SPRUCE RUN RESERVOIR
Spruce Run Reservoir is another impoundment with a sizable population of largemouth bass, but there hasn't been much in the way of smallmouth action at this 1,290-acre body of water in Hunterdon County.

The water level at Spruce Run is determined by three feeder creeks: Spruce Run Creek, located to the northeast side of the lake and paralleling state Route 31; Black Brook to the north; and Mulhockaway Creek at the impoundment's southwestern-most point.

So who cares what creeks are feeding the reservoir, or where they are located? You -- Mr. or Ms. Bass Angler -- should care, because the points where each of those creeks enters into the reservoir are the areas where some extremely fine bigmouth fishing can be found.

In addition, when afloat, anglers will be able to see a set of high-tension powerlines running just southeast of Mulhockaway Creek's feeder stream. And those little coves and dropoffs within the area of the powerlines are where the big bass hang out.

At each of the three feeder creek points, try a variety of live baits, ranging from fathead minnows, shiners and yes, even crawdads. Based on personal experience, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

ROUND VALLEY RESERVOIR
Round Valley Reservoir is best known for its big lakers and rainbow trout. But there's also some fantastic smallmouth and largemouth fishing to be found at this bowl-shaped impound.

At 2,350 surface-acres of water and plumbing to depths of 160 feet, the edges of "the valley" offer surprisingly good bass fishing. Remember, this is the impoundment that produced the current state-record smallmouth for Carol Marciniak in 1990, and has produced some bragging-size bucketmouths as well.

Remember the rule about bass fishing for the big ones that goes, "There are no rules"? When Carol Marciniak boated her smallmouth, she was drifting a minnow somewhere far from shore.

But don't smallmouths prefer rocky regions where there is an abundance of baits such as crawfish? And largemouths like to skirt the weeds. I'd hazard a guess that to a bass, the weed cover is somewhat like living in an underwater forest. So Marciniak's smallie just serves to illustrate there are no hard and fast rules.

Nevertheless, if you're interested in smallmouths, try the rocky areas of the lake's eastern shoreline, or the riprap just to the east of the south tower.