BASS FISHING 101

Bass fishing during the Summer months can be very exciting. Fishing is an art that defines you. Many people swear by their methods based on what works for them. Here is a good tip to remember for your next Bass Fishing trip:

When fishing for Bass, it is best to first start off with Soft Lures such as: Worms, Lizards, Flukes or your choice of soft lure. Once you establish a basis of what colors they are interested in verses what is on their menu for that day, you will find that choosing a Crank Bait or other Hard Plastic Lures comes much easier than guessing what color to use, rattle or no rattle, big or small, etc. By fishing your Soft Lures first, you can establish what they are interested in for that day.

I have fished some of the biggest Lakes and Streams the Great United States has to offer. I have found that a Bass loves a Natural Looking Bait, Soft or Hard. Fancy Hooks, Colored Beads, and As Seen on TV gimmicks just cannot beat what a seasoned Bass fisherman already knows. I find it best to choose a large enough hook similar in color to the bait I am using, that can be rigged, weedless and without weight of any kind appeals to a Bass 10 times more than a rig that contains a Super Hook with a Bead, with Tru-Turn, with a wide gape, etc. One must remember that Bass, while being very intelligent, also has sharp eyesight, and a strong sense of smell. By offering him a meal that looks as Natural as what he is used to preying on is the key to catching Trophy Bass. 

Bass are very smart and therefore must be studied in order to know what their like and dislikes are. On cloudy, overcast days or sunny, hot & humid days, they may be in deep water or on the hunt for an easy meal in the shallows. Surely you already know the behavior of the Bass in your favorite fishing location. There are 3 things to remember when Bass fishing and these are the most important things to consider when trying to get a picky Bass to take your bait no matter the weather.

1.) 10 to 14lbs Test Line (I suggest Red Cajun line), Small black swivel for quick changing lures (Make sure it is small but can withstand a Big Bass on the end of it without Failure), A Hook that is as close is color to the bait color as possible (Black and Red Hooks work best), No weight added at all and last but not least, make sure to rig it Weedless.

For Example: If you have a 6inch Black, frilly tailed worm on, the best technique is to cast it out and allow the bait to sink to the bottom. I have found that I catch a majority of Bass on the natural sinking of the Lure. Once the bait has sunk, slowly begin to retrieve by using a reel and sink method. Hold rod tip upright as you present the lure and reel it in using slow bursts of bobbing it up and allowing it to sink Naturally then repeat. This triggers an urge to feed reaction in Bass in that location by fooling them into thinking that this lure maybe injured and is an easy meal. Be patient. Each cast and retrieve should last at least 4 minutes. Most Bass need a little tempting before they give in and take the bait. 

2.) If the Water Clarity is clear, then all colors and sizes may be used. But, if the Water Clarity is cloudy to merky, then this is where you will need to concentrate on offering the Bass a meal that they can see and not really hear. Bass have excellent eyesight but, just us humans, the Bass has difficulties seeing clearly in low light and has trouble be able to accurately determine what he is seeing. It simply does not register with him, he saw something but, what was it? Was is a bigger fish? Is it after him? Bass think just like humans when it comes to not being able to see in low light situations, the Bass panic and so do we.

For Example: In this scenario, you want to present the Bass with a Darker Colored Lure that is more easily seen is Low Visibility Situations, as with us, we have no problem making out a sillouette in Low Light and Bass are no different. Present the Bass an easy meal by using a Dark colored soft lure such as a Green Pumpkin Seed Fluke or a Motor Oil colored Tube Bait. Present it in the same natural sinking nature as described on number 1. With patients, you when soon begin to discover that there are Bass in this water. And you are having a blast catching them!

3.) Last but not Least: A good way to catch more Bass at your favorite spot is knowledge of what kind of Natural Food Sources are there. Next time you go fishing, take several index cards with you and document the natural habitat and any natural food sources you see. For example: Are there alot of frogs around? What about Horse Flys and Snake Doctors? Do you see alot of little fish swimming around the shore area? Are these smaller fish Bream or Bass? Knowing your surroundings will improve the overall knowledge you will need to know in order to be successful in catching Bass at your favorite spot. By taking notes, you can document what Colors workd best that day and record what time it is, Water Clarity, Water Temp, etc. If there are not alot of smalled fish around the shore, this is a tell-tell sign that something is feeding on them and therefore you can now try Live Minnows/Bait. Perhaps this is their favorite meal. Do not get into the habit of fishing the same way each and everytime you go to that location. Change it up and fish areas around there you have not fished from before. To grown up with weeds, etc? Get the owners permission and ask if you can cut some limbs, etc back. Most owners want their property to look nice and be well groomed but jus don't have the time. You can do it and now can fish from a spot that no has accessed for years. The possibilities are endless. Fishing is what YOU make it. But Put in your time and be patient and you too will have many trophy's on your wall or camera to prove it.

Tune in next time when we discuss Cat Fishing and some very old, proven techniques for catching some monster Cats!

Thank you and God-Bless.....Remember: Take a Kid Fishing!