Bass Fishing

Bass Fishing

Habitat for the Bass

Factors Influencing the Type of Structure the Bass Uses

The largemouth bass inhabits many lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks throughout North America. This species of fish prefers structure such as deep drop offs, mid lake humps, depressions, rocks and flats. The specific type of structure the largemouth uses is dependant upon many factors such as the water clarity, the season of the year, the prevalent forage and the amount of vegetation the body of water contains.

 

Water Clarity

Water clarity effects the depth the largemouth bass occupies. In very clear lakes the largemouth will move to deeper water to avoid predation by birds. These fish will migrate along routes from mid level depths to deep drops to feed on the area forage. At night, these fish may move to shallower water such as mid lake humps or shallow flats to feed on crawfish, minnows and shiners as the cover of night prevents predation by birds and also offers better ambush opportunities for the bass.

Seasons

The time of year or seasons will often predicate the location of the largemouth bass. The summer months produce the highest temperatures of the year. The oxygen content near the surface of the waters the bass occupies is often depleted of oxygen and forces fish to deeper waters except for the early morning or late evening hours. During these times the largemouth may be found schooling on top whereby they attack baitfish schools in packs creating a feeding frenzy and frothing the waters surface.

 

The fall season in the mid to southern states of the U.S. is often very good for feeding fish. They will use mid lake humps, coves and mid water depths as they feed heavily on forage in preparation for the cold winter months.

 

The winter season in the southern states results in bass being either in very deep water or shallow water with very heavy cover such as thick weeds. The bass are very inactive and reaction strikes are more common than feeding strikes during a fishing outing. Cold fronts often results in very little to no feeding activity by the largemouth.

 

During the spring, the bass can be found in relatively shallow flats near some type of cover as they are either preparing to spawn or are in the act of procreation. The spring in the southern states can be as early as mid February while in the northern states it may be as late as May.

 

Forage

The primary forage in the lake often dictates the type of structure the bass occupies. In shad filled lakes and reservoirs, the bass will often use the deeper migration routes following these baitfish. The largemouth will often stage at deep dropoffs and mid lake humps to setup ambush areas.

 

In lakes and rivers systems that offer shiners, the bass are often found in shallow flats near weedlines. This forage primarily uses the weeds for it's own forage base therefore attracting bass to these locations.

 

Waters that harbor crawfish often attract bass to the locations where these may be found. Most often the crawfish can be found near rockpiles and heavy vegetation. If the rocks are deep, the bass will be deep or vice versa.

 

Vegetation

Vegetation is prevelant in many lakes and river systems. Vegetation such as hydrilla, peppergrass, coontail moss, bulrush and grass all harbor forage for the bass. It also provides ambush cover.

 

The more vegetation that exists in a lake the more likely the bass will be found in shallower waters even in the hottest or coldest months of the year.

 

Fishing Gear

 

Rods and Reels

Today’s rods for bass fishing are an important factor in catching them. The two primary types of rods used are baitcasting and spinning.

 

Baitcasting Rods/Reels

The baitcasting rod is a style where the reel is seated on top of the rod. The materials used in this type of rod can be made of fiberglass or graphite. Rod lengths vary from 5’ to as long as 8’.

Spinning Rods/Reels

This style of rod has the reel seated below the rod. Similar materials and rod lengths to the bait casting types are available.

Baitcasting Gear versus Spinning Gear

The baitcasting gear’s primary advantage is leverage/power. The rods usually have a higher Young’s Modulus of Elasticity (stiffer) than comparable spinning rods and provide a greater force to the hook when the rod is set.

The baitcasting reel retrieval of the fishing line is similar to a winch. This provides maximum force for pulling fish up and out of structure and cover where the bass is often found. The straight retrieval also reduces line twist which is a common issue with spinning reels.

The spinning gear’s primary advantage is the ability to cast light lures long distances. The lack of a revolving spool significantly reduces the friction associated with the cast. Spinning gear does not backlash which is a common problem for beginners using baitcasting gear.

Fishing Line

The fishing lines used in bass fishing include nylon monofilament, fluorocarbon and braided lines.

