The beginner fisherman [or woman] will often ply the more experienced with questions on how to land a fish and why everyone else is on fire, and they are not. Some of us prefer to keep our ignorance of the basics hidden. So, with that in mind, I set about learning a few strategies on how to get a Largemouth Bass out of the water and into my catch bucket.

1. Largemouth Bass like plastic worms. Purchase a variety of colours from clear to bright and in varying shades. If they don’t seem to be biting on one colour then switch for something lighter, and if they’re still not biting, go for a worm darker than your original. Generally, it will depend on the color of the water, time of day and temperature. Look around you too, if other people’s lines have also gone cold, or you’re alone, it’s a good bet that you need to pack up your fishing gear and plan another trip.

2. Look for man-made or natural structures such as jetty pylons, treefall and rock formations. Largemouth Bass also like lots of weed so keep your eye out for a variety of spots and remember where they are.

3. Largemouth Bass like baitfish. Herons like baitfish too. Look out for flocks of birds diving. Quite often where you find one you’ll find the other, but try to catch fish, not birds.

4. Shhhhhhh Largemouth Bass like it quiet. Find an area away from frenzied activity [road or boat traffic, people talking/playing, etc] or fish at dawn before activities begin. Be aware though that some activity can be a bonus as the wake from passing boats can wash out baitfish from their hiding places in the rocks and, therefore, attract the bass right to you.

5. You’ve found quiet waters with some structure, you’ve got the best collection of lures in the country, you’ve varied your times and suited your lures to the water colour and they’re still not biting? Take a look at the depth of the water, and another one at your tackle box. Largemouth Bass like deep water and shallow. Keep a variety of deep-diving lures and surface lures handy as well as all the pretty colors.

6. Largemouth Bass are cool and that’s the way they like their water too. Fish early in the day if possible. If the sun is high, aim for shaded areas.

To catch a Largemouth Bass Light tackle with fast-retrieving lures is usually the best, and remember, once the fish is landed, the best method of preparation for cooking is to ice immediately. Now all you need to do is hunt down some great recipes and remember all your “the one that got away” stories to share with family and friends.

Happy fishing, and don’t forget to take pictures of your soon-to-be prize-winning catches.

Trish is a freelance writer with desktop publishing, promotional material, content sourcing, location and information research, fiction critique and web group management skills tucked firmly into her workbelt. To find out about rates and other services, or to read more of her articles, visit Trish at http://beginningsmiddlesends.blogspot.com/ or send an email to wordcatcher@hotmail.com. She is the spouse of a dedicated fisherman.

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Posted on August 14th, 2008 by admin
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When it gets too hot and too crowded on the water consider bass fishing in more agreeable climes and times; specifically, after dark or in a gentle rain. Lakes and streams often come alive when the sun goes down or hides behind the clouds. The fish are livelier and less likely to be spooked by human traffic. In fact, many anglers who visit dark and/or rainy waters as a change of pace, find that these times can produce some of their most productive and enjoyable bass fishing.
Before going any further though remember that safety is always first and foremost so find a buddy to take with you and as with any bass fishing trip let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back. Never, never fish when there is lightening any place in the sky or if you hear thunder. If lightening begins to strike unexpectedly leave the water immediately. Also, make sure all the running lights on your boat are fully functional.

Now where are you going to go? Night fishing and rain fishing spots are mostly the same spots you visit during hot daylight hours; now they’re just dark and/or wet. Bright moonlight and shallow water are a good combination for night fishing. Many bass fishermen have lots of success at night off of well lit docks. As for lures, jitterbugs are good and the old faithful worm. Rattles and scents also get a lot of hits.

What are some of the benefits to alternative fishing hours other than the obvious cool waters without a huge infestation of anglers? Well for one thing, the dark and, particularly, the splash of light rain make it more difficult for the fish to figure out it’s the prey. Also, rain oxygenates the water, making the whole lake bed more energetic. At night insects and other natural bass prey pop in and out of the water in ways they don’t during the heat of the day. Rain storms also have this effect; in fact, rain can make the water come alive with bugs pushed in by the storm. Needless to say all the food in the water gets a heads up from the bass in the area. If you choose the right lure and are patient and quiet, those hungry bass won’t be able to tell your worm from the real thing.

Perhaps the biggest and most unforeseen advantage of bass fishing at night or in the rain, however, is the change of perspective. Most anglers would agree they were fishermen for life the first time they felt that bass hit their lines. Still, the unexpected pull of a line in the dark still of night, the splash of rain drops on the water’s surface can renew the sense of excitement and wonder that captured many fishers in the first place. So, if you are an angler looking for a different way to land a bass, you might do well to think of the times many others would never venture out for bass fishing.

If you want to catch more bass you need to come over to AllAboutBassFishing.com. We provide many tips, tactics, articles and more to help with your next bass fishing adventure. Whether you fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, peacock bass, or any other type of bass we can help you.

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Posted on August 12th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Fishing | No Comments »