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Many anglers like to catch Smallmouth Bass, which are a very hearty fish that can be found in a variety of different settings. Smallmouth can be found in all kinds of lakes and ponds as well as rivers and streams of all kinds. Water temperature doesn't affect the Smallmouth Bass like it does other fish so these fish can therefore be found in almost every state in the Union. For this article I'm going to focus on Smallmouth Bass fishing in moving water, such as rivers and streams.

In case you didn't realize it, Smallmouth bass can be caught in much the same manner that trout can be caught. As a matter of fact, the two species can be found in the same rivers in many instances. One of my favorite activities is to wade fish for smallmouth bass using ultra light fishing gear. Ultra light fishing gear meaning and ultra light rod and reel equipped with four pound test fishing line. When you hook into a 3 pound smallmouth and that fish has the current to use to its advantage with gear like this, let me tell you something…it's as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

So, what's the bet way to catch Smallmouth Bass in river situations? All of the normal techniques such as throwing spoons and spinners will work, as well as using minnow plugs such as rapalas. But the most effective technique that I've ever come across is using live bait rigged on a set of gang hooks. What are gang hooks? Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem.

Rigging a live worm is the most popular technique, and can be deadly for smallmouth bass when fished properly. To rig a live worm on a set of gang hooks is really quite simple. You simply take your line and tie a small barrel swivel onto it. Then tie the set of pre-tied gang hooks to the other end of the swivel. Now add split shot sinkers to the line "above" the barrel swivel as needed. Rig the worm onto the gang hooks and you're good to go. The goal is to have the live worm bounce off the bottom as it tumbles naturally downstream. If you use this simple rig where Smallmouth Bass are present, watch out!

Smallmouth Bass are universally known as one of the hardest fighting fish, pound for pound, that swims in freshwater. If you have any experience with these fish, you know this to be true. Catching Smallmouth Bass in moving water is a ton of fun, and as I said, when these fish are coupled with gang hooks and ultra light gear, it's easily as much fun as can be found while clothed. Get out there and give it a try, you'll sure be glad you did.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of http://www.JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 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!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish!!!: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

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Wouldn't you like to be assured of catching a fish every time you go fresh water fishing for largemouth bass? That's what I was hoping for and I believe I've found the answer.

I've been fishing for close to 40 years now and I've caught and released many fish in my years. But my favorite fish to catch is the largemouth bass, or just plain old bass as we call them here in the northeastern US. Let me say at the outset, I'm not a big live bait fisherman. I use live bait occasionally when bass fishing, but most of the time I fish with lures. Over the years, the most productive lure I've found for consistently catching bass has been the rubber or plastic worm. Now before you dismiss this as just another pro-rubber worm article, please hear me out.

I've fished in every state in the Union except 3 and I've fished in most of the Canadian Provinces. So I have some experience with fishing! I enjoy trout and walleye fishing very much, but my favorite fresh water fishing is for bass. Rubber worms are almost always my lure of choice and it's a very rare occasion that I come home without catching one. So what do I do to catch these wonderful fish that is so different from everyone else? I rig my lures differently.

Probably the most popular way to rig a worm these days is to use a bent hook made specifically for worms. You run it in through the top 1/4 inch tip of the rubber worm, bring it out and twist it 180 degrees and place the tip of the hook back into the rubber worm until it's almost through to the other side. This allows you to fish the worm just about anywhere without snagging the hook on lily pads or other objects in the water. The idea is that when the bass strikes, you wait a second for him to get the worm far enough into his mouth and then pull back hard on the line to set the hook through the rubber worm and into the fish's mouth. This rigging works - but I've found a more productive way to rig my worms. I call it the "Bass Krusher" rig!

I use a weedless hook about 2/0 size. Start to run it through the worm at about 1/2 an inch down from the top. Once the entire straight shank of the hook is in the worm, bring out the crook part of the hook. Next, (and this is where it gets tricky) you run the eyelet of the hook back up in the center of the worm until it pops out of the top of the worm . Then you attach a snap-swivel to the hook's eyelet and pull the assembly back down into the center of the worm, leaving just the top ring of the snap-swivel showing. Pull the weedless wires over the hook (to prevent snagging) and you're ready to go. The advantages of this are that it moves the hook further down the worm and that it adds a metallic flash to the worm (the snap-swivel used should be bright brass) which helps to catch the bass' attention.

In my experience, most bass grab the worm from the back end. So the further down the worm you place the hook, the better. This rig will place the hook at about the center of the worm. It allows the worm to move naturally through the water and keeps the crook of the hook out of the worm which makes it easier to set the hook.

Try this rig and let me know how it works for you. Here in the northeast, our lakes are shallow, so I use this rig with no weight. Allow it to slowly sink and twitch it as you retrieve it slowly. I think you'll find that your days of not catching a bass will come to an end!

Mark Krusch has been fishing since 1969 and enjoys sharing his experience and tips with others. For more fresh water fishing tips and tricks, visit him at the Fresh Water Fishing Blog.