Bass Fishing Tips for the Ohio River

Backwaters

Much like the Mississippi, Ohio River has many areas of backwaters formed by the river's dams. These areas are usually large and calm and contain fallen trees. They create backwaters of dense shorelines and pocketed pools. If you have a boat, trolling is a preferred method for catching trophy bass in the Ohio River backwaters.

Pools

Largemouth bass often hide in weedy areas on the edges of dark pools. On the Ohio, four- to 10-foot pools are usually located near areas of moving water. In dammed areas, these drop-offs are along shallow, weedy areas. If you are fishing pools, work your bait along weed lines, to lure fish out of their dark haunts.

Bait and Lures

River bass commonly feed off a variety of live fare that float along with undercurrents and other natural movements of the water. In moving water, diving lures, jigs and spinners are preferred. In backwaters, plastic worms, crank and jerk baits, plugs and live bait near weed lines, pools and shorelines, are usually enough to lure lunkers out of hiding.

Spring Fishing

In spring on the Ohio, crank baits, plugs, spinners, and plastic worms are suitable in the backwaters. In moving water, you will favor jigs, diving lures and live bait. When females are spawning, males will protect beds, making top water baits the lures of choice in the mornings and early evenings. During the day, crank baits and jigs are suitable in the deeps.

Summer Fishing

Ohio River largemouth commonly begin their summer feeding habits shortly after females spawn. The species prefers shallow water and shorelines when the water is cool (mornings, evenings). During the day, bass will head for deeper water and hide in dark pools. Top water, buzz baits and live bait are preferred in the shallows, while spinners, crank bait, plastic worms and jigs worked in pools and deep water are suitable methods. Troll the backwaters during midday heat.

Late Summer and Fall

Depending on the area along the Ohio and weather conditions, largemouth bass head to deeper waters as summer turns into fall. While some anglers choose to abandoned bass fishing during fall, many find success in deep waters and the southwestern areas of the river. While the fish will be bit sluggish, jigs, live bait (leeches, night crawlers, crayfish, minnows) and buzz baits will produce fish.