Bass are among the most popular group of fish sought by recreational anglers. In the United States, bass are categorized under the sunfish family. Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, redeye, Suwannee and Guadalupe bass are all cousins and pursued in waterways throughout the country.
With a basic level of proficiency, it’s not difficult to capture a bass. However, by considering bass fishing strategy briefly, you can improve your chances of a catch while increasing your enjoyment of the sport.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Graphite or fiberglass medium-light or medium action rod
- Baitcasting reel with minimum of three ball bearings
- Circular hook
- Variety of crankbaits
Step 1
Pick the best graphite or fiberglass medium-light or medium action rod you can afford to ensure greater sensitivity to biting fish and for a more accurate cast.
Step 2
Seek a baitcasting reel with a minimum three ball bearings that offers either a magnetic or centrifugal braking system to reduce the amount of backlash and to slow the spool while fishing. Fill your spool with line, as spools that are only partially filled can require greater force to move.
Step 3
Choose fishing line test both for the size of fish you’re pursuing and especially for matching specifications of the rod and reel being used. Attach a circular hook to your line as it will decrease the chances of a bass injuring itself by swallowing the hook.
Step 4
Select a variety of lures for bait. Pick deep and shallow water crankbaits, two of each with one resembling baitfish and the other very bright. Choose two spinnerbait options, one a baitfish and the other flashy. Take natural-colored plastic worms as well.
Step 5
Vary your retrieval speed when reeling in crankbaits. Reel in at a medium pace during clear conditions. Reel in by altering between slow and fast during rough or low visibility conditions.
Step 6
Draw your lures through the water as if they are real swimming fish to draw the curiosity of bass.
Step 7
Check the weather as it often affects bass movement. Fish for largemouth bass, for example, in deeper waters during bitterly cold weather as the fish seek distance from icy surfaces. Fish during windy weather as microorganisms can be blown along the water surface inviting bass for a quick meal.
Step 8
Learn the characteristics of the fish you’re pursuing. Cast in among the weeds for largemouth bass, near debris laden areas with rocks and gravel for smallmouth bass and at depths up to 100 feet for infrequently seen striped bass.
Tips & Warnings
- If you want to use a boat to reach a favored fishing spot, use a canoe as opposed to a motor boat, as a thumping motor puts bass on guard.
- Likewise, avoid dropping your paddles on the gunwales of the canoe for the same reason.
