Smallmouth Bass Fishing In Canada: The Ups And Downs
Jack Mitchell
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, Canada’s 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.
About The Author: Download our excellent bass fishing
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