bass fishing tips

Canada provides some of the world's best fishing. Summer season opens in March and ends late in July. Many anglers head for the variety of fish found within Canada's border.

The lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers provide perfect habitats for an ample amount fish, and this multiplicity provides a variety of challenges for any type of fisherman. The geographical diversity found in Canada also offers opportunities for saltwater fishing, ice fishing, and fly-fishing.

Smallmouth bass is one of the popular species found from Ontario, Canadas Great Lakes shoals to scenic, glacial lakes of the Canadian Shield and in thousands of rivers, creeks, and lakes in between.

Smallmouth bass are often-discussed. Nearly every fishing magazine contains a story or two where the writer extolled this fish as a hard-hitting, scrappy-fighting, aerial acrobat of the sunfish family. Those who have experienced smallmouth angling know that this praise is justified.

Little wonder should exist that there has been in recent years renewed interest in fishing for this species. Smallmouth, although plentiful only in places with select habitat, are distributed throughout the state. Many anglers need to travel only a short distance for a chance to fish for this fierce fighter of the black bass family.

Smallmouth bass are most often bronze to brownish green in color, with dark vertical bars on the sides. In contrast to the Largemouth bass, the upper jaw does not extend beyond rear margin of eye. Its Eye is reddish in color and shallow notch in dorsal fin. Soft dorsal fin has 13 to 15 rays. These species prefer to stay in rocky habitats in streams and lakes with clear waters.

In streams, these creatures fed on minnows and crayfish while in lakes, they consumed shad and crayfish.

Smallmouth bass also inhabit a wide range of water - there are "deep" and "shallow" bass and they are a schooling fish - meaning if you catch one there's a good chance there are several others in the area. Bass generally stick close to the bottom or near structure like humps and saddles. As ambush predators, bass need cover to feed successfully so casting accuracy and presentation are key elements to consider when fishing for them.

Over the years, many anglers and clients express their frustration at trying to catch smallmouth bass. Legends and masters do exist in bass fishing. Ones who are everyday men in every way but when they are on the water with a bass casting rod in hand they transform and transcend their ordinary existence.

And according to these experts, in order to catch smallmouth bass in streams, cast upstream and let the bait drift into pools and behind objects that break the current, such as boulders and snags when fishing with hellgrammites crayfish or some other live bait weighted with split shot. Anglers fishing from a boat also may anchor upstream from boulders and other smallmouth hangouts. Cast downstream and let the current hold the bait where it is likely to attract a smallmouth from this position.

In making live bait from boats, drop anchor over a smallmouth structure and lower crayfish and/or minnows straight down to the bass. The more legal lines you have in the water the better. Although smallmouths lie directly beneath the boat, it may take several minutes before they respond. When one bass does take bait, the ensuing battle rouses bass nearby into action. Get fresh bait back into the water as soon as possible after landing a bass to keep the feeding frenzy going.

The effective lures for smallmouth are those that resemble minnows, plastic worms and streamer flies while live baits include minnows, hellgrammites and crayfish. Drop anchor over a smallmouth structure and lower crayfish straight down to the bass.

As you clock more and more bass-fishing hours you will acquire a knack for choosing the right lure and technique for the right situation. The best advice is to examine the fishing conditions, ask for guidance from anglers familiar with the waters you are fishing, and, finally, to try many different lures and bass-fishing techniques until you discover what works most effectively.

Locating and catching smallmouth is a real challenge. That is why it is really so much fun. Of course the real reason why we all enjoy fishing is the fun and camaraderie we experience with our friends and family. Some of the best fishing stories have nothing to do with how many fish were caught or what bait or technique was used.

Smallmouth bass fishing is extremely popular. Many of the bass fishing tournament circuits have tournaments on lakes that have largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass are popular among anglers because they are such a strong fighter. A smallmouth bass will usually leap into the air a couple of times and make a couple strong runs, depending on their size. They also taste very good. Many bass fishermen believe in catch and release, but there is nothing wrong with taking a fish home to eat every now and then and many anglers believe that smallmouth bass taste better than largemouth bass.

Most fishermen head north to target smallmouth becase the northern states have a lot of good lakes that support healthy populations of smallmouth bass. These fish thrive in colder water temperatures and the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and many areas in Canada have some of the finest smallmouth bass fishing in the country.

