| One of the most enjoyable fish to catch is | | | | bait in a natural manner. For example, a |
| freshwater is the Smallmouth Bass. This fish | | | | live worm should look like a live worm, not |
| is widely known as the hardest fighting fish, | | | | like a "worm ball". And what does a live |
| pound for pound, that swims in freshwater, | | | | worm look like? It looks like a worm, |
| and for good reason. If you've never had the | | | | outstretched, the way God intended. And |
| pleasure of hooking into a three to five | | | | what's the best way to present a live worm |
| pound Smallmouth Bass, put it on the top of | | | | outstretched, the way God intended? Through |
| your list. Hooking into a Smallmouth this | | | | the use of a set of pre-tied gang hooks. |
| size is as much fun as can be had with your | | | | Gang hooks allow you to present live worms |
| clothes on. For the purposes of this article | | | | outstretched and naturally, which increase |
| I'm going to discuss some fishing tips that | | | | the amount of bites and hook-ups that you |
| are helpful when fishing for Smallmouth Bass | | | | receive, it's as simple as that. |
| in the moving water of rivers and streams. | | | | |
| | | | The way to set up your rig is this: begin by |
| Many anglers may not realize it, but | | | | grabbing the end of your line and attaching a |
| Smallmouth Bass are prevalent in many rivers | | | | small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). Now |
| and streams throughout North America, and can | | | | attach a pre-tied set of gang hooks to the |
| be fished for in much the same way that one | | | | opposite end of the barrel swivel. The goal |
| fishes for trout in rivers and streams. As a | | | | is to have your offering bounce off the |
| matter of fact, I use fishing for and | | | | bottom, as it flows naturally with the |
| catching Smallmouth bass as a way to "stay in | | | | current, so add a couple of split shot |
| shape" for my trophy trout fishing. After | | | | sinkers to your line above your barrel swivel |
| battling a nice three to four pound | | | | for weight. The number of split shot will |
| Smallmouth bass on my ultra light gear, I'm | | | | vary with the current flow, so this is a |
| ready for anything a nice Rainbow or Brown | | | | judgment call. Experimentation is the key to |
| trout can throw at me. | | | | getting the proper amount of weight. Once |
| | | | the proper number of split shot is achieved, |
| The first tip I have is to have an efficient | | | | your offering will "bounce" along the bottom |
| way to carry your bait while fishing for | | | | as it flows downstream. Telling the |
| Smallmouth bass in your favorite river or | | | | difference between bottom and a bite is easy |
| stream. If you're fishing in a river or | | | | with a little practice. The last thing you |
| stream, it means that you'll be moving around | | | | need to do is add a live worm to your set of |
| a lot, wading from here to there and such. | | | | gang hooks (if you happen to be using night |
| Carrying your bait efficiently is a must, so | | | | crawlers, simply pinch them in ½). |
| that valuable fishing time doesn't get wasted | | | | |
| trying to figure out where you put your bait. | | | | If you use the rig explained above, you will |
| I used to waste time digging through my | | | | begin catching more Smallmouth Bass. These |
| pockets, trying to remember where I stuffed | | | | fishing tips aren't at all complicated, as a |
| my bait, until I came across the answer to | | | | matter of fact they're simple, but that |
| this problem. The answer is called a bait | | | | doesn't make them any less effective. I've |
| bag, and it's the best way that I've ever | | | | been fishing for Smallmouth Bass using both |
| seen to carry live bait such as worms, while | | | | of these tips for many years with almost |
| fishing. If you've never tried a bait bag, | | | | amazing success. Never forget what Steven |
| do yourself a favor and give one a shot. | | | | Wright said of us anglers, "There's a fine |
| You'll wonder how you ever fished without it. | | | | line between fishing and just standing on the |
| | | | shore looking like an idiot." I couldn't |
| The second tip I have for fishing for | | | | agree more, and these simple tips will help |
| Smallmouth bass in the flowing water of a | | | | you avoid the 'looking like an idiot' part of |
| river or stream is to always present your | | | | that quote. |