Category: Bass

If you are a novice angler, then chances are you realize you have a lot to learn. When it comes to fishing, there are actually a surprising amount of misconceptions out there. One of the main ones that seems to never go away would be the idea that fishing should only be set aside when the days are as nice as possible. Yes, you will definitely be more comfortable if you set aside a day with nice weather in order to engage in your fishing pastime.

However, being comfortable and being at your fishing spot when you are getting a lot of bites from the fish can often be two separate things. Take fishing in rain, for instance. It often is a prime opportunity to get yourself involved in a fish feeding frenzy. Simply put, anything that changes the makeup of the water will often also change the behavior of the fish. Whereas rain might scare us away, rain actually will often make fish such as bass be much more active.

Speaking of bass, have you ever considered trying to fish for them in the rain? Believe it or not, bass LOVE the rain. They will be very plentiful during this type of weather because they are less likely to detect a human presence. This means they are more likely to take your bait. Are you ready to get a bit wet in order to give bass fishing in the rain a shot? Here are some things you should pay attention to:

Take a good, long, hard look at the runoff that the rain creates.

When your favorite fishing spot encounters rain, you will have runoff, which is rain that hits land and then washes off into the water. Characterized by the excess amount of water that you see in the lake, you will notice this extra water first of all simply because of the excess gravity. Although some runoff will simply just seep into the ground, other portions of the runoff will be in the form of excess water. Besides the fact that this runoff is an important part of the water cycle, it also helps a variety of life forms. To put it mildly, if you have runoff in your favorite fishing spot, you will have extra nutrients. These extra nutrients will attract baitfish, and now let us illustrate an important truth for some of you bass fishing beginners: in the aquatic world, the big fish will eat the little fish. Thus, the beauty of this runoff is that to a certain degree it will do the work of bait for you. The runoff will attract minnows, shad, madtoms, hellgrammites, and many other smaller fish types, and that in turn will make the bass come running.

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Of course, you also have to understand the nature of runoff in the first place. Water runoff into a lake or river will usually not occur unless there has been a torrential amount of rainfall. Indeed, the amount of rain will determine the exact size of the runoff and how long it lasts. Moreover, if there has been enough rain, you can definitely expect the runoff in the waterway to last as long as a few days.

If you notice that your fishing spot is encountering plenty of runoff, that usually means that you should investigate other spots of the lake as well just to get the big picture. You see, the places with the heaviest runoff will also often have the hardest current. Where there is current, there is a greater likelihood of encountering bass, simply because they love the current.

Another characteristic of runoff you should be aware of would be changes in water clarity. This common water runoff byproduct happens just after the runoff mixes with the ordinary water. Believe it or not, this is actually an awesome thing, simply because of the fact that it is an easy tip-off to you that yes, there is some run-off occurring in this particular area. Moreover, it usually means that there are going to be some worms and grubs that will begin feeding on the associated microorganisms and minerals that are now present in this water. However, that isn’t the only thing that occurs. Obviously, these grubs and worms will attract the baitfish, and that in turn will attract the bass that you are just itching to catch.

While there is no question that fisheries receive a lot of benefits from this water runoff, it is also up to you to fully understand what type of runoff it is. Yes, there are some runoff types that can be detrimental to your bass fishing activities. You need to know if the runoff is from melting snow or a colder type of rain, because this can negatively affect the metabolism of the bass. They will naturally seek out warmer water, thus making this particular spot not so good as a fishing location for them. If this is the type of runoff you are encountering, it is probably best for you to head to the main part of the lake in order to try your bass fishing luck.

Play to the aggressive personality of the bass.

