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