There are three types of people who research how to catch bass fish: those who have never caught one and want to learn, those who catch a fish occasionally, but are not good enough due to size or catch frequency, and those who are already in the field. Major leagues wanting to see if there’s a new trick they haven’t thought of.
This article covers some techniques that have worked for more experienced anglers and we hope it will have a positive impact on your search. Below is a compilation of these with a bit of elaboration.
How to Catch Bass Fish
Skip-Baiting
It is an ancient fishing technique in which the bait is thrown with the intention that it does not penetrate the surface of the water, but shakes on the surface of the water, which allows it to be placed under obstacles where the bass will love to hide.
It is important to show your lure where the fish are. Always seek refuge in the environment in which you are fishing. This could be boat docks, vegetation, water lilies, rocks, among others. Bass fish are predators and like to hide so they can ambush their prey.
Duplicate the Current Environment
One way to do this is by looking in the water to see if the sea bass you already caught vomited or spit on what it was previously feeding (which is common). This will give you an idea of the type and color of lure to throw into the water to make it look as natural as possible.
Bass keeps changing their diet throughout the year according to the seasons; They will prefer the crayfish at the beginning of the year and the tarpon in summer, for example. An effective lure will be the bait most identical to your current diet.
Fish Looking Where the Wind Is Coming From
This is also usually the direction of the current, and the bass swims with the current. Facing the current has two advantages: the fish will find their bait before they find their boat and they get scared, the sound of the water hitting their boat will also carry away, keeping the unsuspecting fish clueless as they approach the boat.
Fish Shallow During Spawning Season
Spawning requires oxygen; therefore, most spawning beds are usually hidden near the surface of the water. Adult seabass tend to stay close to the surface, protecting their eggs before they hatch. They will bite due to a combination of hunger and irritation. The spawning season is usually in the spring.
Take Advantage of the Weather
Bass fish is very intuitive of weather patterns and often respond in anticipation. For example, the pressure of an impending storm sends them into a frenzy, making them more active and susceptible to biting as they feel the urge to feed.
The best time to catch them is a little before the storm or on cloudy days. Surface plugs, quack baits, spinning baits, and other mobile lures are ideal for this time.
They are less likely to sting after the storm has passed. During these quiet days and other sunny days, they will remain undercover, waiting for their prey. Water bottom baits like jigs and rigged plastics are best for these conditions as they can be cast to the base of the deck.
Be Persistent
Keep presenting the bait at different angles if you are sure the spot is correct. Sometimes the bass instinctively plays it safe by staying undercover. And it will take a couple of tries before they bite.
Versatility
As much as you’ve done your research before setting out on your fishing trip, certain situations can arise while you’re on the water. You must be able to adjust your methods to suit the prevailing situation.
You may find that the bass you are tracking is feeding on a type of fish whose characteristics are not even close to the lure you are using, and you need to change it. Always pack a variety of gear so you can adapt at the moment and don’t end up wasting an entire day.
It is good to have lures of different colors, shapes, and sizes to change quickly if you find that it is the reason why the fish do not bite. Find creative ways to organize your tackle box to fit everything you need.
Fishing in areas with dense vegetation may force you to opt for shorter, stronger rods with a thick line to allow the bass to quickly get out of vegetation and undergrowth.
Punching Through the Cover
Bass fish will hide under any form of structure you can imagine. Most of the time, you cannot see them even though you know there are fish where you are fishing from. Grass or aquatic vegetation can provide the perfect canopy and prevent lures from breaking.
Bass fish have mastered the art of hiding, and they find these habitats ideal. This is where drilling is necessary.
It involves the use of a heavy line lead, which can poke a hole through vegetation for the bait to penetrate to where the bass fish are. The weight of the lead will depend on the thickness of the vegetation.
Getting the Bass to Bite
Different situations require different approaches if you want the bass to bite. The retrieval technique you choose will determine the ideal rod and reel to use on your equipment, as different tools adapt to different movements.
If the sea bass appears to be close to the surface swimming around structures or chasing baitfish. It is an indicator that they are feeding aggressively, which should be your signal to introduce larger baits or lures and retrieve them faster.
If they are calmer near the bottom and kept out of sight, a smaller bait presented at a slow pace will be ideal to get their attention.
Using Sharp hooks
Bass fish have hard, bony jaws that are not easily penetrable and require the sharpest tools.
Save the Shredded Worms
Bass will see you as vulnerable and injured prey and is more likely to pounce on them. If you consider the predator-prey relationship of all living things, your instincts are to attack the weak, which is a more guaranteed meal.
Use a Bit of Red
Use red head bait or red hooks. The bass will think the bait is injured and helpless and will pounce on it.
Use a Fish Finder
This tool will help you identify exactly where the fish are from the comfort of your boat. As much as you may not say precisely whether they are bass, a little knowledge of the fish patterns will help in the deduction. Large schools of fish are more than likely bait of some kind, with the predator following the prey.
You can also see underwater structures like logs, trees, and weeds, which are common hiding places for bass fish. Some fish finders allow you to map lucrative spots so you can come back later if you can’t achieve your goal for one reason or another. It’s so much easier to track bass using these tech-laden fish finders.
How to Catch Bass Fish: Effective Use of Lures
Bass Jigs
These are all rounded and can be used for any fishing technique including flipping, casting, jumping, swimming, or working deep structures. They can enter areas where other lures won’t fit and are always paired with a trailer. They always want to bite into big sea bass.
Plastic Worms
These are designed to look like real worms, which are a bass delicacy. They feel like a natural food for bass fish, making them hold onto the bait longer than they would otherwise once they bite. They can enter heavily weedy areas because they compact when the hook is buried in the worm’s body. So the tip is only exposed when the hook is placed.
Spinner Baits
They have a rotating blade (or blades) that hangs from a bent wire and draws attention to flickering reflections and vibrations in the water that covers a great distance.
Crank Baits
Crankbaits can be used to target fish in deep or open water, covering a large area quickly. They mostly resemble fish and come in various colors, sizes, shapes, weights, and depth tolerances.
Top Water Lures
Topwater lures are designed to attract bass to the surface of the water. The fish will jump out of the water to catch them, as they appear to be prey in danger. They make splashing sounds while floating in the water and are often brightly colored to attract attention.
There are so many tricks, techniques, and tools that make the bass fishing business easier that we couldn’t pretend to cover them all. While this is not a complete guide to catching wolves. It does capture some very simple concepts that we felt greatly improved our strategy.
If you follow this content properly, I hope you will gain a better experience with how to catch bass fish.
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