Great Smallmouth Bass Technique

One of the most effective techniques for catching Smallmouth Bass is in the flowing water of a river or stream. Smallmouth can be fished for in much the same way that one fishes for trout. As a matter of fact, smallmouth bass in rivers and streams can be great practice for trout fishing. The bottom line is that if you strap on your waders and head out for some Smallmouth action, this technique is for you. Not only is this a great smallmouth technique, it's also as simple as it gets. To use this technique, you're only going to need 4 things, and a river or stream that has smallmouth bass in it! You're going to need small barrel swivels, Split shot sinkers, gang hooks, and live worms. You should also have things like hemostats for hook removal, a bait bag for carrying your live worms, and a good attitude, but the 4 things above (in bold) are the only things you need. It doesn't get much simpler than that. This technique truly is the essence of simplicity, and once mastered, is an incredible technique for all types of fish.Begin by grabbing the end of your line, and tying on a small barrel swivel. Now tie a set of gang hooks on the opposite side of the barrel swivel. Now add two or three split shots onto your line above the swivel itself (you need enough weight to get you to the bottom, so this varies by how much current you're fishing in). Now, add a live worm to the set of gang hooks. If the worm is huge, break it in half. You want the worm to be outstretched and natural. This is the rig. It's as simple as that.Now cast out parallel to yourself and let the offering flow downstream naturally. The goal is to bounce your offering off of the bottom, as it flows naturally downstream. When your offering is directly below you, the drift is over, reel in and repeat. With practice, the bottom and bites feel totally different. Remember, the goal is to bounce your worm off the bottom as it flows naturally with the current. In order to do this you will have to add and/or remove split shot as necessary. The nature of this technique does lead to getting snagged from time to time. As my mentor used to tell me all the time, " If your not getting snagged, you're not fishing in the right place." Getting snagged is simply part of the technique, and no big deal once you see how effective it is.Give this wonderful, yet amazingly simple technique a try sooner rather than later. As soon as you hook and land a 3-pound smallmouth bass, you'll be the one that's hooked, rather than just the fish. This technique is equally as effective on trout, so keep that in mind as well. The most important aspect of this technique is the gang hooks. You see, gang hooks enable you to present the worm in a completely natural manner, which as you will find is an integral part of this technique.

Article Source: free-articles-zone.com

Low Water Tactics For River Smallies

Low water levels call for a completely different set of tactics when it comes to hunting down and catching smallmouth bass in our river systems. I will start by saying this, some anglers will tell you low water equals bad smallmouth bass fishing, this my friend could not be further from the truth! In fact I look forward to low water levels, low water levels can spark some of the best smallmouth bass fishing of the season, hands down. So follow along and I will introduce you to some of tactics I use to entice low water smallmouths into being caught.
Depending on the river system you are fishing one factor has to be taken into consideration during these low water situations, the spook factor. So I begin to become very stealthy, making very long casts and trying not to run right up on any holes or pools that may be holding bass.
One place you will rarely find smallmouth bass during low water periods are in dead water, or almost dead water. If there is little or no moving water, move on find and fish the low ends of riffles that turn into pools or even the riffles themselves. Many times bait fish will move into faster water because there is more oxygen, in turn smallmouth bass will be close behind .
Grass beds are a hot spot for smallmouth bass during low water conditions and you will find them in and around riffles, the edges of riffles and pooling water coming out of riffles. Work these grass beds from different angles, cast beyond them and bring your baits by, along and over them from different directions. But keep in mind the spook factor, make fairly long calculated casts!
Islands in river systems are also a hot spot for smallmouth bass in low water conditions. I will usually start fishing the lower end of an island and then work my way up the sides of the island. Smallmouth bass will hold close to the shorelines waiting to ambush any food source that the current may wash past them. So make sure you place your casts right up against the shoreline and then bring it out from the edge and into current. The upper ends of these islands can also produce hot smallmouth bass action. This is assuming theres a good push of water around the island.
Deep holes and eddies at the ends of riffles will offer up the best chance for catching the big ones. Remember though stay away from the dead water! It is more times than not just that, dead water! Smallmouth bass need plenty of oxygen to survive which can be found in swiftly moving water or swiftly moving water pushing into eddies and holes. Also don’t count out the riffles themselves I have nailed many smallmouth bass that were running extremely fast water, many times you’ll find them tucked up behind rocks and logs within the riffles themselves.
Different baits are going to produce differently from river to river, though here are a few of my favorite low water smallmouth bass baits. Rebel Pop-R’s, Zoom grubs and Gizit tubes in natural colors. Helgramites are a live bait that work very well for me in these conditions, they can be found along most river systems. You can also buy them though they are very expensive. They normally run $8.00 to $12.00 per dozen in these parts.
The next time someone tells you water level are to low to do any smallmouth bass fishing, grab your pole and head to the river, chances are your going to have a great day fishing!
Due to weather variables and anglers’ preferences, I did not concentrate on lure selection for this article. For the record, I prefer plastics and in-line spinners during extreme low water river conditions. The above mentioned tactics are just a guide that may help you locate and land smallies during low water conditions, they are in no way a panacea for low river smallie success.

Article Source: discoverfishing.net