Passaic River - Exploring for Smallies 07/13

[basskicker]

Moving to a new house in a few months that is only 10minutes from the Passaic River in Fairlawn. I decided to check out my new home water and continue trying to learn the river and how to fish it. I launched in Fairlawn and fished different ripple systems for smallies. I ended up with 6 small smallies on drifted senkos or tiny torpedos. Almost hooked into a pike near a laydown but she came off (probably best since it was on an xrap). I did see some monster topwater attacks closer to shore in slower water but I couldn't get any takers.

Any tips on how to find bigger smallmouth in the area would be appreciated!

here is a pic of the best one to prove it happened

[Skunk City]

Not too much fishing pressure in that section. We explored up to the fish weir last summer in my friend's boat. Lots of Smallies in those rocky areas. We had them almost non-stop last year one day on J-9 (I think) jointed Rapalas. No beasts, but good fish up to 16".