Bass fishing is highly popular in the angling community.
Bass tend to have a predictable spawning and feeding season making them easier to catch.
However, as an angler, you need to be persistent in order to land your first bass.
Once you have secured your first catch the adrenaline rush will keep bringing you back for more.
In other words, it is you who is hooked!
Before you master the art of catching bass you should begin by understanding the instincts of how bass reacts to lures and baits.
Any bass fisherman can tell you that you should be patient and willing to experiment with your technique to catch bass.
If you are a bass angler trying to perfect their technique you are at the right place.
We have compiled this guide to provide you with the best bass fishing tips in order to help you land your next trophy bass.
Here's What's In Store For You...
How To Catch Different Types Of Bass
Bass can be divided into two distinct types – largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
Although they belong to the same species in order to catch them you will have to use different techniques and methods.
The size of their mouths plays an important role in deciding the fishing technique you will be using.
Moreover, you will find the big largemouth bass in warm southern waters while the smallmouths in colder northern regions.
How to Catch Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass fishing is the most thrilling among freshwater fishing because largemouth bass put up a heck of a fight as they are one of the most hard-hitting freshwater gamefish.
Before you cast your bait you must find a spot with largemouth bass.
You will have to look around the shoreline because big bass tends to hold around vertical cover in that area.
Largemouth Bass Fishing Technique.
The best technique you can use to catch big largemouth bass is a Carolina rig and soft plastic.
Using this setup will tempt active bass to strike on your bait because it gives a natural presentation that mimics bait fish.
Moreover, the free-floating bait has a natural appeal, and combined with the right soft plastic it will surely entice the nearby bass.
The ball and swivel on the rig reflect tons of light in both clear and murky water that will bring in more largemouths.
The soft plastic worm adds to the presentation and gives a perfect action while its weight provides a balanced bottom angle that provides a realistic look to your artificial lures.
This technique will work in most situations whether you’re fishing deep or shallow.
However, if you plan to go deep in order to catch bass of larger size you will need to use crankbaits.
Crankbaits are the best bass baits when fishing at depths of more than 20 feet on bright sunny days when bass are coming towards the surface.
Fishing Largemouths According To The Season
Depending on the season you are fishing in, you will have to employ specific techniques and follow certain tips to make the most of your bass fishing session.
Spring
If you happen to go for largemouth bass fishing in spring you will have to keep in mind certain things.
During spring bass tend to move towards shallow waters because shallow waters warm up faster.
Moreover, during spring the water is very murky therefore bass anglers are not able to see the fish themselves.
Therefore it is recommended to use artificial lures that have a striking presentation.
These lures are shiny and make a lot of noise, making it easy for the bass to sense them in murky waters.
Summer
Fishing on a hot summer day requires you to think unconventionally.
Since bass are cold-blooded they are sensitive to temperature changes and underwater pressure.
If you ask around, most anglers will tell you that active bass bites increase during low barometric pressure and mild-moderate temperatures.
So the best time for largemouth bass fishing during summer is in the early morning and late evening.
During these periods the bass rises to the surface, therefore making topwater lures such as spinnerbaits and frogs the best choice to catch more bass.
Fall
The best time for bass fishing is the fall season because the weather is pleasant and most people have left, allowing you to focus on catching bass without any distractions.
If you observe the feeding patterns of bass, they tend to eat a lot during the spring and summer seasons.
Fall is when they start to slow down a bit which means you’ll want to size down your lures and line accordingly.
We will also recommend you tinker with the colors of your lure because the colors are changing in the surroundings and bass sense this.
To fish like a pro you will have to cater to these changes otherwise you will be left disappointed when out for catching bass.
The recommended lures for this season are shallow jerkbaits, swimbaits, and worms.
Additionally, you can use a jerkbait or a swimbait to give a more aggressive presentation that entices them to bite.
Winter
Bass fishing in winter can become an annoyance because bass are less active during winters and sink into the depths.
However, using the right lures and techniques can make your trip a success.
To catch bass in winter, we will strongly discourage the use of swift-moving lures such as crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Even if you are lucky enough to drop one of these right in front of the bass, they will not bite it.
Therefore, you should use slow-moving baits such as jigs, spoons, and blades.
These will reflect a lot of light and move more subtly so you don’t intimidate the bass.
Make sure you work the bait slowly and do not make sudden motions or jerks.
How to Catch Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth fishing is a little different from largemouth bass fishing.
Smallmouths tend to stick in shallow waters in spring, but as summer season approaches they dive back into the depths.
They can be super hard to find during peak summers.
Moreover, smallmouths hunt out in the open and rarely swim in groups.
Even if you are an experienced angler you should be on the lookout for perfecting your technique.
