When taking up the sport of fishing or hunting, the first thing you need to do is learn about the animal that is going to be your prey. Study and learn their behaviors, both in books and in real life. Springtime could mean something completely different to your pond from the pond on the other side of the state.
Learn your waterways and what your fish like and don’t like, their habits are key to what will work best at catching them. Minimize how much you focus on the whole lake or pond and start with small areas of the edges or banks. In the springtime, the fish are going to these areas to spawn and this is where they will be spending most of their days.
In the fall and winter months, the fish don’t really move a lot and are not great to catch, however, in the summer and spring they are moving. This activity makes it easier to catch at these times.
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Bass Fishing Tips
So you want to get into bass fishing, super! Bass fishing can be a great sport and very rewarding. There, of course, is some things you’ll need to get started and we have some tips on things that will help beginners.
Fishing rod
First, you will need a fishing rod, reel, and some bait. When it comes to bass fishing, bigger poles is not always better, especially in the beginning. You want to feel the movement of the fish, and a bigger pole can cover such movement. Get a lighter pole and use a 6-8 lb weight line, to be able to really feel when you have something. The reel should be lightweight as well.
Baits
Some basic baits are crank baits, faux worms, and spinner baits. You will need shallow and deep divers, maybe a couple in a couple of different colors. Although, bass are really not prone to one color over another.
Get some plastic worms and spinnerbaits. The spinnerbaits should be both neutral and bright colors to get you some various options to choose from. A lot of this is going to be trial and error on your part. It will depend on your confidence level as well. So, don’t try to make this too complicated and overanalyze things.
Start in Small waters
When you are looking for a place to fish, we recommend going to smaller waters and ponds at first. The fish are smaller, but it gives you a chance to get to know how bass fight and typically it is easier to find the fish in smaller ponds and lakes.
Where do you find the Bass? Well, isn’t this an age-old question? Most fishermen will not give out their favorite fishing spots. However, you can find your own! Bass like to play hide and seek. They are smaller fish that birds and other larger fish like to feed on. So, naturally, they are not going to swim out in the open without some sort of cover. This cover could be plants, a fallen tree, or even docks. They hide in the rocks, which is a shame for your lures. If you cannot find any of these kinds of spots, just try where you are. There is a bit of mystery to fishing, that’s why we love it so much.
Play with your lures. No, we don’t mean dress them up in lure clothing and such. But, try the lure with different casting techniques and speeds. This will help you better understand what types of lures and throw combinations work best for you. Remember, not every fisherman has the same thing that works and that is okay as well.
Bass will eat just about anything. That’s why so many different lure types of work. They are not picky about what their next meal is but the faux worms usually take them longer to bite for whatever reason. We believe that the other types of lures annoy them and so they snap at them faster. But, again, this is just a theory.
Baiting and Lures
To determine what are good bass fishing lures you will need to figure out what the water is like that you’re fishing. Is the bottom rocky with little grass? Then you want a crankbait, which comes in two variations, lots of wiggle and little wiggle. When it’s cold out you want the less wiggle, as the fish are cold-blooded and not going to be up for huge fights. However, when it is warm out they will like more wobble to get them excited. When they are cold if something comes near them and it will take little effort to catch, then they will certainly try it.
For the more open body of water, there are spinnerbaits. These baits are more for open water and spin fast or slow. Just as the crankbait’s work, the spinnerbaits are slow when it’s cold and fast when it’s warmer.
And, a topwater bait sometimes is an option, with the bait looking like a frog or bug. These are best used in the shallow waters that have vegetation on top.
Rod Choices
The rod can be one of the more expensive pieces of Bass Fishing. But, you will have it a lifetime, so choose wisely. Get something that fits your hand well and is comfortable to hold. Ensure that the line is big enough for the kinds of fish you’ll be catching, but not too big that it’s really bulky. There are different types of real choices and options to choose from. And, if in doubt go to the store and ask a lot of questions. People in the fishing stores are always super helpful, even other customers, remember this is a hobby that they are passionate about.
And, get a buddy to let you tag along. Having someone that can mentor you will be the best thing when trying to learn Bass fishing for the beginner. Watch videos online and tutorials if you don’t have a buddy, as this isn’t the end of the world. You might even ask someone at the fishing store or if the fishing store is small and local, ask the people that work there if they have a guide to recommend.
