There are certain rules to the river that we should try and adhere to when fishing with others and confronting other river bassers on the river.

1. Before the trip, be sure to make your float partners aware of any time constraints you may have. Most people, when doing a float trip, plan on being gone all day. That is crucial information because it can change how many vehicles may be needed and/or what section of river is floated. Or, it could mean that the guys who want to go all day may have to go independently from you. You don’t ever want to throw this curve ball at a float partner at the last minute. At least if they are made aware ahead of time, everyone can change plans accordingly if need be. Continue Reading

As you already know, redeyes can sometimes be difficult to identify. In fact, redeyes are probably one of the most difficult black bass species to identify. Why are they so difficult to identify? The main reason is that redeyes are sometimes mistaken for other black bass such as spotted, smallmouth, largemouth and shoal, depending on the river. So how can redeyes be mistaken for so many different black bass species, each with distinct differences? There is an easy answer to this question, redeyes are unique and its markings can vary greatly. Continue Reading

Shoal: Shallow rocky areas with small or large rapids flowing through them.  Shoals usually widen a river out, which is why they are typically shallower because the same amount of water now has to cover more area.  It is this widening, combined with the rocks, that provides the river with double, triple and even quadruple the surface area.  Increasing the surface area provides more places for aquatic plant life to grow.  Likewise, the shallower water promotes photosynthesis, since the sun can penetrate through the shallower water down to the river bottom.  Therefore aquatic plants are much more likely to occur in the shoals.  Once the plant life is there, the other creatures are sure to follow since simple plants and algea are the basis for life.  Shoals will hold more life in a river than any other area.  You’ll see more fish species here, as well as birds, crawfish, hellgramites, water insects, otters, muskrats etc…oh, and river bassers! Continue Reading

This was my first river fishing kayak and it served me well as I was able to catch many nice river bass out of it.  I liked it so well I bought a second one and used it as my spare for friends.  It has many positives and over time proved to have several negatives as well.  Hey, I’m a positive kinda guy, so let’s start there.

Positive: The good thing about this kayak, and all Ocean Kayak boats is that they are light weight.  The kind of fishing I do can be very tough in getting kayaks in and out of the river. Sometimes bridge access points can be very steep and having a light kayak can save some wear and tear on ones back!  Another good thing about these boats is the fact that they are very stable.  I realized I could stand and fish out of my Caper soon after I put it on the water, and I haven’t been sitting and fishing a river since. Continue Reading

Reviewed By: Fishtaco

I started out with just old tennis shoes, but those let too much gravel and sand in and I had to keep taking them off to let the bits and pieces out. Then I wore some Teva Dozer sandals, these were better since they had opening for the rocks to let themselves out, but they still let rocks in. Continue Reading

Reviewed By: Fishtaco

Item reviewed: William Joseph Rip Tide waist pack

Condition: New

Number of trips used: 20-50 trips

How it performed: Continue Reading

Standard style buzzbaits, but there are numerous styles

KABLOOM!!!! Yes, it is what we all want to hear when throwing a buzzbait for bass. And, if you are a river fisherman already you probably know that the aggressive nature of river bass make this a mandatory tool on the river. There are many reasons that a buzzbait works better in the river than on an impoundment.

First of all rivers have current which creates more chop and turbulence in the water. And, if you know anything about throwing a buzzbait, or a spinnerbait, in a lake, then you know they are most effective under windy and turbulent water conditions. Well, in a river, you always have those conditions with the occasional exception of some very slow, deep water areas mixed in. Also, in impoundments, buzzbaits Continue Reading

By: Phillip Scearce  aka “Pip”

On very RARE occasions I get a weekday off where my wife and kids have work and school.  This was the case one day in November 2008.  I had the day to myself!  What to do?  Take advantage of the beautiful Florida weather and go fishing, of course!  So I called up my fishing buddy, Daniel Bass (great name) loaded the canoe and we headed up to High Springs Florida, in Alachua County, to fish for Florida’s “Bronzeback” Bass, the Suwannee bass, on the upper Santa Fe River.  Continue Reading

Reviewed By: Tom Reese (Paw Paw)

Reel Condition: Older Reel (used), Newest Reel (new)

Number of trip used: Older Reel – 50+, Newest Reel – 0

How it Performed: Continue Reading

This question is a little more complicated because there are so many different types of rivers, but I will attempt to break each type down and discuss the best river vehicle for each. If you are in the United States you are living in one of four topographical categories - mountain, piedmont, coastal plain and internal plain. Each of these land sections have different types of rivers and to best assist you we must take a close look at each area. Continue Reading