Where/How to fish for Bass?

[frankenfish]

I have been fishing for only two years. I am learning how to fish for Salmon, have gotten pretty good at Steelehead, and I'm doing OK on Trout.

I want to start fishing for Bass, smallmouth and largemouth. My son, who is 12, does not have the patience needed for Steelhead, and I would like to take him out to fish for Bass.

We live in Portland. I do have a 3 man pontoon boat, so water access should not be a problem. For Smallmouth, I have heard the John Day and the Umpqua are really good. Trouble is, I haven't the foggiest how to fish for them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I'll also get some books on the subject.

[MrFish]

Learning to bass fish with a young son or daughter can be a real family bonding experience (that sounds sappy). I taught my son on summer drifts on the John Day and the South Fork of the Umpqua. Remeber there are closer waters to the PDX area that won't take as big a time commitment and probably have bigger if not as many smallies.

I'd start him on a small black or purple grub on a crappie-sized jig head fished 2 feet below a good old plastic bobber. The water in the JDR or Umpqua will jiggle the grub around, the float will signal a fish and keep it away from the rocks. He can cast out of the pontoon boat and almost forget the rod and let the current do the rest.

Lot's easier than bait and not as snaggy as using a small spinner like a rooster tail, which I'm sure someone here will recomend as a popular kids rig.

You might think of joining or at least visiting the Oregon Bass and Panfish Club which has monthly meetings in Southeast Portland. Not the most serious or technical bass fishermen, but a friendlier and more family oriented group you'll never meet.

MrFish

[Hawg Caller]

:shrug: F.F. I'm mostly a big game fisherman,so I'll probably hear it it from those who know more, but,I fish for smallies when there's nothing else going on,usually summer,I have had good luck "fast trolling" small hot shots in the willammette.I've not heard of anyone else doing this but it works for me.I'm sure i'll hear it from the "purists" but there it is.p.s. I live in newberg so I fish the upper willy.for them, have taken some nice fish that way.good luck

[bucketmouth]

The OBPC is the largest wholy independent bass fishing club this side of the Mississippi. We have 350 members. We are not a tournament club. We schedule several fishing outings throughout the year. We call these outings Fish-ins. Depending on where the fish-in is held, we can have as many as 90 club members attend! Each month at our regular meetings we have informative speakers come and address topics from Bass fishing to anchoring & boat safety. In the Past we have had some very high profile names in the industry speak. I won't mention names here cuz I don't want anybody to feel left out. But I can tell you that many Sportsmans Show speakers have also been our guest speakers. The Club is family oriented and we really do have fun. Espically on the fish-ins. To spice things up on the outings, we through in potluck dinners, fish frys and BBQ's. There are amature contest for fun and non boaters are welcome to fish with those who do have boats. The club is also highly involved in reclamation of habitat and enhancement of the warm water fishery. If you or anyone would like to attend please feel welcome to do so!

[Basscaster]

I agree and hit the John Day or the Umpqua this summer. They are both phenomenal fisheries and scenery is awesome. I always pretty much throw small grubs and worms in smoke colors and do pretty well.