Let's take a look at some of the top fishing destinations to help you plan a trip for catching smallmouth bass. Remember that there are many other lakes up north that have good fishing for smallmouth that won't be in this article, but these areas will give you a great chance of landing some quality fish. If you time it right, you can catch them in bunches in the lakes listed below.

Lake Erie is known more for its excellent walleye fishery, but the smallmouth bass fishing is also very good. There are numerous fishing charters, especially in Ohio, that can put you walleye and smallmouth bass.

Door County is located in Wisconsin and Lake Michigan surrounds this county. If you can get to the Sturgeon Bay area during the spring, you have a chance at putting 50 or more smallmouth bass in the boat in one day. Advanced smallmouth bass anglers should be able to find plenty of fish scattered along the shorelines. Fishermen that need some help can hire a fishing guide. There are plenty of fishing guides available. Throughout the summer and fall, you're going to be fishing in deeper water, most likely over 20 feet deep. If you can find the fish, you can land some real lunkers. Door County is also one of the best vacation destinations in the midwest.

The Boundary Waters of Ely, Minnesota is one of the most unique places to fish. This area has plenty of pristine lakes and the fishing pressure is light. Don't come to the boundary waters if you're not up for a little bit of adventure. You will be most likely be portaging into different lakes and fishing from a canoe. If this sounds exciting, plan a trip to Ely and you won't be disappointed. Smallmouth bass in the 2 to 4 pound range are very common.

Some of the other top smallmouth bass destinations are Lake St. Clair in Michigan, Lake of the Woods and Lake of the Woods in Canada, Rainy Lake in Minnesota and Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee. To find information on all of the fishing destinations, check out our smallmouth bass fishing trips page.

Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site

Tips For Catching Trophy Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Time and time again over the years, I have listened to many anglers and clients express their frustration at trying to catch smallmouth bass. Most anglers don't realize that these fish have their own set of behaviors that sets them apart from largemouth bass. The major differences between a smallmouth and a largemouth bass are as follows:

If you fish for smallmouth here in the northeast, especially in the Susquehanna river in Maryland, you will find that smallmouth bass do not stick that tight to cover. This is even more apparent in some of our slack water reservoirs. Smallmouth relate much more to a sudden or rapid depth change than they do cover. When we fish for largemouths, we are all taught to fish brushpiles and thick weedbeds, but small mouth bass are more likely to be caught on a rock ledge that drops off quickly from about six to twelve feet.

When fishing in the reservoirs here such as Conowingo, or in the rivers like the Susquehanna, smallmouths are sometimes caught shallow, but they are seldom more than 10-20 yards away from deep water. The Rapala DT series has been taking good smallmouth in these areas.

Everywhere we go, we see the majority of bass anglers beating the shoreline, and as this may work for largemouth bass most of the time, if you are after big smallmouth bass, turn around and cast to the open water rather than beat the shore.

Unlike largemouth, smallmouth often group together by size. I found that if we were catching smaller fish, in the eleven to fourteen inch range, we rarely caught a big one in the same area. On the other hand, when we caught a smallmouth that was above four or five pounds, many times there were several that size and even larger swimming right along with them. Big largemouth bass are loners, usually found by themselves on the best piece of structure, while larger smallmouth bass will often school together.

There are several things that tell you that smallmouth bass are much better suited for strong current than largemouth. For one, their pointed noses and the sharp angle of their fins are indicators that they are more suited to current. They often get behind a rock or stump and rush out to feed. Largemouth can adapt somewhat to current, but are much more at home in slack water.

Locating and then catching big smallmouth is a real challenge. That is why it is so much fun. Hopefully by reading some of these methods you have gained a better understanding of where these trophy fish go and what they are looking for, and of course, this will hopefully get you the fish of a lifetime. Remember, get out early and late in the year and brave the elements, hit these prime areas with the baits we described, and remember most of all, you are after a completely different fish! "These are NOT Largemouths!"

There are thousands of small ponds, lakes, and rivers that hold "Huge Bass" from Maine to Florida. Over the last 10 years of maintaining records, and having caught and released over 600 bass from 5 to 10 pounds, from small waters on the East Coast, and one over 10 pounds from Delaware, here are the tactics I have found that produce consistent trophies each year.