The one thing that sets bass apart from other fish would have to be the fact that they have a very aggressive personality. On a rainy afternoon of bass fishing, you absolutely need to keep that in mind. Largemouth bass in particular are very aggressive, and they are extremely opportunistic when it comes to their feeding habits. Many anglers have found largemouths with frogs, crayfish, small mice, snakes, crayfish, and even birds within their mouths. But, what does the fact that bass are aggressive have to do with you fishing for them in the rain? Quite a bit, actually. First of all, they are going to be feeling like a kid in a candy store when they are in a waterway that has a lot of rainfall. This means that you probably won’t have as much luck if you try to fish for bass in the same spot that you always go for. In rainfall, they will be much more finicky and they will have more of a tendency to move on. That’s why you too have to keep moving around, simply because the bass will literally be acting like a big huge football defensive lineman at a restaurant buffet line.

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Yet another reason why you need to move around a lot more when you are bass fishing in the rain is because these creatures will often have a designated travel route they will take in order to get to the baitfish. If you move around the waterway, you will have a better chance of determining where the travel route of the bass is, hence a greater chance of catching them while they are on their journey.

This is also a situation where you will need to present your bait much quicker than normal. The bass will not stay in one spot as long as they normally do, so introduce it into the water as quickly as possible. Using a spinnerbait is still a good activity during this time, but make sure that you speed it up or simply just troll the top of the water.

Now is as good a time as any to take up topwater fishing.

Remember how I just said that bass are much more aggressive during this time period? Well, this is definitely true if you are attempting to fish during a downpour, and this is a great time for you to cut your teeth on topwater fishing. Bass can get so incredibly aggressive during one of these downpours that they are literally jumping from the water. Thus, this type of fishing can be defined as the simple act of attempting to entice a bass that is literally jumping out of the water right before your very eyes. Simply put, you throw out your topwater lure and it will often vanish almost instantly, and you will immediately feel a tug on your line. If you have elected to go with a topwater fishing strategy during this rainy time period, here are a few tips you should keep in mind:

Keep the docks in mind.

One of the first things you want to do if you are engaged in topwater fishing is to orient your lures near the docks of your fishing spots. This is because the docks are often a favorite place for male bass to hide after spawning in order to protect their female mate’s eggs. Thus, if you position your lure as closely as possible to the shadiest parts of the dock, then chances are you just might have some luck catching a high-quality bass.

Watch the speed of your lure.

Working a topwater lure is entirely contingent on the temperature of the water. A good rule of thumb is that the cooler the water temperature might be, the slower your retrieve on your lure should be. If you take it slow, you might have a shot at catching bass on their specific path.

Don’t hesitate to make a bit of noise with your bait.

If there is some wind accompanying the rain, then you are more likely to have more luck if you use a noisy bait such as a chugger type or one with a propeller such as a buzzbait. These baits are easier for the bass to notice, especially in the choppy waters.

Work your lure at a steady pace.

When you notice a bass giving chase to your topwater lure, that is the time for you to work your lure at a rate as steady as possible. If you stop the retrieve, your target fish might turn away from your lure. You definitely have to be smart in this case.

Cast your line out long and deep.

One of the keys to solid bass fishing in the rain if you still have a clear lake would be to cast your line out as long as possible. You can use a braided line if you have working plugs and are driving them along the surface. The no-stretch quality of a braided line will make the hook better if you have a bass striking your line from a long distance away.

Consider using spinners.

In rainy bass fishing weather, spinners can basically be your best friend. These spinners are a very versatile type of bait indeed. They are very popular among bass fisherman because they possess a smooth and flowing movement which fools the fish into thinking they are a baitfish. Within the rain, these spinner baits work even better because they will reflect any light that they have. This makes them an incredible asset for you during those rainy days when the water is murky. They should always be matched up with a good topwater lure and you will have a combination that is just about unbeatable.

You will need to spread out.

Again, we cannot emphasize this enough: if you want to catch plenty of bass during a rainy time period, you are going to have to spread out as much as possible. Naturally, there are a lot of old-timers out there that think they can outsmart the bass, and they actually take pride in it. These individuals will definitely stick to one spot, even in the rain. However, this new generation of bass fishermen realizes that the bass will be going crazy during a rainstorm, so they will move around instead. You might as well go with what works, and if the bass are moving, well, then you need to be moving around as well. You should work really hard at “beating them at their own game”, so to speak. In the rain, the fish will be moving because they will want to eat, so play the game with them and you will catch them MUCH more often.

