How to Fish Holston River: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Holston River

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Nov 13, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Holston River

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-65	Pre-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in shallow to moderate depths, particularly around current breaks and transition areas	River channel edges and current breaks where slower water meets main flow Shallow shoals and flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas Protected coves and points that warm up first in spring	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to current breaks Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily through transition areas Tubes worked along rocky areas and shoals	Baitfish schools moving shallow with warming water Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-65	Fish moving into shallower water (2-8 feet) near shoals and protected areas for spawning, with males establishing and guarding nests Pre-spawn feeding actively in transitional areas between winter holes and spawning flats, particularly during warming trends	Protected shoal areas with gravel or rocky substrate in 2-8 feet of water Transition areas between deeper river channels and spawning flats Current breaks near spawning areas providing rest zones	Tubes worked slowly along gravel and rocky areas Ned Rigs with subtle presentations for pressured fish Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding pre-spawn fish	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish in transitional areas Minnows gathering in spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily in moderate current areas near deeper water access Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, showing increased aggression and feeding activity	River channel edges adjacent to spawning flats Shoals with moderate current and access to deeper pools Rocky points and ledges near current breaks	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked with the current Tubes dragged along bottom structure Drop Shot worked vertically in deeper holes	Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation Small baitfish schools in current breaks Juvenile shad beginning to appear	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-78	Active in early morning and evening, particularly during calm conditions, with aggressive topwater feeding behavior Utilizing current breaks and channel edges as primary feeding zones, moving between fast and slow water Sight-feeding actively in clear water conditions, requiring longer casts and natural presentations	River channel edges where current meets slower water Shallow shoals during low light periods Deeper, slower pools during bright midday periods	Hard Topwater (Walking) during calm, low light conditions Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) along channel edges Drop Shot in clear water when fish are less aggressive	Minnows - primary forage based on recent reports Crawfish - secondary forage in river system	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Holston River

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	61-72	Actively feeding on shad and minnows in river system, with fish congregating on shoals and showing aggressive chase behavior Moving between shallow shoal areas and deeper pools as water temperatures fluctuate, staying more active in 61-72°F range	River shoals and mid-river structures where baitfish schools are present Current breaks near river channels with 2000+ cfs flow Transitional areas between fast and slower-moving water	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked with the current flow Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to shoals Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure	Shad (particularly 1-2 inch size class) Minnows in river channels Crawfish in shoal areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	42-58	Smallmouth are transitioning between faster and slower water areas, with larger fish still actively feeding in current Fish are showing preference for deeper, slower pools but will move to faster water during warm winter afternoons	Deep, slow pools adjacent to river channels Areas above and below shoals with moderate current Ledges near deeper wintering holes	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through deeper pools Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during afternoon warming periods Blade Baits worked vertically in deeper holes	Minnows concentrated in slower, deeper pools Crawfish in rocky areas and near ledges	Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors Natural Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Holston River

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	River channel edges and current breaks where slower water meets main flow	Shallow shoals and flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Protected shoal areas with gravel or rocky substrate in 2-8 feet of water	Transition areas between deeper river channels and spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	River channel edges adjacent to spawning flats	Shoals with moderate current and access to deeper pools
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	River channel edges where current meets slower water	Shallow shoals during low light periods
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	River shoals and mid-river structures where baitfish schools are present	Current breaks near river channels with 2000+ cfs flow
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep, slow pools adjacent to river channels	Areas above and below shoals with moderate current

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Baitfish schools moving shallow with warming water	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish in transitional areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation	Small baitfish schools in current breaks
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Minnows - primary forage based on recent reports	Crawfish - secondary forage in river system
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad (particularly 1-2 inch size class)	Minnows in river channels
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Minnows concentrated in slower, deeper pools	Crawfish in rocky areas and near ledges

Bait Colors by Season for Holston River

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors Natural Craw Colors

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