From shore at a public boat ramp in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, what lures should I use?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

prep

From the shore along the St. Lawrence near Prescott, you’re fishing a classic smallmouth setup: current seams, rocky shelves, and weed edges. Mid-summer on the river typically means shallow bite early and a deeper hold as the sun climbs. Here’s a practical, bass-focused plan you can mix and match right from the ramp. 🎣

- **Topwater for the morning bite** 🐟🌅
  - Target: shallow rocks and current edges just after first light. 
  - Lures: a small popper or a walking-style topwater plug in natural shad or white. Cast to edges where water drops off or around boulders; you’ll often see a wake or a follow before the strike. 
  - Why it works: smallmouth are opportunistic and will ambush a bait on the hunt at first light. 
  - See real-world tips here: [St Lawrence River (Summer time) baits that work well!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L74_Tl21mlk) and [What to Use on the St. Lawrence River in the Summer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZfrgpuR9qs).

- **Shallow-water patterns as the sun rises higher** 🧭
  - Lures: 
    - **Football jig (1/8–1/4 oz) with a craw or resemblance bait** for rocky humps and ledges. 
    - **Small swimbaits or tubes (3–4 in)** fished around weed edges and current breaks. 
  - Why: these entice smallmouth hugging the bottom and structure when the water warms. 
  - Color tips: green pumpkin, natural shad, or watermelon with red/orange accents.

- **Crankbait and squarebill action for drop-offs** 🔊
  - Lures: shallow-diving crankbaits or squarebills (~2–6 ft). Choose natural colors that match local forage. 
  - Use: bounce along rock faces and along bait balls where the current keeps water moving. 
  - Pro tip: keep the boat ramp clean by using a quick, tight rod sweep so you don’t foul weed around the edge. 
  - Helpful video guidance: [How to Fish the St Lawrence River (Alex bay/Chippewa bay)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqOlkpzvyN0).

- **Spinnerbaits and chatter/blad keys for stained water** 🌊
  - Lures: a compact spinnerbait (3/8 oz) or a small chatterbait for stained pockets and near weed lines. 
  - Color: chartreuse on muddy days or natural shad in clearer water. 
  - Why: creates vibration and a tempting footprint in river current.

- **Ned rig or finesse plastics for the clean, clear edges** 🪶
  - Lures: 3–4 inch stickworms or tubes on light jig heads (1/16–1/8 oz). 
  - Usage: fish close to weed edges or current seams where smallmouth suspend a bit off the bottom.

- **Gear and presentation basics**
  - Line: 8–12 lb fluorocarbon or fluorocarbon-coated braid for sensitivity and abrasion resistance along rocks. 
  - Rods: a medium-light to medium rod with a forgiving tip to feel light taps from the river’s smallmouth. 
  - Retrieve: vary speeds; be ready to pause, especially around rocky cover where smallmouth typically snap in the moment you slack the lure.

- **Weather tips (mid-summer, Prescott)**
  - Weather conditions today show hot, partly cloudy conditions with a modest wind (~13 mph). In heat, bass tend to push to shade and deeper current edges during the peak sun. Start with early-morning topwater, then shift to mid-water and bottom presentations as the day warms. If you see clear water and bright sun, lean toward natural colors and slower retrieves near structure. 🕶️☀️
  - Weather-specific fishing tip: on hot, sunny days, focus on current seams where oxygenated water moves along rocky shelves; this is where smallmouth feed and ambush. 
  - Weather summary: Mid-summer in Prescott typically means hot days with crisp mornings, moderate to strong sun, and reliable river current; adjust your pattern as water temps rise.

- *Quick, practical tip*: keep a small 1/8 oz or 3/16 oz Ned rig ready for quick checks along weed edges; a small change in fall or pause can trigger the bite when the fish are finicky in bright light.

- *Seasonal, weather-informed lure list*:
  - From YouTube insights: [Alex Bay/Chippewa Bay methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqOlkpzvyN0) and [St. Lawrence River summer tactics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUNEf_Non4Q).
  - Product ideas: consider beginner-friendly kits that cover many patterns, like [FONMANG 322-Piece Fishing Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9PYRD9T?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) and [THKFISH Fishing Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJSR32G4?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1).

- Stay patient, read the water, and adjust as the river teaches you. With the right lures and a smart shore game, you’ll log some solid Prescott smallmouth. Tight lines and good photos ahead! 🎣💪

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