Chasing River Bass: Brayden & Brad’s Willamette Adventure | Road Hunter Podcast

Join Brayden and Brad on this episode of the Road Hunter Podcast as we dive into our latest bass fishing adventure on the beautiful Willamette River. From early morning launches to mid-river bites, we share the highs, the misses, and everything in between. We caught a mix of smallmouth and largemouth bass, tested new lures, and soaked up the Oregon summer. Whether you’re a die-hard angler or just love a good river story, this one’s for you!

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Related: escouting for fish.

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The 12-Mile Float Nobody Planned For

What sounded like “a couple bends and two hours” turned into 12.3 miles of paddling from Independence to Wallace Marine Park. Everyone in both kayaks estimated three to five miles before launching. Lesson learned: verify float distance before committing, and know that several boat ramps along the route could turn one long float into two manageable ones.

Reading the Seam Mid-Float

The best fish came from dropping wacky worms right on the seam between fast and slow current, letting the bait sink before working it. A handful of fish also came off submerged rock beds and the foam swirling around old dock pilings: structure plus current break is the pattern, not one specific type of cover.

Counting the Catch: 15+ Fish Across Four Boats

Between four kayaks, the group landed somewhere around 15-17 smallmouth and largemouth bass, with one fish in the 3-5 pound range that brought everyone’s attention. That’s a serious bass day for a river most people overlook entirely for trout water.

• Confirm float distance and look up access points before committing to a long stretch of river
• Target current seams, rock beds, and structure around pilings, not open flat water
• Wacky-rigged soft plastics with O-rings let you reuse the same bait through multiple fish

FAQ: Float Fishing the Willamette for Bass

How long does a Willamette River bass float take?

Distances vary widely by put-in and take-out point. Always confirm actual river mileage rather than estimating, since stretches that look short on a map can run 10+ miles by water.

What’s the best bait for smallmouth and largemouth bass in Oregon rivers?

Wacky-rigged soft plastic worms worked along current seams and rock structure produce consistently for both species in Willamette Valley rivers.

Bring more time than you think you need, and the bass fishing on this river will surprise you. Thanks for watching.