4/26/10

Bass Fishing

Bass fishing is considered to be the number one freshwater sport. Bass fishing can be a family experience and is no longer considered a man’s sport anymore. Many female anglers are discovering how fun and exciting bass fishing can be. Whether a beginner or a pro anyone can enjoy bass fishing. A few essential facts and general knowledge is all you need to get started on the chance of catching the bass of a lifetime. Bass fishing is an art and a sport that has been analyzed for hundreds of years. Practiced and mastered by serious anglers.

 

Knowing when and where to fish for bass can vary from state to state. You should contact an area tackle store or bait shop and ask for a fishing laws and opening dates book. Bait shops are a good place to start for finding out where the good bass fishing lakes are in your area. They can also tell you what bait fish are biting on. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is a good idea to fish one lake to start with, get familiar with the lake and where bass are being caught. Observe other fishermen and where they are fishing and what they are catching. Fish alone shallow shorelines and points with weed lines and rock piles in early spring. As the water warms up bass will move into deeper water and around sunken islands. Try the first drop offs with weed cover on them. Early morning and early evening can be the best times for bass fishing.

 

There are many fishing reels and fishing rods available on the market today for bass fishing. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money for a good rod and reel. Most any medium action graphite 6 foot rod and a medium action bait cast reel spooled with 10 or 12 pound test line will be suitable for bass fishing. As a rule the more ball bearings a bait cast reel has the smoother the reel will operate, which will make for longer cast and easier reeling. Some of the better rod and reel manufactures are Shimano, Pflueger, Penn, Quantum, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Shakespeare and Berkley. A good rule of thumb in purchasing a rod and reel is you get what you pay for. Proper care and maintenance of your fishing gear can make a big difference in how well it works and how long it last. Keeping your reels cleaned and oiled will add years to there life. Also keeping rods stored out of the hot sun and moisture will extend there life as well. Keeping those rods and reels off the floor of the boat will prevent stepping on them and breakage.

 

Choosing the right bait for bass fishing can be quite challenging for the bass fisherman. Many fishermen have learned that a simple plastic worm is perhaps the most attractive bait to a bass. The plastic worm is at the top of a list of the top three baits for bass fishing. With the spinner bait and crank bait being second and third on the list. However, picking one of these three is not enough. Some factors are still needed to be considered. You must consider if it is better to cover a smaller amount of water thoroughly or skim across a larger area as quickly as possible to find fish. Using a worm is slower, but absolutely effective and is very seductive to bass. The plastic worm does best when the fish are schooled over a particular structure. One of the problems with plastic worms is the inability to feel strikes. But with practice and consistency it can be mastered. If you want to cover a bigger area of water, you will want to use the spinner bait or crank bait. Do not overlook live bait when it comes to bass fishing. Sometimes a minnow or night crawler below a bobber will work well, or fishing in the lily pads with a live frog just might make your day.

 

Light conditions and water clarity can be a big factor when choosing the right bait. On sunny days and in clear water, use darker colors so the bass can see the bait better. On cloudy days and when the water is not clear use brighter colors. When fishing is tough, choose various baits and colors to lure that big bass out from under that log or weed cover. Weather conditions can play a big factor when fishing for bass. When cold fronts come through, beware. The barometer will drop and mister bass will hold tighter to cover and may even head for deeper water. Getting the bass to bite may be impossible. This can be typical with many varieties of fish. Many people fish by the barometer and rely on it. It may be something you will want to add to your tackle box. If your fishing time is limited, you may want to go fishing anyway, just to enjoy the weather and relaxation.

By Dwight Schewe -
About the Author:

Dwight Schewe enjoys fishing and the great outdoors. He is the owner of harborfishingtackle.com. You can visit his website at http://www.harborfishingtackle.com.

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