Bass Fishing: Getting Started

So you’re thinking about taking up bass fishing …

Many people think bass fishing is complicated. Not true. It’s actually a fun and relaxing activity.

Of course, there are always tips, tricks, and techniques that will help make your bass fishing trips more enjoyable … and successful.

So what are some of these ‘insider’ bass fishing secrets that you need to know? 

First and foremost, you’ll want to find out about the bass in the area where you plan to fish. Things like …

• Where they like to hang out
• What kind of weather conditions they like
• What bait is most appealing to them
• What time of day they like the best
• What water depth appeals most to them
• What kind of water they prefer — muddy or clear, warm or cool

The next thing is to make sure you choose the right bait. Bass fishing baits can include crank baits, spinner baits, plastic worms, buzz baits, top water lures, live bait, plus many others. The one you choose will depend a great deal on where you intend to fish, the time of day, and several other factors.

Choosing your bass fishing rod and reel is usually based on the type of bait you will be using. Of course, comfort and ease-of-use is also important. The variety of rods and reels that are offered can be overwhelming, so it’s best to buy from a reputable shop where you can get solid advice.

In fact, the best place to go to get started in  bass fishing is your local sporting goods store. However, don’t just talk to any sales rep. Ask for the bass fishing expert. This is the person that’s going to lead you in the right direction and give you the guidance you need to go out and land the “big one.”

Get Hooked on Bass Fishing

If you haven’t ever tried bass fishing, you’re in for a treat! Hundreds of people are hooked, pardon the pun, on this hobby and many others are trying to find out what the buzz is all about.

Bass fishing is much more than just catching a fish. Its about getting those prized big bass and having the opportunity to show it off!

If you’re just beginning the sport, the first thing to focus on is the type of lure you will use because the bait can make all the difference in the world on whether you go home empty-handed or with a load of bass.

Surveys among pro bass fisherman have shown that plastic worms are the best. Ranking second and third were are the spinner bait and the crank bait. Using a worm is slower, but absolutely effective and is very seductive to bass. They usually work best when the bass are schooled over a particular structure.

When using a plastic worm, you need to be able to sense when the bass strikes. If you can’t, it’s usually due to a sinker that is too heavy and a line that is too thick. To help you to overcome this predicament, you are advised to use a variable buoyancy worm using lead strip sinkers. Here are some of the advantages:

• No moving lead on the line to dampen the feel of a gentle pickup
• You can apply the precise amount of lead to deliver the worm action needed
• It makes it easier for a bass to inhale the worm
• It aids in hook setting
• It’s easier to shake loose from snags
• You can cause the worm to hang virtually suspended over the bottom when fishing shallow water.

To tell how much lead strip is needed, wrap one strip around the hook and bury the barb in the plastic worm. Ease it into the water and watch it sink, it should barely settle toward the bottom. If it sinks too fast, take some off. Make sure to use no heavier than 8-pound mono line, preferably 6 pound.

Advantages of using a spinner bait are that it can be moved more quickly across the surface and can be bounced on the bottom, sent against a tree limb, and moved in many different ways in order to stimulate strikes. It is a great probing lure for the shoreline because of its tangle-free construction.

Crank baits cover a lot of water in a hurry. Using them, you can check out a spot without wasting too much time. You can use them for locating fish that may be scattered.

The most important thing is, no matter what lure you select for the particular lake that you are fishing on, you need to make it as easy as possible for the bass to get at it. How do you do that? Drop that lure right in front of them! Scientists have proven that bass calculate the amount of energy it will take them to go after the prey.

Where to fish? Bass love ambush spots offering lots of cover from the bait. They like to hide and pounce on their prey.

Aside from considering the lures, it is also important to determine the accurate time to go bass fishing. Dawn and dusk are definitely when the biggest bass can be brought in because this is when they are feeding. Bass are much more likely to follow the bait when they’re feeding because they are less aware of threats.

There is one exception to fishing during dusk or dawn and that is when the water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature wipes out certain aquatics and terrestrials, which nullifies the food chain feeding.

As you spend more and more hours and days on bass fishing, you will acquire lots of knowledge about the right lure and technique for the proper way to do this sport. The best advice most experienced and seasoned bass fishermen offer is to examine the fishing conditions, ask for tips from anglers familiar with the waters you are fishing in and finally, try many different lures and bass-fishing techniques until you discover what works most effectively to the situation, and which one you are most comfortable with.