Full Day Bass Fishing Trip On Susquehanna River
Private Trip
River Fishing
Eighthour guided trip targeting trophy Smallmouth Bass with expert guideMaster Guide Victor Campbell provides 35+ years of specialized river experienceAll fishing equipment included with maximum two guests per trip
When you want to chase trophy smallmouth bass in one of Pennsylvania's most consistent fisheries, there's no better choice than spending a full day on the Susquehanna with Master Guide Victor Campbell. Just north of Harrisburg, this stretch of river has built a reputation among serious bass anglers for producing quality fish year after year. Victor brings over three decades of guiding experience to every trip, and his deep knowledge of the river's seasonal patterns means you'll be fishing the right spots with the right techniques at the right time. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip—it's a serious 8-hour pursuit of bronze-backed smallmouth that'll test your skills and leave you with stories worth telling.
Your day starts at 7:00 AM sharp, when the river is still quiet and the bass are actively feeding. Victor knows that early morning bite can make or break a trip, so you'll be positioned on productive water before most folks even have their coffee. The Susquehanna north of Harrisburg offers everything a smallmouth bass could want—rocky ledges, deep pools, current breaks, and boulder fields that create the perfect ambush points. Victor's approach focuses on reading the water and adapting to what the fish are telling you. Some days they'll be shallow and aggressive, crushing topwater baits in the early light. Other days, you'll need to work deeper structure with finesse presentations. That's where Victor's experience really shines—he's seen it all and knows how to adjust when Plan A isn't working. You'll cover a lot of water during those 8 hours, moving between his proven honey holes and exploring new spots based on current conditions. The guest capacity is limited to just two anglers, so you'll get personalized attention and coaching throughout the day. All your rods, reels, and tackle are provided, which means you can focus entirely on fishing instead of worrying about gear selection.
The Susquehanna's character changes dramatically throughout the season, and Victor has dialed in the most effective techniques for each scenario. During the spring, when water temperatures are climbing and bass are moving shallow to spawn, you'll work the rocky shorelines and protected coves with soft plastics and crankbaits. Summer fishing shifts focus to deeper ledges and current seams, where drop-shotting and Carolina rigging become your bread and butter. Fall brings some of the year's best action as bass chase baitfish in open water, making it prime time for spinnerbaits and swimbaits. The river's structure is what makes this fishery so special—massive boulder fields create current breaks that hold bass throughout the year, while deep channels provide thermal refuges during temperature extremes. Victor understands how smallmouth relate to this structure and positions the boat to give you the best presentations. He's not afraid to move if the bite slows down, and his knowledge of backup spots means you're always fishing productive water. The tackle selection reflects the diverse nature of smallmouth fishing—you might start the morning throwing a buzzbait over shallow rocks, switch to a tube jig for deeper structure, then finish the day pitching a jerkbait to suspended fish. Victor handles all the tactical decisions about lure selection and presentation, but he'll also explain his reasoning so you can apply these lessons on your own water.
Smallmouth bass are the undisputed kings of the Susquehanna River system, and for good reason. These bronze-backed fighters are built for the river's rocky environment and fast currents, developing the kind of muscle that makes every hookup feel like you've tied into something twice its size. The average fish runs between 12 and 16 inches, but the river regularly produces 18-plus inch trophies that'll put a serious bend in your rod. What makes Susquehanna smallmouth special is their aggressive nature and willingness to chase down a well-presented lure. They're opportunistic feeders that key on crayfish, minnows, and juvenile game fish, which means they'll hit everything from topwater baits to deep-diving crankbaits depending on conditions. Spring is prime time for big females loaded with eggs, while fall fishing can produce incredible numbers as bass feed heavily before winter. The best part about targeting smallmouth on the Susquehanna is their fighting ability—they'll jump, run, and bulldoze their way around structure in ways that'll test both your drag settings and your nerves. Victor knows where these fish live during different seasons and water conditions, from the shallow spawning flats of May to the deep wintering holes of December. The river's year-round bass season means you can chase these fish in any month, though the best action typically runs from April through October when water temperatures keep the bass active and aggressive.
If you're serious about smallmouth bass fishing and want to experience one of the Northeast's top-rated river fisheries, this trip with Victor Campbell delivers everything you're looking for. His 35 years of guiding experience, combined with the Susquehanna's reputation for consistent bass fishing, creates the kind of day on the water that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The full-day format gives you enough time to really learn the river and develop a feel for how these bass behave in different situations. You'll leave with new techniques in your arsenal and a better understanding of how to read river structure for smallmouth. Remember to bring your valid Maryland fishing license, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks for the day—Victor handles everything else. The limited capacity means spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season, and deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly. Whether you're looking to improve your smallmouth techniques, experience world-class bass fishing, or just spend a day on one of Pennsylvania's best rivers with a master guide, this trip delivers the goods. Book your date now and get ready for 8 hours of serious bass fishing on water that's produced trophy smallmouth for generations of anglers.
Your bass fishing headquarters is an 18-foot Rockproof center console built to handle the Susquehanna's currents and rocky structure. This reliable fishing machine comfortably seats 2 anglers with plenty of room to work your lures and fight those hard-charging smallmouth bass. The boat comes fully rigged with quality rods and reels, so you can travel light and focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat. An onboard fish finder helps locate bass holding tight to river ledges and underwater structure where the big ones like to hide. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for casting to shoreline cover or working mid-river drop-offs where trophy smallmouth patrol. Built tough for river fishing, this boat cuts through the water smoothly while Master Guide Victor positions you over the most productive bass water the Susquehanna has to offer.
Susquehanna River