LEWISBURG, Pa. — Kayak anglers heading into the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Susquehanna River scored by TourneyX could be approaching a smallmouth bonanza, and Pennsylvania angler Nick Audi believes there will be plenty of ways to catch these brown beauties during the event.
“The bass are everywhere,” Audi, a Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year competitor, said. “It is a world-class smallmouth fishery. It is perfect for kayak fishing. In the summertime when we are here, it’s even too low for the jet boats to run.”
Tournament days are scheduled for July 27-28 with the full field competing both days. All competitors will earn points toward the Angler of the Year race. Lewisburg, Pa., will serve as home base for anglers, who will be able to launch from any of the public launches outlined in the official rules.
The Susquehanna River is quickly becoming a favorite destination for kayak anglers looking to catch numbers and quality of smallmouth bass. Last year, Indiana’s Josh Chrenko won the Kayak Series finale at the Susky with a two-day total of 194 inches. Audi believes it could take similar quality to win this time around, too.
Audi said the Susquehanna River is normally at its lowest and clearest point of the year. Water flow is also the slowest it will be at any point, barring a major rainstorm.
“The smallmouth will be well into their summer pattern,” he said. “The number one thing to look at will be water level and water clarity. They go hand-in-hand. Normally the river is really low and clear. There will be a lot of topwater (action). That will be a huge deal.”
With the water low, anglers will be able to see many of the pieces of cover the bass will be holding on. Eelgrass is prominent on this section of the river and an important piece of cover for smallmouth.
Rock, wood and other current breaks will come into play as well, especially if the water rises some.
“There will be some bass on the bank with backs out of the water,” Audi said. “Not really holding onto anything, either. They just cruise around pinning bait against the bank. Eelgrass is a huge player at that time of year. There’s also so much rock in the river. They’ll hold on wood too, but not as much as during the higher-water scenarios.
“Current breaks are the overarching category of cover.”
Several different baits will come into play, including topwater baits like Whopper Ploppers and buzzbaits, flukes, ChatterBaits and finesse presentations like a Ned rig or shaky head. With how shallow the water is, Audi generally tries to throw the most weedless presentation he can.
The event is being hosted by the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau.