Monofilament Lines

Fluorocarbon Lines

Braided Lines

 

Braided lines were used many years ago and lost their popularity upon the advent of monofilament lines. With the development of new materials, braided line is being used more frequently. Although it’s visibility is high, smaller diameters for the same pound test in monofilament can often offset this disadvantage. Another advantage of braid over monofilament is the reduced amount of stretch that translates to better hook setting properties.

Artificial Fishing Lures

Although bass will feed on natural baits such as shiners, crawfish and earthworms, the common method of catching them is with artificial lures. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, tubes and topwaters are the most popular lures used today.

Plastic Worms

Plastic worms are available in many colors, styles and sizes. These baits consistently produce bass year in and year out. Colors range from purple to watermelon and often have glitter molded in the plastic to add reflection. Styles vary from straight to ribbon tailed and fishermen use both depending on the aggressiveness of the bass. Sizes range from 4" to as large as 12".

The Texas Rig is the most common technique in fishing the plastic worm. The rig use a large hook from 2/0 to as large as 6/0. The weight is bullet shaped and varies from 1/16 to 1 ½ ounces. This rig usually cast to some type of structure or cover such as timber, weedlines and docks. The retrieve is slow maintaining bottom contact. The water depth that this technique is most often used is between 1’ to 8’.

The Carolina Rig is also an effective method to catch the bass. This rig uses heavier weights from ½ to 1 ½ ounces. The weight is above a length of leader that is tied to a barrel swivel and a small bead is used between the weight and swivel to prevent line damage and add sound. The leader is then tied to a hook ranging in size from 1/0 to 3/0. This rig is used to probe deeper bass territory and the common depths for this technique is from 10’ to 40’. The motion for retrieval is a slow sideward pull once the worm has reached the bottom.

The spinnerbait is available in 1/8 to 1 ounce weights with a variety of skirt colors and blade styles. The heavier lures are used for deeper water and colors are often chosen depending on water clarity. The two most common style of blades used on the spinnerbait are the Colorado and willow leaf. The Colorado style produces more vibration and used in muddy/stained waters. The willow leaf is used in clearer waters and produce more flash.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits come in two predominate styles, the diving and the rattling lipless style. The diving style is available in many natural shad colors as well as bright colors such as red and chartreuse. The diving crankbait has a large lip in front of the lure that provides a diving action and imparts a wiggle to the bait. These baits are used in depths from as little as 1’ to as deep as 20’.

The lipless rattling crankbait has a tighter wiggle over the diving style. These baits are used in depths from 2’ to 15’. At the deeper depths, a jigging technique is used. These baits are very effective around vegetation.

Jerkbaits

The jerkbait is found as either a hard plastic style or soft plastic. The hard style usually has a small diving lip on the front with either 2 or 3 treble hooks. These are used when the bass is schooling on top, near weedline edges or when fishing shallow waters. The jerk/pause retrieve is commonly used.

Jigs

Tubes

Topwaters

Topwater baits come in several varieties including propeller, buzzbaits, Zara spooks and snake imitations. Unless the fish are actively schooling on top these lures are worked around structure and cover such as weedlines and timber.

The propeller styles are worked with a jerk/pause retrieve often changed to invoke a strike.

Buzzbaits are cast along weed edges or stump fields and steadily cranked in.

Zara spooks use a "walk the dog" retrieve.

 

The snake imitations are often cast onto floating weedmats and worked out.

Bass Boats

Bass boats were produced in mass production when bass tournaments became popular in the late 1960’s. Today’s boats have motors as large as 300 horsepower and can be as long as 22 feet. Their speeds can top the 90 mph mark but most run in the 60-70 mph range.

Bass Tournaments

Bass tournaments have become a favorite sport for anglers both on the water and on television. The largest professional trails in the US include the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and the FLW Tour. These trails provide both live and prerecorded events on TV. The fishermen rival the look and feel of NASCAR proudly displaying their sponsors in bright colors on both their uniforms and boats.

Bass tournament fishing is very popular at the local level as well. Many bass clubs and small tournament trails exist in many counties and cities across the US.

Winning a bass tournament requires skill and knowledge. The skills include casting, pitching, and flippin’ with great precision. The hook set and landing abilities are also very important. Knowledge acquired from practicing on the water or from reading books, internet articles and magazines are a must to be successful.