I grew up in Hamilton in the east end and have fished a few places for bass. Here's my favourite places:
1) Binbrook Conservation Area (aka Lake Niapenco). Fishing with spinners and slow retrieving a worm harness/spinner was good working either side of where the rock piles start by the damn. There are pike in those areas as well so if you throw anything really flashy be prepared.
2) Hamilton Harbour Pier (Harbour side, South close to the public launch, go to the end of that pier facing into the harbour) Using mepps black fury casting as far as you can into the harbour with a slow retrieve works amazing last hour or 2 before dusk on stripers.
3) 50 Point Conservation. If you're willing to try, take a fly rod light weight/floating with any top fly as long as it's dark (grey or black) in the pond. The rock bass are very aggressive and a great way to learn. You may get the odd trout too
If smallies are more your speed then go out at the end of the marina and work the rocks with a blue fox (red skirt) or work a senko on an offset hook with no weight. Slow fall in the rocks is the key.
Those were my top 3. If you want to venture out, working the west side rock side of Lasalle park in Burlington is fun for rock and smallies. I haven't made it out to Jordan harbour yet but I've heard it can be very good for large mouths. Once I get my boat fixed up I'll me making a trip out to work the lily pads with a jig....damn I need to get it done...
Anyhoo, hope this info helps.
Bones...
