How to Catch Bass on the St. Lawrence River
The St. Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place to catch smallmouth bass and pike, especially the portion in upstate New York. Bass and pike fishing from Alexandria Bay to Clayton, New York, is great as long as you know where to fish.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Ask some local fishermen where the fish are biting best. Usually, local fishermen will know the best spots to fish during each season.
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2
Use a fish finder or a depth finder on your boat to find a good fishing spot. Try fishing areas with shoals that are about 15 to 30 feet below the surface with deep water off their edges.Anchor your boat upriver to the shoal, meaning the current is heading downriver toward the ocean.Check a topographical map to find the most likely shoals. Keep in mind that bass like deep water in August and September, and shallow water in late June and July, As the water warms up, the bass move to deeper water.
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3
Rig your medium action fishing pole, using a small to medium hook with a light split shot sinker and a 6- to 8-pound line. Tie the hook directly to the line and put the sinker about 3 feet above the hook.
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4
Choose your bait. You can use small crayfish, shiner minnows or live worms to catch bass.
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5
Cast upriver and let the bait sink and bounce along the top of the shoal. If you are fishing a deep shoal, you might need to use a heavier split shot sinker.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Keep your live bait fresh and healthy bass tend to ignore dead bait.
Practice catch and release only keep the bass you intend to eat.
Practice catch and release only keep the bass you intend to eat.
