Any tips for small creek fishing?

[predatorfish1]

Great news thanks guys. I'm thinking about setting up a tank to keep shiners in stock at my house. Working your way up the chain is one of the coolest things about fishing. I'll catch a few crayfish while i'm at it too. I'll keep my own baitshop. On a lighter note a small frog found his way in my screen door tonight and made the unfortunate decision to hide right next to my tank. I had to throw him in, I don't mind if you hang out back, but breaking and entering isn't taken lightly over here. My smallmouth buried him in two seconds. He's my new enforcer, showing the frogs in the backyard how we roll.

frogs work great on bass!

 

[ryverrat]

I love fishing the small streams in NE PA mostly for trout. First it is best to approach from downstream- the fish face upstream and won't see you as easily. Cast upstream too- use a side cast in order to avoid snags and to make it easier to get under the over hanging brush on the banks (trout love to hang out under the over hanging brush). I mostly use live bait- small flatheads, half of a crawler, small crayfish, and butterworms. Use light line- #4 in low vis green is good with a #10 or #8 hook. I don't use weights unless the water is high, just let the bait drift down to the fish. You can also try casting slightly upstream and reeling in at an angle in front of them. If they are actively hunt they will chase it. Don't get disappointed if they don't hit on first casts - just keep trying. Also don't discount using a bobber to float bait down to them- use a very small bobber. Works when they are not up to chasing bait. Unlike catfish or bass, I don't try to hook them as soon as they grab the bait- watched a lot of trout spit out a hook. I take off the drag and let them run with it for a little. If you plan on doing this, try using barbless hooks to make hook removal easier.