Even in small bodies of water (under 1000 acres), there will be only a small portion of the water that will hold the biggest bass. The most important features to look for are the areas where more than two or three different types of vegetation come together in the same area. Now, not all of these areas will hold big fish. The largest fish in the lake will always be in the best cover and locations. This will be where the various grasses combine near a creek channel on or near the beds and flats, adjacent to deep water cover.

Generally, this deep water access will contain other cover also, which is not visible without the use and understanding of good electronics, and a good understanding of what you are observing. Sometimes the features on the bottom will be subtle, but will be the "Hot Spot" of the area. Small depressions, with rocks or boulders along the drop-off, if they have a current break, will be prime locations for "Trophy Bass." When there is no real cover such as rocks or trees, sometimes depth alone can provide the proper cover from light penetration, and produce good results.

In small bodies of water such as in Delaware and Maryland, the bass are generally in or very near the same locations all year. This does not guarantee a trophy by any means whatsoever. It is rare to catch the biggest fish in the lake by conventional means. Many large bass from five to eight pounds are caught on artificials, such as spinnerbaits, jigs, frogs, swimbaits, and buzzbaits each year, but as a rule, the true trophies, 9 pounds and above, are caught on specialized techniques and live bait. Recently, several big bass have been hitting big "Saltwater" Rat-L-Traps in the 3/4 ounce and up size in various colors, worked with a fast, pumping action of the rod, and with swimbait tactics employed by the west coast anglers.

The Sebile "Magic Swimmer" and the Tru-Tungsten 4 inch swimbait have really produced some big bass in the northeast. I never believed that these baits would work here until I met Bill Seimantel at the Big Bass World Championship at Table Rock lake in Missouri in 1999, and he convinced me to try them here in the northeast. Since that time swimbaits of all types have produced numerous trophy class fish.

When fishing for true "Trophy Bass", the best bait to use is the primary forage in the body of water where you are fishing. This should be researched in advance by contacting the Fish and Game Department of the state you are planning to fish in, and checking with local tackle shops. You also need to know what is legal to use in each state you're fishing.

Most lakes, ponds, and rivers in the Delaware and Maryland area, have golden shiners in them, and they will really produce big bass. When these are not available, extra-large wild shiners are the next best choice. If you insist on using only artificials, then a large frog, big buzzbait, a 12" worm, a 3/4 to 1 1/2 ounce Rat-L-Trap, or a "Castaic," "Sebile", or "Matt Lures" Swim Bait are the best choices.

You will need at least two or three dozen shiners each time you go, and they must be in a temperature controlled, chemically treated bait keeper system to ensure they are lively. This is very important. When using live millroach or shiners over a deep structure, I like to hook them thru the back, and for drifting, through the lips. When working cattails, marsh reeds, and heavy pads, I hook them through the tail and let them swim in towards the heavy cover where the bass are. Use 3/0 to 5/0 sharp, Daiichi or X-Point hooks. I like to use balloons instead of bobbers, they work best if you blow them up to about the size of a small orange. You can tie them directly on the line, and use split shot if you prefer.

The best equipment is a heavy action, 7-7 1/2 foot, E-glass or S-glass rod, of high quality, such as a G.Loomis or St.Croix. Recently, many rod manufacturers are making rods of composite and graphite materials that are lighter, yet stronger, and produce the same characteristics of the older E or S Glass rods. G. Loomis makes a good one, as well as Kistler. I always use line of at least seventeen pound test, and most of the time twenty to thirty pound monofilament. In certain deep water, or heavy cover situations, I use forty to fifty pound test "Stren Super Braid", or "Power-Pro line".

I suggest using a good baitcast rod, but a spinning rod in heavy action will also work. The reels should be a strong metal reel, with at least 3 ball bearings, and strong gears of brass or better, in a 5:1:1 or 5:3:1 gear ratio, or similar range. It is best for all around power and speed on these larger fish. Knots are very important. The best knot to use is the Palomar, it has 100% knot strength. You should also learn some other specialty knots for braid and other superlines as well.

The best time to go is whenever you can. However, if you have only a few days, and can choose, the solunar tables, weather conditions, and barometer, should all be considered. They play a major role in fish activity. In the very early spring, anglers who are willing to brave the elements will catch the biggest bass. These fish strike earlier in the year than most people imagine.

