Well now, if you’re out there by the river, fishin’ for something good, I reckon you’ve heard of them river runt lures. They ain’t nothing new, you know. Been around for a long time, and they sure work if you know how to use ‘em right. These lures got their start way back in the day, around the 1890s, when a fella by the name of James Heddon tossed one into a pond up in Dowagiac, Michigan. And I’ll tell ya, that little throw sure made waves—literally and figuratively. It was like a whole new world opened up for fishin’.
Now, let me tell you, a river runt lure ain’t your average ol’ bait. No, it’s a special kind of thing that’ll catch you all sorts of fish, especially them smallmouth bass that like to hang out by the river rocks. These lures, they ain’t big and fancy, just small and lively, like a little critter swimming around. That’s what gets them fish goin’—they think it’s real, something they can grab and take home for dinner.
Why do they work so well?
Well, I reckon it’s all about how they move in the water. When you cast that river runt out, it wiggles and jerks just like a scared little fish or a crayfish tryin’ to skedaddle. Fish, especially them smallmouth bass, can’t resist something that looks like an easy meal. The river runt works real good when you’re fishin’ in a river with strong current, too. That current helps the lure do its dance, just right, so it catches the eye of them fish.
Different lures for different fish
Now, I ain’t saying the river runt is the only one you need. If you’re tryin’ to catch a few trout, well, you might want to look at them in-line spinners, like the rooster tails or Mepps. Them spinners work great, especially when them trout are in the area you’re fishin’. You throw one of them in, and it spins through the water, catching the light and foolin’ them trout into thinkin’ it’s somethin’ tasty to munch on. And don’t forget, topwater lures can be mighty useful, too. In the summer or late fall, when them fish are up near the surface, them topwater lures get the job done just fine.
How to use a river runt
Now, using a river runt lure ain’t too tricky, but it does take a little patience. You cast it out, and you gotta reel it in nice and slow, letting it wiggle just right. If you’re in a river with a little current, that’s even better. The water’ll help the lure move just like a real critter. The trick is to keep a steady hand and don’t rush. The fish, they gotta have time to see it and think about whether they want to take a bite or not.
Some folks, they just cast out and reel in real fast, hoping for a bite, but that ain’t the best way. A slow and steady retrieve works wonders, and sometimes you gotta let it sit for a spell and give them fish a chance to take a good look at it. If you’ve got a little patience, the river runt will do its job.
History and why it matters
As I mentioned before, James Heddon, back in the late 1800s, started the whole artificial lure craze with his hand-made lures. And folks been catchin’ fish with them ever since. Nowadays, there’s all kinds of lures, but the river runt still holds up as one of the best for river fishin’. It’s compact, it’s got that liveliness to it, and it’s been tried and tested over the years. Ain’t that something, huh? A lure that’s been around that long and still does the trick. You can’t argue with success.
Now, if you’re out there on the river and you’re thinking about trying the river runt, just remember—patience is key. Don’t be in too much of a rush, and let that little lure do its thing. Whether you’re after bass, trout, or even some of them other river fish, the river runt’s a good choice. Just make sure to keep an eye on the water, and listen for that splash when a fish bites. That’s the sweet sound of success right there.
And don’t forget, if you’re lookin’ to buy one of these lures, you can even find some special ones in stores now—like them gold ones or them spinners that catch just about everything. But the ol’ river runt? That one’s still a winner, no matter what.
Tags：[river runt lure, fishing lures, smallmouth bass, river fishing, trout fishing, topwater lures, fishing tips, Heddon lures, Mepps spinner, rooster tail]
