Grand River Smallmouth Bass Fishing has Excellent Results with Platform Rafts

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Grand River with platform rafts has added a new enjoyment to the sport of fishing in Paris. Normally the riverbanks cannot be walked because the land is privately owned and restricted. This forces fishermen to wade the boulder bottom and wrestle river current when angling for smallmouth bass in the Grand River. The use of platform rafts resolves the wading problem.

With platform raft fishing fisherman now have access to miles of shoreline with excellent small mouth bass fishing all along the Grand River. People of all sizes and ages can enjoy a time together with friends or families to fish as they drift down the Grand. The platform rafts allow anyone of any physical condition the opportunity to get out and fish some of the best spots for small mouth bass.

For families wanting a day of actually catching fish, the platform rafting is a great way to travel together. The rafts offer a safe experience that allows children the freedom of movement and togetherness. There is the joy of no mosquitoes or black flies as the rafts drift through a wilderness of forest, fresh springs and wildlife.

The platform decks normally accommodate two fly fishermen standing or 4 people seated with a guide steering in the back. Those that spin-cast can sit in deck chairs elevated above the water level to easily see striking fish. The best thing about raft platform fishing is the speed of the raft... it allows excellent casting opportunities at every pool.

These Grand River smallmouth bass platform excursions are with experienced guides that know the fishing spots well. The expertise of the guides increases the number of strikes and fish caught. The guides in the Paris area conduct trips on two sections of the river. The upper Grand from Glen Morris to Paris is "catch & keep" or the lower Grand from Paris to Brant Park is zoned "catch & release".

The reason the smallmouth bass fishing has improved is due to the aggressive Fish Management Plan implemented in 1995. Along certain areas of the river special angling regulations have been introduced to protect the smallmouth bass. Anglers must use barbless hooks, no live bait and do catch and release. This restricted zone is called Exceptional Waters between Paris and Brant Conservation area and produces excellent large fish.

July 1st in Southern Ontario is the start of the smallmouth bass season on the Grand River. It is normal to catch 40 to 50 bass in a four hour drift in the Paris area. The fish range from small to under 24 inches with lots of action. At the start of the season late afternoon-evening trips produce some of the best results. For visitors arriving on the Grand without fishing gear and tackle, the Big Catch Bait & Tackle shop in Paris will rent all equipment plus a loaded tackle box for $20.

The Grand River is only one hour west of Toronto. It is easily accessible by the 401 or 403 Highways. For those wishing overnight accommodations there is the countryside River Ridge B&B in the area or the elegant Arlington Hotel. For those wishing to camp, some of the fish guiding companies in the area have secluded campsites right on the river.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Grand River is exceptional... but so is the scenery and abundance of wildlife. The closeness of the Grand River allows people to get up in the morning... drive an hour for excellent fishing... and be in their own bed at night.

Garth Pottruff grew up along the Grand. He has watched this river go from carp to an abundance of smallmouth bass and migratory rainbow trout.

Garth does some guiding for smallmouth bass fishing on the Grand River. He loves watching the sheer delight of fishermen as they discover the excellent quality of fishing on Southern Ontario?s largest river. For more information on platform raft fishing in the Paris section of the Grand River visit: www.grandriverrafting.ca

Smallmouth Bass Fishing - Showing The True Ontario To The World?

Smallmouth bass are found from picturesque glacial lakes of the Canadian Shield to Ontario's Great Lakes shoals and in thousands of creeks, rivers, and lakes which lie in between.

Soft-plastic twister-tail, tube, and shad jig bodies on 1/8- to 3/8-ounce heads are the most common smallmouth lures. Good jig colors are black, smoke, purple, amber, yellow, and white. Bounce jigs along bottom, while retrieving or drifting with the wind over potential hotspots. One trick is to allow a tube jig to settle on bottom, then release 20 to 40 yards (18 to 36 m) of line. As the boat drifts, nudge the bait along, as you feel for a strike. This technique is particularly useful in clear, deep water for spooky smallmouth. Smallmouth is particularly fond of crayfish, especially soft-shells that have just molted.

Largemouth tactics that workout in other places, work equally effective in Ontario also. Fishing varies from flip-and-pitch techniques around docks, matted weeds, shallow, and stumps, to exciting top-water action on poppers, jerk baits, and floating plastic worms. Although some southern lakes or rivers are turbid, clear water is normal in Ontario. Bait casting tackle spooled with 12- to 20-pound line is ideal around heavy cover for largemouth in stained waters. Light spinning tackle, though, is often necessary to fool largemouth in clear water on sunny days. In these conditions, thin, yet strong, braided or fused line and small plastic worms, grubs, or jigs can jump-start the action, while allowing you to handle fish around cover. Live bait is effective for both species. Leeches, minnows, and juicy night crawlers rigged beneath a float or with split-shot on the bottom will draw Ontario fishing lodges, camps resorts and outfitters. It's the greatest vacation in Canada! Whether you want to casually do some fishing or try some more serious angling, our province is an angler's paradise.

Nowhere else can boast such a catch. Think of it: The largest fresh water lakes in the world, a huge diversity of fish, and Walleye in abundance (over 4.7 million kg caught every year). What's more, there's an entire range of experiences that allow you to "go remote" at fly-in camps in the Northwest and Northeast, or cast a line on day-trips in our Playground. Come here for all your vacation, equipment, and news and weather information. Come equipped, buy, or rent at any one of the outfitters throughout the province. There are boats to charter, guided trips, fishing packages, or be your own guide and take yourself to a place where there's just you and the fish. Discover the riches of a tackle and bait shop, the hub of commerce in any small lakeside town. Ontario at its best and do check it out.

Ontario has the very best Smallmouth Bass fishing in the World with some areas having really good Largemouth Bass Fishing. Bass Heaven's many lakes, rivers and streams are here for you to enjoy.

Temperatures colder or warmer than these will generally cause smallies to slow down their metabolism, making them tougher to catch. 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.

Live or artificial baits both work well - night crawlers seem to work particularly well as do tube jigs and small spinner baits. Bring a variety of tackle and experiment to find what works best under the particular conditions you're fishing that day.

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.

Learning How To Catch Bass -The Difference Between Smallmouth And Largemouth Bass

Bass of many types can be found all throughout North America. Calico Bass can be found in the Great Lakes and Florida, Largemouth Bass are located in the central United States along with Smallmouth Bass. Lets focus on the latter two in looking at some fundamental differences.

The Smallmouth bass, or White bass, love rocky lakes and streams. During their spawning season, which starts in the month of June, is one of the best times to catch these fighters. Smallmouth bass have certain types of food they love but one of their favorites is crawdads which hide in the rocky areas the smallmouth bass spawns in. If you like to use natural baits crawdads, minnows, hellgrammites, and dragonfly larvae are great to use. If you are using artificial bait try top water lures and jigs that are light in color.

Largemouth bass, or Black bass, can be caught almost year round except in the coldest of months. The largemouth can be fund just about anywhere from lakes to rivers, creeks and ponds. As far as bait it all depends on the area, season, and time of day. Largemouth bass feed on a huge variety of bait but seem to prefer the early mornings and later in the evening for their prime feeding times. Live bait they like includes minnows or small shad, earthworms, crickets, and even small frogs and newts.

Artificial baits for largemouth bass is as varied as the natural baits, Top water lures, spinner baits, plastic worms, and crank bait all have their times and places to be used. The secret to catching the big bass is knowing the secrets of when and where to use what bait and choosing the right location.

Learn all the Bass Fishing Secrets the Pros use at http://www.fishing-secrets.com And be sure and sign up for your free Bass Fishing Secrets newsletter to get all the latest news and fishing tips.