There are some great small waters for Trophy bass in Rhode Island, Vermont, Minnesota, Florida, and of course, California, Arizona, and Texas. However in the Northeast, you can't go wrong by spending your time in Delaware at Noxontown Lake in Middletown, Lums Pond in Bear, Killens in Dover, and Diamond in Milton. The Susquehanna River, Liberty Reservoir, and the Potomac River in Maryland also hold huge fish where you can catch both largemouth and smallmouth.. These waters, fished with the techniques outlined in this article, will produce you the "Trophy of a Lifetime."

Northeast Bass Fishing For Trophy Bass

Steve vonBrandt
Sponsored by: GYCB (Yamamoto),Okuma, TTI-Blakemore, and Ambush Lures.

Steve was the owner of a bass fishing Guide Service in Wilmington, Delaware, Anglers Radio in Delaware and New Jersey, and Delaware Tackle in Delaware. He is a tournament angler and freelance outdoor writer. He has over 40 years of fishing experience in the Northeast and California. He has fished lakes, ponds, and rivers from 1962 until the present. His new website offers over 150 bass fishing instructional videos for free at Delaware Trophy Bass.

http://delawaretrophybass.com

Fishing for smallmouth bass at Lake Erie is truly fun especially when done during the summer season, though smallmouth fishing at Lake Erie can be much more than just much fun. Lake Erie is also popularly referred to as the great lake. Lake Erie provides nourishment to the finest smallmouth fish in America. Majority of anglers that carry out their regular fishing activities at the Lake Erie are reported to have already made the minimum of 50 smallmouth bass catches, this comes to an average of 4 pound each every weekend. This are staggering numbers that would probably appeal to any seasoned bass fishing devotees. Many people are surprised by the best catches that are done at the lake Erie and this questions remain unanswered to many folks. So what could be the reason of the secret behind that? The answer to that question may be due to the Lake Erie abundance of forage and best quality habitat. The lake's massiveness has provided the smallmouth bass with easiness of pressure normally found in small lakes and this has therefore transformed the lake into some sort of paradise for the smallmouth bass population there.

Vigilance is a great asset when you put yourself up to the challenge of bass fishing in Lake Erie because of the weather. Though Erie is a lake, its water mostly resembles that of the ocean. A sunny bright day may could easily change into a terrible one accompanied by strong winds just similar to what befell some 10 bass fishing boats on the lake sometime back in September 1992.

Undoubtedly Lake Erie happens to be one of the most varied fishing ground in the entire country. Lake Erie not only contains the very popular smallmouth bass species of fish, but it also provides residency to a very massive quantity of the yellow perch, the common largemouth bass, northern spike, the white bass, walleye, and so many other types of the bass species of fish.

When you go out bass fishing at the lake Erie you have to remind yourself of some typical regulations that some states impose, such as The Pennsylvania, if you want to fish for the walleye the bass fish has to be at minimum 18 inches, less that this is strictly not allowed. In the state of Ohio that covers approximate 262 miles of seashore, fishing in lake Erie has limits during summer on the amount of bags. The maximum allowed number of bags is 3 and not 4 and during any other period, the maximum allowed number of catches is 6 bags.

Over the spawning season which begins in march and ends in April, you are restricted from catching bass using treble hooks. This are new rules you have to keep in mind.

If you are conducting a fishing expedition at the Lake Erie, and you feel like sharing the distinctive smallmouth catch of upto 80,000 smallmouth over a period of six weeks starting at the close of June, immediately after the spawning season, you are better of at Long point Bay. Smallmouth swims through the Long point Bay when traveling back to the major Lake when the spawning period terminates. Another good fishing ground the smallmouth bass is the Presque Island area. Here you can do deep water jigging and net a lot of fish. Smallmouth bass offshore fishing at the Lake Erie is varies greatly. The walleye fishermen normally have to cover longer distances, which can be a couple of miles for them to locate fish, though this is much normal to most of the Lake Erie.

Though offshore fishing may not be very attractive mostly to starters or the non-professional fishers, there is a great opportunity for shore-fishing too, much for the white bass in the short pier. Channel catfish are easily found here. Though if you want to maximize your opportunity in the shore fishing, then you are better of fishing at night or after when the water is colored.

In the last few years, it has been noted that there is an increasing occurrence of clear water in the Lake that can be credited to what is referred to as the Zebra water infestation, this has driven the smallmouth bass to the deeper levels of the water even over the spawning season and this has made trawling the only great way of bagging the smallmouth bass.

