| It is widely accepted that pound for pound | | | | worm will have hooks in it and will actually be bait. |
| smallmouth bass are the hardest fighting fish that | | | | Rigging up is really quite simple. Start by grabbing |
| there is, swimming in freshwater. If you've had | | | | your line and tying on a small barrel swivel (size 10 |
| the pleasure of catching a 2-3 pound smallmouth, | | | | or 12). Now, on the other end of the barrel |
| you will undoubtedly agree. In this article I'm going | | | | swivel, tie on a a set of pre-tied gang hooks |
| to reveal a few secrets for fishing for | | | | (gang hooks allow the natural presentation that |
| Smallmouth Bass in the flowing water of rivers | | | | we're looking for). Now add a couple of split shot |
| and streams. To me, fishing in rivers and streams | | | | directly above the barrel swivel. Remember, the |
| is the only way to fish, and when there are | | | | goal is to have your offering tumble off the |
| smallmouth bass present in the river or stream | | | | bottom as it flows downstream, so split shot will |
| that I'm fishing, these secrets have always been | | | | have to be added/removed depending on current |
| successful. If you think catching a 2-3 pound | | | | flow. Finally, add a live worm to your set of gang |
| Smallmouth is fun (which it is) you need to try | | | | hooks. If the worms are large, simply pinch them |
| catching that same fish when there is current to | | | | in ½. This is the rig. |
| deal with. Believe it or not, it's even more fun! | | | | Now, simply cast out and let your offering flow |
| The actual angling for Smallmouth Bass in rivers | | | | downstream with the current. When it's directly |
| and steams is exactly the same as angling for | | | | below you, the drift is over, reel in and cast again. |
| trout. The secret begins with only a few things: | | | | Don't worry, with a little practice, you'll easily be |
| small barrel swivels, split shot sinkers, pre-tied | | | | able to distinguish between bottom and a bite, |
| gang hooks, and live worms. That's simple enough, | | | | just keep at it. If you don't feel bottom during |
| huh? You can also add a bait bag into the mix, but | | | | your drift, add a split shot or two. Keep doing this |
| it's not an integral part of the secret. A bait bag | | | | until you do feel bottom. If you aren't at or near |
| simply allows you to spend less time locating your | | | | bottom, the this technique won't work. And don't |
| bait, and more time with your line in the water | | | | get discouraged by getting snagged, it happens. |
| (where it should be). You see, with the help of a | | | | As my fishing mentor used to tell me, "if you're |
| bait bag your bait is always hanging right where | | | | not getting snagged, you're not fishing in the right |
| you need it, rather than being stuffed in a pocket | | | | place". Getting snagged is just part of the |
| somewhere. | | | | technique. |
| Here's the secret, in a nutshell, then I'll explain how | | | | Begin employing these Smallmouth Bass fishing |
| to rig up. The secret is to present a live worm in | | | | secrets and start catching more fish. As soon as |
| the most natural way possible, as it tumbles | | | | you hook into a 3-4 pound smallmouth in the |
| naturally downstream with the current. In other | | | | flowing water of a river or stream, you'll be |
| words, you want your offering to look, as much | | | | hooked. It's literally as much fun as you can have |
| as is possible, like a worm would if you simply | | | | with your clothes on! |
| threw it into the water. Only in this case, that | | | | |