Winner Techniques for Bass Fishing
The bass by far is one of the most popular fish in America. It is a predator and will eat almost anything it can get its mouth around. They feed on other fish, crustaceans, worms, and other aquatic life. Most small fish are a bass' prey. This makes them tough, challenging and a lot of fun to catch. Bass can be found in most ponds, lakes and streams in North America. There are many species of bass with the largemouth bass being the most prolific and sought after.
Walk into a tackle store and look at the selection of lures available. The majority are bass lures. Most of the TV fishing shows are dedicated to bass fishing. Most fishing tournaments are for bass - largemouth bass. I will give you some of my time tested tips to catch this sought after fish.
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Let's start with springtime bass fishing. One of my most successful lures is the jig and pig. I use a weedless crawfish colored jig with living rubber skirts. I will then add a crawdad colored number 11 pork rind. This combo has brought in many a bass in the spring. I position the boat 20 -30 feet off shore and cast into the shore working the lure slowly in. When I feel a "tap-tap" I set the hook. I took my largest bass on this lure. Most of the bass are on beds or in shallow water and this little lure looks like large crawdad when worked along the bottom.
Later in the spring or early summer I like to use spinner baits. I go with a chartreuse colored spinner with a living rubber skirt (looks like a bunch of colored rubber bands). I will skirt this lure around trees, weeds, lily pads, down drop offs, on the surface or most any other area. I use single bladed models and have found them the easiest to use. Bass hit this lure with a vengeance. Most hit with all their power. Very rarely do I just get a tap.
Late summer and fall I will use crank baits. When the temperature is hot the bass are really active and the bass can also be deeper. The crank bait will dive down to where they are hiding. The action will get them excited and they will strike the lure when it gets within range. I like natural colors in my crank baits. Sunfish colors are my favorite.
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When I am out to get a lot of fish only one rig will do it for me. This rig has put more bass in the boat for me over any other. The sliding rig baited with a large night crawler. It has caught me many bass (and other species as well) and I can always come home with one using this rig. A small number 6 or 8 aberdeen style hook, light test line, o-ring and a sliding sinker is all that is needed. Slip your line through the sinker and tie it to the o-ring. Tie 16" of leader line (6- 8 pound test) to the o-ring and then to your hook. You are now ready to fish. Hook a night crawler to the rig once through the nose. This presents the worm as naturally as possible. Keep scents off your hands and discard chewed, dead or damaged worms. You want the best that you can get.
This rig fishes the bottom. Pick areas just like you would for lures. Use common sense when it comes to avoiding snags or other underwater hang-ups. You can even cast troll this rig slowly if you are using a walking style sliding sinker. I will cast out and let my boat drift slowly moving the bait across the bottom. This will cover more area and give you a greater chance. Hold the rod in your hand and set the hook when you feel a tap. A bass can take in the bait in one gulp. Remember to throw away worms that have been bitten by a sunfish. Big bass usually won't hit them in this condition.
Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in Canada