The Presque Isle Bay offers moderately calm water that is appropriate for small fishing boats.

It also provides fine fishing for the largemouth bass, the northern pike, the crappies and the bluegills besides the smallmouth bass and the yellow perch.

So if you think that this summer is the period for you to go fishing for the smallmouth bass at Lake Erie, and you want to make Pennsylvania your jumping point, don't worry about accommodation because there are abundant camping sites and hotels alongside the shorelines of Lake Erie.

Abhishek is an avid Bass Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Bass Fishing Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 135 Pages Ebook, "How To Become A Bass Fishing Pro!" from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/88/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

When it comes to smallmouth bass fishing there are hundreds of tips to help you catch more bass. In this article I'm going to give you three tips that you may have never heard of. These tips have helped me catch many smallmouth bass over the last 25 years, and I know they will do the same for you. When it comes to tips to catch more bass, these smallmouth tips have to be among the top 10.

The first smallmouth bass fishing tip I'm going to mention is for fishing in the flowing water of a river or stream, the second is for fishing anywhere that smallmouth bass swim, and the third is primarily for smallmouth fishing in lakes. All of these tips have made me a much more successful smallmouth bass angler. Use on or all of them sooner rather than later and they can do the same for you.

Use Gang Hooks & Live Bait - This smallmouth bass fishing tip is for use in the flowing waters of rivers or streams. Rivers and streams are a great place to fish for smallmouth bass. They can be fished for in much the same way that one fishes for trout. Gang hooks are the best way to present live bait (especially live worms) in river and stream situations. A live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks and allowed to drift naturally with the current of a river or stream is an extremely effective smallmouth bass fishing technique.

Use The Moon To Your Advantage - As a smallmouth bass angler using the moon to your advantage is of the utmost importance. By doing this, you can make sure that your on the water when the smallmouth arte the most active. By being on the water when the smallmouths are the most active you will catch more bass, it's as simple as that. Learn the simple ways the moon affects fish and fishing and you will experience much higher bite rates. For example, did you know that fish are more active when the moon is full?

Use Realistic Fishing Lures - When smallmouth bass fishing having fishing lures that are realistic is of the utmost importance. When smallmouth bass fishing having a natural looking fishing lure is a great tip to catch more bass. The more the fishing lure you use looks like the bait fish the bass normally eat the better off you'll be. The bottom line is this: use realistic fishing lures and you'll catch more bass.

The above tips will help you catch more bass on your next smallmouth bass fishing excursion. These tips have been helping me catch large numbers of smallmouth bass for more than 25 years, and as I alluded to earlier, if they work for me they will work for anyone. Remember, smallmouth bass fishing tips are just like any advice you receive in life. The simplest things are very often, the most effective.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Learn About The Moon & Fishing For FREE - http://www.jrwfishing.com/signup.html

In this article I'm going to outline some of the best bass fishing lures that we as anglers have access to. These lures can be used to catch both large and smallmouth bass. As a general rule of thumb, the same fishing lures can be used for both species of bass the only difference being the size of the lure. Obviously as the name of the bass denote, when fishing for "small" mouth bass, smaller lures should be employed.

Before we discuss the types of lures, it's important to know some simple information about these fish. Both Large and smallmouth bass are part of the black bass family and the word "bass" comes from a word originally meaning perch. Both species are opportunistic eaters and voracious feeders. Bass are found throughout the world, and are a very popular game fish in the United States.

These fish can be caught in a variety of manners, and the bass fishing lures listed below are some of the best bass fishing lures available to fishermen. If one of them isn't in your tackle box/bag you probably want to add it.

Spinnerbaits - Spinnerbaits are best known for enabling bass anglers to cover a lot of water fast. These baits come in a variety of sizes and colors and are designed to imitate a bait fish. Small spinnerbaits are very effective for smallmouth bass, a fact that some fishermen tend to overlook. These bass fishing lures also have a variety of blade shapes and sizes, which can make a difference in bite rates.

The Jitterbug - The jitterbug is one of the most popular top water baits of all time, and is an extremely effective fishing lure. The key top fishing a jitterbug is to fish is slow so that it does its gurgling dance. When you are fishing over or in a weed bed, and the water is like glass, a Jitterbug is one of the best lures for large and smallmouth bass.