Following these tips will help you catch more of that wonderful bass in the rain. It is definitely worth getting a bit wet if you are going to be catching more bass!

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I live in North America, where bass is the most popular game fish. Since I knew I would be out on the lake a ton this summer, I wanted to know how difficult it really was to catch some bass. So, I dove deep into my research and reeled out the real answers.

So, are bass easy to catch? The answer is that it can be, and this depends on a wide range of variables. You should take into consideration where you’re fishing, what time of year it is, what bait you’re using, and what size of bass you’re looking for. Relatively speaking though, because bass are so predatory, it does make them easier to catch. Continue reading to increase your chances of catching one.

Bass photo by @Andrew Lindsey Fishing Spots App

Fishing for bass is surprisingly a much more intricate and strategic affair that I had initially thought. While a lot of it is within our control, there is a strong element of luck involved.

The Level of Difficulty in Catching Bass

Let’s face it: catching bass can be tough. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, there are a multitude of factors to be considered and techniques that can be utilized to maximize your chances of finding bass. Firstly, if you find cover, you’ll likely find bass. Bass love to roam in cover since it helps them to easier ambush their prey – this includes rock, wood, boat docks, grass, lily pads and more.

Secondly, bass eat different live prey depending on their ecosystem. Make sure your lure imitates the type of forage that the bass in your local waters are feeding on. This means that you need to do your homework beforehand.

To be effective in catching bass, you need to be versatile. Depending on the season and the location, your circumstances when fishing can vary greatly, so you shouldn’t get too comfortable with one technique. Keep changing your locations and getting accustomed to different fishing conditions, and you will be more skilled in catching bass easily.

You also need to understand how the weather plays a part in fishing for bass. Weather conditions have a dramatic effect on bass behavior, and it’s a key factor in becoming a great bass angler. Cloudy days are ideal for bass fishing, since bass tend to be more active and willing to hunt for prey, thus exposing themselves. Also, windy days stimulate bass to bite, which can help you in your endeavor.

Finding the Right Equipment

The first thing you should make sure you have is the right lure. The three main types of lures that are best for catching bass are crank baits, spinner baits, and plastic worms. You can use any of these successfully at any time of the year, but one conscious choice you will have to make is the choice in color. Usually, you should have two of each lure in your tackle box: one in a natural color, and one in a vibrant color.

Crank bait are tiny lures that look like small, live fish. There are two hooks, with three points each for each lure – one at the tail, and one under the belly. They also have a flat plastic area on the lip of the fish. Spinner baits have two main parts – one arm that has large, curved metal blades, while the other arm is the same length, but with a hook on the end. Sometimes, the hook is covered in a plastic wig that hides the hook or hooks. The spinner arms are often also shaped like a fish, making them look like the crank fish. If you want to fool the fish into thinking the bait is injured, be sure to use a spinner bait with a red or pink head. This works particularly well in shallow cover, around wood, stumps or clumps of grass.

Plastic worms look like large earthworms and have a hook embedded into them. They’re effective, as the fish is hooked as soon as they try to eat the worm, but requires more patience. A pro tip from professional anglers is to save the plastic worms that have gotten torn up from prior fishing trips. Bass like to ambush wounded prey, so a beaten worm is perfect to attract bass, especially in shallow water.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to use lures, you can also use live bait to trap your bass. Some common types of live bait to use are worms, minnows or crawfish. Worms are easiest, since you can keep them refrigerated in dirt if you don’t use them all in one trip. They’re also easy to keep and carry around. Crawfish and minnows are harder to handle because you must keep them in a water bucket while you fish. If you’re going to use minnows, bass prefer the shinier ones, and ones of the creek variety. Alternatively, you can use frogs, insects or salamanders.

