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 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

From: Drew Gregory

When on the river there are certain laws and practices that we can do to make sure we stay safe and arrive alive at the takeout. This article is going to teach you some tips and tricks of the river to keep you safe!

Each state has a different law regarding life vests and whether or not they have to be worn while on the river. In most of the states that I fish it is not a law to have them on while on the river, but they must be within easy reach and accessible in the boat. I keep mine right by my feet or on the back of my seat. I am about to be switching to the new inflatable style vest that is small and low profile so I can keep on at all times. Regardless of the law, it is always smarter and safer to have your life vest on at all times, especially if you are new to paddling or river fishing. I have been doing this for a long time and Continue Reading

Article Submitted By: Glenn Anderson (AKA RatherBfishin)
As a fisherman, have you ever thought about how many tools have you have at your fingertips or rod tips? What other sport offers a wider variety of tools to help you become better at that sport? In baseball you may use a larger or smaller glove, heavier or lighter bat, or even different types of pitches. Golf offers a vast array of golf balls, clubs, and swing aids.
Pretty much any sport I can think of uses the same equipment but the differences are in the weights or technical designs. Where else but fishing do you get so many different types of lures or rods or reels.

I began fishing rivers three years ago. For years I fished impoundments, reservoirs, and farm ponds, but not to the extent I fish today. Last year I learned how to fish a Texas rigged worm in the river. No big deal right? It was for me. I have always fished reaction baits where the design of the product was more important than the skills I possessed. Suddenly, I had to learn how to fish. I have a long way to go, but let me share some things I’ve learned that keep me going back. Continue Reading

By:  Jeff Scoggin (AKA Deepstep)

As winter begins to fade and the first warmer days punch our river bass’n time clocks, it is easy to forget some simple steps that could make the difference between staying hooked up, or telling about the one that got away.

Rods

Rods are the tools we use to leverage heavy fish out of cover, or keep steady pressure on river bass using current against us. As river fishermen we are inherently harder on our equipment than our lake fishing brothers. A visual inspection of the rod itself is an important part of the spring cleaning process. Keep an eye out for cracks, breaks or weak spots that may result in poor performance or complete failure. Continue Reading

In the beginning there were rivers, and the rivers were secluded. Today we have lakes, and the lakes are populated. Fortunately, the rivers still exist too. Maybe you are like some of us that got tired of fishing lakes with all the party boats and personal watercraft zipping around. Are you interested in a new bass fishing alternative that is usually accompanied by seclusion and scenery? Hey, we’ve all been there and made the switch but no one just pops out of the womb ready to stand and fish out of a kayak down a river. This is what River Bass Fishing 101 is for. This series of articles is to inform aspiring river bassers about the Continue Reading