The KickTail Minnow - The KickTail minnow is not known top many bass anglers, but is the most realistic shad/small bait fish imitation that you will ever see. Underwater this lure looks as much like a real bait fish as any lure you will ever see. When it comes to bass fishing lures the KickTail Minnow is extremely effective. This lure is as realistic a bass lure as you'll ever find.

Plastic Worms & Grubs - Plastic worms and grubs are among the best fishing lures of all time. Plastic worms fished on a "Carolina Rig" have always been known as a great bass fishing lure. The entire plastic or rubber fishing bait market has been revolutionized by Berkley. Their Power and Gulp products are exactly like traditional plastics, except for the fact that they've been impregnated with fish catching scents. Berkley's Power and Gulp plastics will actually out fish live bait in many instances.

The lures just listed are the best fishing lures to catch both large and smallmouth bass. Are they the only fishing lures that can be used effectively? Of course not, but they are some of the more popular and effective fishing lures available to the average bass angler.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of fishing country... Montana!

Get Fishing Tips & Techniques Twice A Month For FREE - http://www.jrwfishing.com/signup.html

Smallmouth fishing is said to be best experienced in Southwest Louisiana. This is a place near bayous, canals, freshwater and salty lakes. The waters here draw numbers of smallmouth and largemouth bass ranging up to eight-pounds.

Smallmouth bass fishing is enjoyed by fishermen all over America. Searching and then finally catching the big smallmouth bass is a real achievement for the true blue American sport fisherman. It is considered to be the America’s number one fresh water sport. Believe it or not, this sport has grown 70% higher than any other fresh water sport in America.

The smallmouth bass is believed to be, pound for pound, one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish. The bass runs acrobatic leaps and does "tail walking" making it one of the most exciting fishes to pursue.

Before you go in search for thet elusive smallmouth bass, you must first know its characteristics or how it looks like. Smallmouth bass are habitually bronze to brownish green in color. It has dark vertical bars on the sides. Unlike the largemouth, the upper jaw of a small mouth does not merely extend beyond rear margin of the eye. The eye of a smallmouth is reddish. It has 13 to 15 rays of soft dorsal fins. Its length would go from 12 to 22 inches. And it normally weighs 8 ounces to 7 pounds.

Here are some guides and tips that can help you bag a smallmouth bass:

• If you fish for smallmouth in the northeast, particularly in Maryland, you will find that small mouth bass do not stick too tight to cover their presence. This is more obvious in some of our the slack water reservoirs. This fish relates much more to a sudden or rapid depth change when they do go for cover.

• Small mouth bass can be caught on a rock ledge that drops off quickly from about six to twelve feet.

• When trapping a smallmouth bass that is about four or five pounds, try to swim along with them maki9ng your presence inconspicuous.

• An effective trap for smallmouth bass are plastic worms or flies.

• They are less aware when they are feeding or think they will be feeding.

• This type of sport fish will be usually found on rocky structures with and without light weed lines.

• The smallmouth has and exceptional sense of sight, smell, and hearing.

• The smallmouth. like most fish, is light-shy.

• Smallmouth bass are schooling fish by nature, so you are likely to catch several bass in the same locations.

• Once you catch one smallmouth, chances are you will have a chance to catch more about the same size in the immediate area.

One of the most effective and most popular methods of tricking or catching a small mouth is to work over the top of these weed beds. Some fishermen prefer jigs, while others choose live bait.

Here’s a list that shows the best top water flies in order to trick small mouth bass:

1. Stonefly Bugger - size 6
2. Franke Hellgrammite - size 4
3. Clouser Minnow - size 6
4. Sneaky Pete - size 4
5. Crayfish - size 8
6. Popper - size 6
7. Zonkers - size 4
8. Bead Head Wooly Bugger- size 6

When is the right time to fish a small mouth?

Smallmouth bass are active in cold waters so, you might catch up with this fish in the early spring. Start searching for them when the water temperature is in the mid-40s. The smallmouth might just be about 20-30 feet deep in the waters, or might be waiting for the temperature to rise a little before emerging higher.

When the temperature begins to reach mid-50s, the smallmouth will start to move on to cooler or deeper holes, change your technique. Or else do not even bother yourself in attempting to search them out. All you will need is something to aid you in searching the bottom. It could be a bait or lure that will catch the attention of small mouth bass. A plastic worm will be a good strategy with this because even the most slow-moving bass will respond when you drag one slowly in its nose. Then when that happens start the battle in search for these small mouths.