Next, you can pick from two preferred reels for bass fishing. The main difference between the two is the level of experience needed by the person doing the fishing. A more experienced fisherman can use a spinning reel, also known as an open-faced reel, since it requires more dexterity to maneuver. A spin cast reel, also known as a closed face reel can be used by a beginner, since it doesn’t demand any advanced moves.

The power of a rod is its weight capacity, and it’s usually indicated on the side of the rod. If you plan on catching larger bass, you need to rod with medium to medium light power. If you’re catching smaller bass, you just need a rod with lighter power.

Choosing When and Where to Fish

It’s widely agreed among the fishing community that the best time to fish for bass is during the pre-spawn. This is when fish are waking up from the winter inactivity to start the mating cycle. To start, the water temperature will begin to rise to about 55 or 60 degrees, and the males and females will rise within the waters to interact with each other. Due to them being dormant for so many of the colder months, they generally emerge quite angry and aggressive during the pre-spawn. This pre-spawn period usually falls around the early spring, and lasts the whole season.

During pre-spawn, you can catch bass closer to the shore, and closer to the surface of the water. However, remember that if you catch a female during this period, you should let her go so she can next and populate the water with more bass.

No matter the season you end up fishing for bass in, be sure to use a map to strategically plan where you’ll be fishing. Proper maps will show you the depths of waters in different areas, and will point out drop-offs under the surface of the water. Since bass typically lurk near the bottom during non-peak times, it’s good to linger in these areas, especially during pre-spawn.

Further, it’s important to consider the time of day when it comes to searching for bass. The best time of day to catch bass is in the early hours of the morning and the last few hours of the day. The bass is more at ease with biting when the sun isn’t overhead, so getting to it either an hour before sunrise or after sunset is always a good idea. Bass don’t like direct sunlight, so look for shaded areas if you’re there during the day – anywhere away from extreme light and heat. They also like to be near areas that are covered, so you can fish near objects, vegetation or obstructions in the water, like a fallen stump or tree in the water. Of course, you’ll have to be more careful that your lures or hooks don’t get stuck on these objects.

A trick to getting under docks and other structures is to stop halfway instead of following through when casting your bait. This makes the lure hit the surface of the water a few feet ahead of your target, sending the lure skittering across the water.

The ideal weather condition is a cloudy day with a light breeze as this allows fish to roam and get comfortable cruising up to shallower depths, and feeding on anything in their paths. These conditions are ideal for fishing top water baits over vegetation, rocky points, or a big sand flat. This could very well be one of the most exciting ways to catch bass, since you can see everything as it happens.

If the sun gets high on a warm day, the smallmouth bass will push down to deeper water. In this case, the best thing to do is to toss a tube out and let it sink to the bottom, slowly dragging it back to the boat. If you get a bite and the tube slows down, you can use the drop shot technique to put more fish in the boat. However, it’s important to remember that smallmouth can still be in shallow water, and a wacky rigged bait placed near a dock, tree, or vegetation will entice anything nearby to come out and eat. In short, this technique catches fish…not necessarily bass.

Now on the other hand, largemouth bass can be easier to track at times, with a high sun. They become easier to pattern as they gravitate towards vegetation with overhanging cover like lily pads, eel grass, arrowheads, and the like. You can bait it up close and personal, by putting your bait in the fish’s face. If you drop it near them, a bite will come quickly, so you’ll have to be ready to set the hook and get your fish out.

On windy days where boat control can be difficult, head over to a wind-blown point, shoreline, or shoal and set yourself up facing into the wind. The wind acts like a current, delivering bait to the fish who are waiting for an easy meal. Your aim should be to bring your bait right into their faces.