As opposed to their larger siblings, smallmouths love to swim around structures, they do not enter the cover.
You can find them on rocky bottoms with gravel and during the pre-spawn season, they can be found swimming at a depth of 10-15 feet in these areas.
However, as the water temperature rises they tend to move deeper.
Moreover, you will find smallies in moving water, unlike largemouths that prefer still water where they can bite anything that is resting.
Smallmouth bass is commonly caught in various rivers and streams.
Intend on casting in eddies and along rocky shore beds.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing Techniques
The most preferred lures for smallmouths are soft plastics and jerkbaits because they have a quicker presentation.
Topwaters are another great option especially if you’re fishing around heavy cover.
Moreover, you can use scented lures because they work great in all kinds of conditions.
Furthermore, you can also use spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
To catch more smallies you can follow these easy tips.
1) Look for smaller fish that bass prey on.
If you can find baitfish, you can easily find smallies.
Bass tend to hold around prey fish such as crawfish.
2) Finesse fishing works great on smallies because it uses a delicate approach.
When finessing a smallmouth you do not present your bait aggressively, instead, you present the bait as an easy meal to the bass.
It is best used for smallmouths in colder waters where the bass are too lazy to go after fast-moving fish.
You will have to fish with a light tackle on a high gear ratio reel, with a clear fluorocarbon line and soft plastics with neutral colors.
3) Using a wacky rig is another great option for smallies in stagnant water.
This particular presentation is best for lakes and ponds where the water is not moving.
Top Rigs for Bass Fishing
Carolina Rig
The most popular rig option for bass fishing while fishing with soft plastics is the Carolina Rig.
The mainline is attached to the pole and a sinker is placed on the mainline.
Then you put a glass or plastic bead in between while the swivel comes next.
Plastic beads are preferred over glass ones because they are more robust.
Between the sinker and the lure, you have to attach the leader.
Its length is according to the depth of the water.
Once you have hooked your soft plastic bait you can throw your line.
The weighted section of the line drags on the bottom and the lure holds in the water column above creating a natural presentation that tempts the bass to attack.
Drop Shot
If you are someone who wants to go a step further and increase your exploits then you should definitely try the Drop Shot rig.
This particular type of rig is used by professional anglers.
This rigging technique creates a presentation similar to the Carolina rig.
You will have to string your hook while leaving four feet of line at the end.
The length of the line left will vary depending on where you are fishing.
If you’re fishing really shallow water, you can downsize that to one foot if you feel it’s necessary.
You can tie your hook once you have the extra line at the end.
You can attach the drop shot or sinker to the end to create the drop shot rig.
Texas Rig
Texas rig is a great option for bass fishing in areas with heavy cover.
In areas with heavy cover, if you fish with an exposed hook, you will bring in a lot of brushes and weeds to your boat or onto the shore.
Therefore, the Texas rig hides your hook end while providing the same utility as any other option.
To set up a Texas rig you will have to turn the hook towards the worm and push it into the worm, making it protrude from the other side of the worm.
Make sure that the hook is at a 90-degree angle.
The key to this technique is to push the hook until it reaches the eyelet.
This way the hook is protected from exposure to vegetation.
If the hook pops out too much you can push it back into the worm.
It is possible that you might rip apart the worm when trying this for the first time so we will recommend you to use this technique on a worm that is no longer being used.
Wacky Rig
If you want a Wacky Rig, you can use a plastic o-ring and insert it in the middle of the worm.
Insert a size 1 gap hook and loop it through the worm until the eye is barely exposed.
Wacky rigs are the best option for fishing soft plastic baits in open waters.
Best Lures For Bass Fishing
When it comes to choosing the best bass fishing lure there are countless options.
However, the right option for you will depend upon the conditions you are fishing in.
Most people do not have enough space to keep all kinds of lures so they should only choose the ones they truly need.
Here is a list of the best bass fishing lures:
- Soft Plastics
- Spoons
- Swimbaits
- Frogs
- Jigs
- Topwater Poppers
- Rapalas
- Hair Jigs
- Stickbaits
Conclusion
If you are a newbie trying out your luck at bass fishing, we will recommend you to buy a setup that is within your budget and get some experience before moving on to higher-end options.
You can find many bass fishing rods you are going to love for under 200$.
The same goes for reels, hooks, and lines.
However, it is important to keep in mind the type of bass you want to catch while buying your fishing gear.
To make the most out of your fishing trip you should have a deep understanding of bass and their behavior in water.
Plus, you can always tinker with your gear to land more bass.
Otherwise, if you find yourself clueless and unable to catch bass, you can always head here for bass fishing tips and techniques.