But do not forget, you are in search for a completely different fish. They are not just an ordinary fish…. They are SMALLMOUTH BASS!

Smallmouth bass can be found in Ontario's Great Lakes as well as the glacial lakes of the Canadian Shield and in a number of rivers, creeks, and lakes in this beautiful Canadian province.

Largemouth bass are commonly found in warmer bodies of water with shallow cover, usually comprised of fallen timber and weeds or stone outcrops. Some of the lakes with mixed habitat result in the largemouth region intersecting and co-mingling with that of smallmouth, making for a variety of fishing opportunities.

In Ontario, smallmouth bass fishing success is usually optimised in more open water, where you can utilize light to medium-action six to ten pound test lines and normally a six foot spinning rod. The fly fisherman will also find smallmouth bass eager to attack top-water poppers or minnow-shaped ribbons in a shallow water setting.

During the Canadian summer, deep underwater points, submerged islands, rocky shoals and weed bed edges are the prime locations to snag these agile and spectacular fighting species of bass.

Ontario smallmouth bass fishing is somewhat unique when compared to other bass fishing settings. In the rugged Northern Ontario lakes and rivers where some of the best medal smallmouth bass fishing can be experienced, smallmouths favor the unsteady clear lakes with little plant life and congregate in shoreline rocks and points. But don't limit your fishing to the shoreline as some of the prize catches can be had in the deeper water.

If you really want to experience the great remote areas you can charter with Wilderness Air and fly in to your own exclusive lake. You can bunk in a deluxe outpost cabin, which are very well maintained and comfortable. Wilderness Air charters is one of the best ways to experience the Ontario smallmouth bass fishing challenge!

Smallmouth bass derived their name from the anotomical fact that the rear end of the lower jaw does not extend past the eye, while the lower part of the jaw of a largemouth does. There is also a low notch linking the dorsal fins to the body that resembles a series of dark broken bars.

The smallmouth bass typically matures between the ages of roughly two and four years and often has a life span of over ten years. On a light line, the Ontario smallmouth bass is a fierce competitor and pound for pound one of the best battles in Canadian angling. First time bass fishermen are always shocked by the dramatic and frequent jumps coupled with the powerful ability to dive quickly to awesome depths. That's how bass fishing becomes a habit and compulsion that is hard to give up and why bass fishermen keep migrating back to Ontario for return visits. After battling one of these determined creatures the average fisherman is always surprised to find that the average length for a smallmouth ranges between only ten and about twenty inches. The current Canadian record for the biggest smallmouth bass caught in Ontario is a little over ten pounds.

In terms of the better types of lures to use, crawling spinnerbaits or retrieving shallow-running crankbaits along the sub-merged weed patches are very effective. Both species of bass found in in deeper water are attracted to diving crankbaits. Largemouth tecniques employed in most other locations are also effective in Ontario. Tactics vary from flip-and-pitch styles used in the shallow weed beds, docks, and stumps, to the exciting top-water stroke on jerkbaits, poppers, and hovering plastic worms.

If you have never fished for smallmouth in Ontario there are a few points to remember.

Keep in mind that Ontario smallmouth bass fishing is a little different from the the largemouth bass experience. If you are used to fishing largemouth primarily in weed beds, you will find the smallmouth bass would rather hide out where the rock ledges drop suddenly. The popular baits are crawfish, minnow, leeches and hellgrammites. You will likely have success using everything that resembles a minnow such as plastic worms or flag flies.

Also when fishing for Ontario smallmouth bass you will usually find schools of fish about the same size so if you are not satisfied with the size of fish taken from a given location you should probably move on to a fresh spot. If you' are releasing live bait from your boat use as many lines as is permissible.

The season from the middle of June through to the fall is the best time to plan your trip to Ontario. In the early part of the season the smallmouths are often found on the shallower beds, and by fall they are found in the 10 to 20 foot deeper waters. At that time you should group rattletraps, cranks and jigs, and float a marker buoy to mark the school area.

Try it once and I guarantee you will be telling your friends and planning a return trip next season to Ontario Canada.

Learn more about the bass fishing experience at:

Bass Fishing Article Library

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Price: $9.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon