Fishing Guides Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing Guides Techniques

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Bass are aggressive feeders and agile enough to chase down and catch most of their favorite foods. They are most easily caught during a feeding spree but can be enticed into striking an anglers bait for reasons other than hunger. They are predatory by nature and at times will strike at anything that enters their world. They are also territorial and at times strike anything that ventures into their domain. If it moves and they can get it into their large mouth, bass will attempt to eat it.

Largemouth Bass Techniques Bass Fishing Guides Use

The largemouth bass has a mouth that opens wide enough to swallow its own head. It will attempt to eat virtually anything it can catch and swallow. Growing to well over 20 pounds, it is much bigger than it's cousin the smallmouth bass. Smaller bass tend to school then become more of a loner, the older they get.

FISHING GUIDES BASS
 

SPRING
Top Baits: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms.
Fish shallow to moderate depths as the bass move into the shallows for warmer water, spawning and food source activity. Try shallow-water flippin on cloudy days or in murky water.

SUMMER
Top Baits: Crankbaits, Jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. "Deep" depends on the overall depth of the lake you are fishing. In some lakes you may need to go as deep as 60 feet while others seldom hold fish below 35 feet.

FALL
Top Baits: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and spoons.
Fish shallow to moderate depths in the mornings and evenings. As the bass move deeper during the day move to outside deep structure and use spoons or jigs.

WINTER
Top Baits: Jigs, pork baits and plastic worms.
Try shallow in the mornings then move deeper as the sun rises. Bass are not very active in cold water, so move your bait in a slow, easy to catch manner and fish deep cover and structure. "Deep" depends on the overall depth of the lake you are fishing. In some lakes you may need to go as deep as 60 feet while others seldom hold fish below 45 feet.

Fishing Hot Spots
Fish concentrate in key areas in the water. Fishermen call these honey holes. Below are some examples of places you may locate while fishing. You could stumble upon your own honey hole.

WEED BEDS
Bass, bluegills, walleye, pike and muskies all love weeds growing in the water. Weed beds provide protection and food. The weeds are also home to minnows, crayfish, frogs, or shrimp that the larger fish feed on. Weeds filter the water from impurities and add oxygen for the fish to breath. Best lures: jig and pig, plastic worm, spinnerbait, and topwaters.

WOOD AND ROCKS
Wood (sunken trees, stumps, dock pilings, etc.) and rocks are found in most fresh water or saltwater fishing holes. Fish lurk around these types of cover for shelter and for ambushing prey. The slimy coating, or algae, that grows on this cover attracts minnows and smaller fish. Best lures: jig and pig, crankbait, spinnerbait, and plastic worm.

RIVER MOUTH
The area where a river or creek flows into a larger body of water can be excellent for fishing. The flowing water carries the food to the waiting fish. For many fish species, the river acts as their spawning grounds (reproduce). The fish will hold in this are in the Spring until the time is right to move upstream. Temperature differences between the river and the large body of water meet in this location, creating a perfect temperature condition for many fish. Best lures: Spoon, crankbait, spinnerbait, and topwaters.

DROP-OFF
Better known as a sudden depth change. These areas provide fish with a simple way to move from deep water to shallow water, or vice versa. This area can be a good place to find pike, muskies, bass and many saltwater fish far from shore. Best lures: spinnerbait, spoon, plastic worm, and jig and pig.

How To Catch Bass Fishing Guides For Bass Techniques

• An inexpensive and rugged reel to start with is the spincast outfit. You can pick up a good one (around $10) at any tackle or discount store, or have your parents purchase one online.
• Practice your casting skills. Use an open area with no trees or power lines. Practice plugs are best suited for practicing. Place a target on the ground about 25 feet in front of you. Extend your arm with the rod pointed at the target, bend your arm back until the rod is at the 1 o'clock position, then snap your arm forward while releasing the button at the same time.
• The best lures. Most fish will bite a lure that looks like a minnow, crayfish (crawdad), or other living prey. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastic worms work best for bass. Trout, pike and saltwater fish will hit shiny metal lures. Use a tackle box or a utility box to hold your lures. Remember the hooks are sharp.
• Normally fish hide around cover. Cover can be anything from weeds, trees, logs, and rocks. Don't be afraid to cast into this good stuff. Most strikes will occur on the drop, when the lure passes by the cover, or bumps into the cover. You may lose a few lures when fishing cover but you'll catch more fish.
• Vary the retrieve speed to make the lure look more realistic.
• When a fish strikes you need to set the hook. The second you feel a tap on the line lower the rod tip, reel up the slack and sharply jerk the rod upward.
• Fishing heavy cover, where the bigger fish normally live, use a plastic worm or a "jig and pig" (leadhead jig with a pork frog trailer). Cast into the thickest area of the cover, let the lure drop, then shake the rod tip gently to coax a bite.
• Topwater lures are the most exciting to fish. These lures float on the surface. When fishing with a topwater, cast near the cover, let it set for several seconds, then twitch the rod tip so the lure works on the surface. When done correctly you will experience a KA-SPLOOSH - the surface explodes as the fish bites your lure.
• When fishing is tough or slow, try using a smaller lure. A 4-inch worm is a good choice. Rig the worm on a 1/0 hook with a BB-size split-shot weight attached to the line about 18 inches above the hook. Cast the lure out and wait for it to settle on the bottom. Work or reel it very slow. The weight will bounce on the bottom, causing the worm to dart in different directions.
• After you master the spincast outfit, try a more precise spinning or baitcaster. Spinning reels are ideal for clear water using 4 to 10 pound test line. The baitcaster is best for big, strong fish. Use line with a 12 to 30 pound test.
  Fishing is more fun when you share it with a friend or parent. Show a beginner how you learned to cast, tie knots, and select lures.

Thanks to Larry Hyatt from Kennewick, Washington for sending us these tips from the http://www.youthbasscluboftexas.bravehost.com/newtips.html website.