Another thing to consider is how to find the right location to fish, having considered what size bass you’re tracking. If you want to learn how to catch bass, the first thing you need to know is how to locate the ideal habitat for this warm water fish species. Largemouth bass will more likely be found in shallower areas of freshwater ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers that contain some type of cover in the form of vegetation, brush, trees, or structure. One of the key largemouth bass fishing tips to remember is that you’re more likely to find these fish close to cover. Regardless of whether you are fishing from the shoreline or from a boat, you should gravitate towards any submerged trees, vegetation, docks, bridges, or changes in bottom depth. Just as when learning how to fish for any other species, finding spots that offer cover or structure is a good first step.

Learning the Proper Techniques

If you decide to catch bass with crank bait, you’re tricking the bass into striking, since your bait holds the appearance of injured, weak fish in the water. To use the crank bait, decorate your line with lure and cast your pole into the lake. If you are fishing in a calmer body of water, make sure you’re using steady, even pulls and reels with the bait to mimic a live fish. If it’s windy or the waters are choppy, switch between fast and slow reeling.

Spinner baits have bright, spinning blades that attract the attentions of bass and pulls them close, since the movement bothers them. The problem with spinner baits is that bass often bite at the blades instead of the hook, making it more difficult and time-consuming to hook a bass.

Using a worm for bait is probably the easiest of all methods, since all you need to do is cast your worm-adorned line into the water, and let it sink to the bottom while you wait. You don’t need to do anything else, except be sure to add weight to your worm to ensure it sinks down to the bottom.

Bass are extremely attracted to live prey. If you want to hook the fish with live bait, the best technique is to constantly move around your line to mimic the live fish, worm or frog. Since your bait is either completely dead or almost there, you need to either keep reeling your pole either in and out or back and forth.

Bass have boney jaws, so be sure to sharpen your hooks, to better penetrate the fish. Also, once you catch your first bass and put it in the livewell, you can see what it was feeding on. Bass are known for spitting up what they were eating, which will help you to decide which lure to cast for the rest of the day.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a complete article on how to catch bass without discussing the drop shot rig. You can fish drop shot rigs in any type of water, including deep waters, shallow waters, and all in between. A drop shot rig consists of line tied to a hook with a trailing leader that comes to an end with a weight, so that the weight is at the bottom and the hook and bait are above it. While you have the option to choose from many hooks, weights, and bait options for your drop shot rig, we’ll only be discussing a general set-up.

Since the drop shot rig is a delicate technique, you’ll need to choose a light line with low visibility. You can use fluorocarbon in 6-8 lbs., or a lighter braided light with a 2-foot fluorocarbon leader – both are great choices. Next, you need to a split shot or drop shot hook, preferably size 1-1/O. These are perfect for finesse fishing and most companies have good drop shot hooks to choose from. These are generally great for close range baiting, providing the most action and natural motion. Most drop shot weights possess a crimped swivel that makes it easy to clip onto your line, but weights from 1/8 oz. to ¼ oz. that you can tie on will also work, but use your own discretion. It depends on the roughness of the water and other variables.

Nose hooking the bait is a good way to start, but you can also do wacky rigging or Texas rigging with a straight shank or wide gap hook. Firstly, you’ll need to take the drop shot hook in between your fingers and put the line through the top of the hook eyelet, and then pull it through enough that you will have at least a foot or more tag end to make a leader. After you have enough line, you should make a loop with it and thread the line back through the bottom of the hook. While holding the loop on the bottom side of the hook and leaving a longer tag end on the top side, you should make a single knot with the loop and take it over the front of the hook, giving you the makings of a knot. Next, you should wet the line with saliva and cinch it tight, leaving you with a tag end. With that end, you will next take it through the top of the hook and pull it tight to cinch the hook straight on the line. Then, just put your weight on the line by clipping it on the tag end or tie it if necessary. Once you’ve done all that, you have a drop shot rig!

