Spring Time at Conowingo Reservoir: Smallmouth Bass on the Move

#conowingo #bassfishing #smallmouth
I filmed this video mid-April 2024 in the upper reaches of the Conowingo Reservoir.
This place is pretty dangerous:
There are three independent dam/spillways that empty into the reservoir.
There are areas with STRONG currents going from 10' deep to 110', then back up to 6' deep, creating giant chaotic upswells that can knock you out of your boat if you're not ready.
There's vast expanses of seemingly featureless water, but with rock outcroppings just under the surface that will destroy your outboard if you hit full speed.
There are whitewater chutes that will suck you into no-go zones between the islands where you can get stuck with no way out.
And then there's the area where the river current meets the big reservoir waves, sometimes clashing and threatening to capsize your boat.
So.... Be careful out there.

[@Jonalexxx]

You always catch such big Smallies! Very nice!👍🏽 some rough water out there tho, be careful!

[@GillRaker79]

Thanks man! The Susquehanna river is a special place. Everywhere else I fish for smallies I catch dinks 😂

[@TravelnFish]

Nice work on another good Smallie session!

[@GillRaker79]

thank you! 2024 is starting off good!

[@guyfoscone3193]

You should try it when its 3 feet lower! Love that area, one of the reasons I bought a jet.

[@GillRaker79]

I have! And you can tell by the condition of my prop lol! I would love to get a jet one day

[@arthuroconnell3356]

I started fishing here at the end of last year putting in at Muddy Creek. Pretty area but sort of scary: lots of rocks just under the surface and constantly changing currents. I only have a small 14 foot v hull with a 7hp outboard so I’m leary of fishing in cold high water until I get a little more familiar with the area.

[@GillRaker79]

I used to put in at Muddy Creek, but the ramp is so steep, my boat swings to the side before i can pull it out, so I've been launching at dorsey park. You are right, it's an intimidating body of water. I had to scope it out with my kayak first before bringing my boat. You could always run up there slowly when the water is lower and clearer, being careful of the rocks you mentioned. Once you see the route, it's easy to repeat. Good luck this year!

[@arthuroconnell3356]

So that’s why I have such a hard time getting my boat back on the trailer. I started bringing a small Jack so I could get it back on the rollers and I just irdered some new guides

[@Fishboy68]

Thanks for sharing i been there also when it was lower it is scary.Going up you need to stay to the right it looks like?

[@GillRaker79]

That’s actually a good idea

[@GillRaker79]

@Fishboy68 for the most part. There are a handful of big boulders on the right as well, so I stay at least 50 ft from the right bank

[@emmettfitzhume7424]

Great videos. I do have a question. I'm guessing you have a jet Motor on the back of the boat? I wanted to go up that far before but don't have one. Thanks

[@GillRaker79]

Thank you! I do not have a jet motor, but my prop is pretty banged up from scouting out areas like this and up river near Harrisburg. It’s a pretty straight shot up to the headwaters, just go slow the first time you try it and look out for underwater boulders. Good luck!

[@emmettfitzhume7424]

@@GillRaker79 Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Hope to see you out there keep up the good work on the videos.