Bass Fishing 101: Tools of the Trade Part 3
Bass Fishing 101: Tools of the Trade Part 3 understanding what bass actually eat, where and when, will help you with choosing and presenting the most effective, appropriate and tempting bait (whether live or artificial). Drawing on the natural diet of the fish, can assist you in improving your baits and lures appearance, strategy, tactics and eventual success. Bass, as a predator will be looking for certain shapes, colors and familiar movement.
Plastic worms and crawfish are popular choices. Part of the reason bass is such a popular species to be fishing for, is they are notorious for hitting hard, biting solid and strong pulling or fighting – a strong game fish to be sure.
They are known to put up a good fight.
Spinners or spoons are artificial baits that are specifically designed for the purpose of tantalizing the fish. It is meant to provoke, make a strike irresistible, calling on the fish natural instinct to feed and or defend. It optimizes your chances of securing strikes. Rotation, color, skirts, fluttering action (Lil ’hustler spoiler is a favorite of many bass anglers) all work
together to simulate movement and prey on the move.
Spoons act/move in a fishlike manner in the water, trolled behind
boats they are typically very effective and can also be cast and retrieved. Plugs are made of various materials, designed specifically to float, dive below the surface or sink when reeling them back or in. They simulate surface disturbance and entice fish with propellers or plastic skirts that move and flutter in the water.
Artificial lures can be utilized alone or in combination with live or
natural baits. The size and type of lure will depend on the species, location and style of fishing you prefer, choose to pursue. (For example, trolling, spinning, fly-fishing).
For bass fishing particularly, a couple of suggestions are to bear in mind that enticing the predators from below takes skill, practice, and patience. For matted weed-beds and sloppy pitches, you might have to tickle the surface a bit.
When fishing in shallow waters, lures cast out fast and retrieved slowly shaking it along, might trigger a response. It is all in the tease and promise to the fish that look for signs of movement in the water. Having a handy pair of Polaroid sunglasses are a MUST!
Keep on moving the bait around and play with the presentation – it is an art, acquired skill that gets better over time. When casting the bait out, try not to
spook the fish, remembering that they are sensitive to sound/noise, movement and vibrations.
Plastic worms work well (around 10”). Being adaptable, switching baits, different color etc., using a strong Texas rig for example, hooking up a worm
near the bottom of the hook, sliding it onto the shank, popping it through, with a ½ ounce weight might be all you need!
Having a second rod set up and ready to go or fishing with a buddy that can help you to respond quickly (as the fish are always on the move) and when they are ready to hit, you are prepared for them!
Others suggest using braided line that is stronger than mono (for when fishing in weedy areas), with no stretch that can minimize entanglement and optimize your chances of retrieval through think weeds and cover.
Stiff rods that can withstand the “fight” bass can typically put up are another base-requirement for bass fishing enthusiasts. Protecting your rods with rod wraps, to avoid dings and scrapes can also maximize not only its efficiency but keep your angling investment in good condition! Shaking and popping along bait/lures, create a situation that lets the fish think the “prey” is getting away.
However, the right equipment, bait, hooks and location is not enough! Some basic angling techniques are required, setting up your rod and reel, knowing the basics about tying knots for joining line to tackle, forming loops and more.
Tying a secure knot is the main thing here, as everyone could pose a ‘weakness’, which you do not need, when you have the BIG ONE hooked! Some suggest before tightening a knot, wet it with some water and trim all edges and loose ends, to avoid snag/drag.
Gulp-sinking minnows cast out fast and far, allowing to let it fall and dangle, quiver down, with lots of slack, might prove just what the fish ordered!
Tube-jigs, gulp-tubes that are scented, are other options. The soft, natural-chewy substance tricks the fish into not wanting to let go and have another chew, thus increasing your odds of landing it safely.
Top-water baits with rattles are another all-time favorite, with slack in the line, walking-the-dog (flipping) makes for an enticing presentation for the fish.
Having a spinner-bait with some red in it, simulates blood or wounded prey to our underwater predator, triggering yet again their natural instincts and feeding response, increasing your odds of getting a bite, hit or strike.
Whether you find yourself in a jet-boat or flat-bottom bass boat, shore, rocks, beach, cliff, stream, river, stream, lake, reservoir, or other body of water, strong rods, hot hands, good tackle, appropriate preparation, the right bait and presentation, accurate casting, where you know the fish might be/move/feed naturally, fishing for structure and pattern, keeping an eye on surroundings and conditions, can all make those fleeting moments of
anticipation and elation at first strike momentous!
The fights, flights, flips, turns and jumps, attacks and hard hits, struggles, retrieval and landing of bass, is what keeps us coming back!
Let us now turn to take a look at what other considerations, plan of attack, angling techniques, secrets, mistakes and specialty circumstances, can teach us about the enjoyable art and activity, that is bass fishing!
See Next: Water, Weather, Timing and Other Environmental Aspect, Facets and Considerations for Bass Fishing
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