If you pair the best early season bass lures with the best fishing techniques, you can hook a bass no matter where they are hiding. If you’re heading out to do some bass fishing, a little extra help never hurt. Here are a few more early spring bass fishing tips to set you up for success this season:

• Cast for repeat results: One of the best tips for early spring bass fishing success is to keep note and pay close attention to what is working for you and what is not. Since bass behavior changes often with the fluctuating weather and temperature in spring, each day on the water may call for a different approach. Once you find a technique that wins you a bite, repeat the same cast and retrieve to catch a few more – but never get too comfortable, as there are many factors at play.
• Fish out the area: Bass usually congregate in the same areas in spring — meaning if you catch one, you may catch a dozen more in the same spot. After your first catch, continue casting in the same area. If you do not get a second bite, try different angles in the same area before moving to a new spot.
• Pay attention to water conditions: The constant change in spring weather can make it a challenge to locate bass. However, by paying close attention to the water conditions, you can find bass more quickly on each subsequent spring fishing trip. Once you find an area where bass is congregating, take a mental note of the water color, depth, temperature and bottom conditions. Consider the location of the ridge or point relative to channels and flats. This information and data will help you track down bass more quickly next time!
• Watch for birds: When fishing with jerkbaits or crankbaits, watch for areas where birds are diving to catch dying baitfish. These will often be spots where hungry bass are also congregating and where jerkbaits and crankbaits will be most effective.
• Use the wind to your advantage: On spring days when the water is clear, bass can see your bait more clearly and be more cautious with regards to biting. On the positive side, wind can help to disturb the surface of the water to attract bass better. If you are not getting any bites on a clear lake, try again when the wind picks up.
• Fish the mudlines: If you are having trouble locating bass on a spring day, you should look for mudlines created by wind and waves. Bass will often hide along the edges of mudlines where they have the advantage over baitfish which are drawn there to feed on plankton. You can benefit from using brightly colored lures, drag your line across a mudline from the muddy water into the clear water. Bass will usually strike just as the bait emerges.

With the right techniques and a little bit of luck, you can reel in a big bass to start the season right.

At the end of the day, fishing is like any other sport – the more you practice, the better you get. Keep learning and keep fishing!

Related Questions

Where should I hook the live bait? The most popular place to hook them is in the middle of the side, towards the top. This allows them to swim around more easily when submerged. Keep in mind that you should be careful not to puncture the swim bladder.

What pound of line do I need to catch bass? For larger fish, I will usually try and hit 10 lbs. Since in bass habitat you’ll generally find a ton of lily pads or other vegetation, so you need to make sure that your line is strong enough to get the fish through those weed structures.

How much of it is attributable to luck? In an investigation which spanned more than 20 years, researchers at the University of Illinois offered an explanation as to why fishing success in certain lakes varies from year to year. The simplest explanation of the results of the investigation is that some bass is just easier to catch than others, and that there is a vulnerability trait can be passed onto their offspring. In short, once all the easy fish are caught, only the tougher fish and/or their progeny remain.

Four years after the start of the research project, the lake was drained and approximately 1,700 fish were collected – 200 of which had never been caught before. The bass was then sorted, and the 200 were designated as Low Vulnerability (LV) bass and released, since they were not prone to being caught. Those caught four or more times were designated as High Vulnerability (HV) fish and released into different ponds to spawn. The progeny of the two lines were then marked and released into common ponds; this process was repeated for several generations over 20 years.

It was found that the offspring of HV fish were easier to catch than the offspring of LV bass, even after generations of breeding. With bass, females lay the eggs but leave the caregiving to the males, which guard the nest and stay with the offspring for 8 to 10 days after they hatch. If a male happens to be an HV parent, it’s not surprising if they take off from the nest site, leaving offspring vulnerable to predators. Meanwhile, nests guarded by LV males, which are better at resisting lures, remain intact, and their progeny maturing into fish that are good at resisting baits. That’s the luck factor that plays a part in bass fishing, so be sure to keep track of where the HV bass are!