Known for its healthy smallmouth bass fishery, the Susquehanna River is a major watershed that drains much of central and eastern Pennsylvania into upper Chesapeake Bay. At 444 miles long, it is the longest river on the East Coast. While the Susquehanna is a smallmouth factory under many conditions, Mike Accord of Susquehanna Fishing Tackle favors stained water when the river is rising or stable.

“The Susquehanna River is one of the most incredible smallmouth fisheries in the Northeast. However, it does not fish like normal fisheries due to its rising and falling river conditions and water clarity. My favorite technique to stay on good fishing all year is the Chatterbait. It is not specific to a certain time of the year here, but specific to river conditions. I like to fish the Chatterbait in stained water that results from rising water, as well as stained water during stable water flow conditions. I like to fish a 3/8-ounce Jackhammer by Z-Man in areas with less current and in slow-moving water conditions, then I will jump up to the ½-ounce in higher water and moving current. Colors play a factor as well; I usually fish a green pumpkin pattern or black and blue, but most importantly, I like the black blade on any color Chatterbait. Be sure to play around with trailers, but early season, I like shad patterns like the Gary Yamamoto Zako Shad. Mid-season, I switch to a crawfish-style pattern and use trailers such as the Z-Man Turbo Craw.”

Rod and Reel: Shimano Bantam 7.1:1 on a Shimano Expride 7’2″ MH Fast

Line: 16-Pound Shimano Mastiff Fluorocarbon

Bait: Z-Man Jackhammer