Offshore pattern on tidal river?

[20fish19dinks]

I fish the Pascagoula river in south MS, no more than 10 miles from the mouth where she spills into the Gulf. Needless to say, this river is hugely impacted by tides. I can usually find fish during all other seasons, but the DOG DAYS of summer always throw me for a loop. I do a ton of reading, and almost all articles suggest finding some offshore structure as bass prefer deeper water during the hot days.

Does this same rule apply on a tidal river? I find it hard to believe that they will position offshore with such a fast-moving tide working against them... if anyone has some advice, I'd appreciate it!

I normally target deep banks with a steep drop-off, but "deep" for our banks is 10-15 ft.

By the way, 1st post here, I've been reading these forums for quite a while and really enjoy the community!

[bigjim5589]

It may be true that bass will move to deep offshore structure in lakes & reservoirs, and they may in tidal rivers if there is a reason for them to move, however, it's more likely they're still near those areas you've always found them. I don't think they prefer deep water, they just move to deeper water because in hot weather, the deeper water is more comfortable for them, as long as there is sufficient food nearby. I doubt they'll move far away from their food sources.

I also fish tidal rivers, and "deep" in most of them is 10 ft. But our rivers are small & narrow, so not really much "offshore".
I've never thought that bass are inclined to fight a heavy tidal current or any heavy current for that matter. For this time of year, I would be more concerned with salt content. Bass will tolerate a certain amount, but if there is not enough rain to keep the salt within their tolerance range, they'll move away from it. They're also going to be where there is food, so unless your area has a lot of baitfish schools moving in those offshore areas, it's not likely the bass will be there.

Depending on water temperatures, and tidal movements, I would be inclined to continue fishing deep areas adjacent to shore, especially in places where there may be creeks or any other flowing water and lots of vegetation.  Bass in the rivers I fish will usually be found back in the dark areas under overhanging tree's & matted vegetation. This gives them cover, oxygen, and food. They will also be up in small creeks, even in the summer, and especially when there is overhanging tree's. These small streams will often be cooler than the main river, but may only be a couple of feet deep. They may also be suspended in deeper open water, but usually not far from shore, and generally not in places that the tide moves with any great force, unless there is something there to deflect or block the current.

[COUSIN-IT]

I have the same thing here on the Escambia river it surges from the Pensacola bay that surges from the Gulf also. I find that the grass banks hold more fish if the wind is blowing towards it.Or I find schools of bait if possible. If I dont have either I start fishing  real sloooow up to cover with plastics.We really dont have deep water here either. I do have some holes around 15-25 feet deep. But the bream hang out in them and nibble at your worm or take the tassels off your creatures.

[bassindago]

don't feel bad 20fish19dinks i fish the same river and i have the same problem. but i also think the salt water intrusion is a big part of the problem. i tend to fish more to the south instread of running north in the summer to get away from the salt.

[unchained186]

I wonder if you could find a current break offshore like a hump or something like that
I dont know might be worth looking for or trying

[20fish19dinks]

That's what I was thinking Unchained.. because I know most people that fish this river never fish any "offshore" areas, and if I could find a hump or something that the fish might use to protect themselves from the current, I could pick up a limit rather quickly without moving....

Then again, there's probably a reason why I never see anyone fishing open water.

We haven't had much rain so far this summer, and I think the salt does have a lot to do with it. I think the Pascagoula is just a rough river to fish during the hot summers we have down here. I was reading an FLW article about their tournament on the Pascagoula river, and found out the pros nicknamed us "the dead river." They were complaining that 90% of our river looked like it would hold a ton of good fish, while only 5% actually did.

For me personally, I struggle to catch 8-10 pounds during summer tournaments, especially if we get a dog day with blue skies and no wind. Then again, I've only been fishing a few times since the Sheriff's Dept. tournament in June as I've been out of town, so maybe the bite has picked up some since then. (Or maybe not.)

[unchained186]

No way dont have that attitude that maybe there's a reason no one else is fishing out there
The river where I fish everybody does the same thing its so crazy they only throw at the bank they throw the same baits its spinner bait crazy nuts out of this world spinner baits flying every where
I have found a way to catch them offshore and no one else is fishing out there on this river that will never happen I purposely throw the opposite of the bank when I'm on my spots its actually kinda fun some many people stop and ask me what I'm doing they think I'm cat fishing or just retarded I love it but anyway I can go out there right now and wack 30 fish real fast way offshore I have been bringing some friends to video it for me only the ones that I know  will not go hit these spots I know which friends will not fish offshore they will only beat the bank so my spots and secrets are safe

[Captk88]

I fish Pascagoula almost every week, I think its just that there isnt that many big fish in the river! I can usually always go to TBouff in back bay or the Biloxi river and have a way better day than I can in Pascagoula... Just my thoughts I know even with this heat and lack of fresh water, Ive been catching them in 3 feet and less up river. Just going for shade is the biggest thing I look for, plus im not much of a deep water fisherman being from Florida. I do know of a couple places that are deep drops if you wanted to try a more of an off shore type pattern. Ones in Long View Bayou it goes from 5ft to about 40ft in like a 10 yrds the other is up the west just south of Pine Island goes from 20 ft to a 6 ft flat in the middle of the river. Just some interesting spots that might be worth checking out...

[20fish19dinks]

Well I think I've got them figured out now about as well as I'm going to this summer... I've found a couple areas where they consistently school on shad from daylight until about 9:00 a.m, nothing huge, but it would be a quick limit, which is a blessing in itself for a summer tournament on this river. Then I have to slow down and hammer the cover on the bank, preferably nearer to deep water. By the way, any of you guys that fish down here throw a jig? Silly, I know, but I've never caught a bass from this river on a jig, always a T-rig or Shaky head.

[Wildcat26]

You can not lump all rivers into one bag and say thats how you fish them. There are so many varibles.

For tidal rivers how salty is it were you are fishing? Salt water is heavier than fresh water so fishing deeper  off bank you could be fishing salter water.

Theres depth of the river, visiabilty and structure off shore are factors.

Water movement, is always a factor. With the drought conditions here even with tides our water movement has been reduced to a minimum and we have salt water intrusion much farther north that usual. Plus day after day of high temperatures have really slowed down the fishing.

[bassindago]

i have caught some nice fish on jigs. usually a black and blue with a craw trailer or blue pork. i have also caought some on a brown jig with a brown or black trailer.  i have also made some skirts that have the same colors as the bruiser sally. they seem to like it sometimes. with the water being so hot i think its just that you gotta use something slow. i don't know if the rain has made the water temps go down any. but the temps were in the 90's.