Once you’re into fishing one of the first obsessions you get is to fish for Bass. How to fish for Bass? What gear you need to fish for Bass? When is the best time to fish for Bass? We will be covering all these questions and more in our in depth Bass fishing guide for beginners.
Bass Fishing Guide for Beginners:
Bass fishing gear
Most beginners are overwhelmed with the idea of fishing for Bass and they are not quite sure what equipment to buy to get started. Have no worries below we will cover all the basic gear you need to start.
Fishing Rod and Reel Setup for Bass fishing
The typical rod to start Bass fishing with is a medium heavy 7″ all around rod. It is a good overall length that will allow you to do a little bit of everything. And the fact it is medium heavy is going to allow you to fish for everything, you can fish lighter baits but with enough backbone to be able to fish for something big and stubborn.
The Reel we recommend in this Bass fishing setup is a 2500 or a 3000 size reel. This size is a comfortable size to start learning how to fish for bass, but it is also going to be fit with the correct line you are going to use.
The best overall line we think you can throw in a spinning rod Bass fishing setup is braid. A 15 to 20 pound braid is going to be ideal. Braid lines don’t have stretch, that way you get maximum sensitivity. Also, these lines don’t coil. So, if you are new to fishing you are not going to run into any issues. And, when it comes to a 15 to 20 pound braid is not too thick and you don’t have to worry about fish seeing it in the water.
There are a few things when it comes to braided lines, it is usually better to use backing. First, because of how slick and thin braided lines are, if you directly put your line into the spool without backing the whole thing is going to spin freely on its own with nothing to grab into. This can be a big issue if you are fighting a fish and all of a sudden your line starts to go out, even if you tighten your drag all the way down your line will still be coming out. That is because your entire spool of line is free spinning instead of being securely attached to your spool. The second reason is, even if you buy braid ready reels which come with rubber bands around the spool, those bands aren’t going to last through the elements and will eventually fall off.
Tackle and lures
We recommend to do prior research on what the Bass you are trying to fish actually eat in that particular spot. Knowing exactly what your predator lives on can help you a lot with your success rate. It is better to throw something you know they are most likely to swallow is better than throwing some random bait and hoping they will catch it. Some people would have some success with a certain lure and they will keep throwing it everywhere thinking it worked once it must work again. And they end up spending hours with no catch just because they didn’t know what the fish were eating in that particular pond or lake.
Also, knowing what lures to use depends on a lot of factors such is water clarity, weather and even what time of the year is it. So if you had some success with a certain bait in a certain situation and spot doesn’t make it the best lure for everything and everywhere.
That being said we will mention the must have lures in your tackle box that will work all year round in most scenarios.
The Jig
The Jig is probably considered the king of Bass fishing lures. The best thing about it is that you can do pretty much anything with them. They work all year round in different types of water and different weather conditions. You can throw them on anything, and you don’t have to be a boss of an angler to do so. Jigs mimic different bass bait profiles like crawfish, perch and panfish.
There are different types of jigs: Finesse Jig, Swim Jig, Football Jig, Flipping Jig, Punch Jig.
The Crankbait
The same thing about the Jig can be said about crankbaits: they work. They Crankbaits are designed to imitate the shape and action profile of a baitfish. This type of lure is known for covering so much water in a short amount of time.
There many factors to consider when choosing your crankbait. The most important one is how deep you want to reach with your bait. Some crankbaits can dive to barely below the surface to up to 30 or 35 feet deep.
This lure is best used in shallow waters with weeds and other obstacles.
This is the most popular crank size among anglers. It is very effective in waters deeper that 10 feet.
This type of bait can dive as deep as 35 feet. It is more advanced that the previous models.
The Jerkbait
Although some people might be surprised, but the jerkbait is one of the best lures for Bass fishing. It could be used all year long. It is often considered best for cold water temperatures, usually early Spring. But that is a huge misconception, jerkbaits work all year long. It works great even in the Summer time when it is 95 degrees and blazing hot.
There are two types of Jerkbaits Soft Jerkbaits and Hard Jerkbaits.
Hard Jerkbaits
Hard jerkbaits are usually made of plastic or polymers. Due to that, they are very durable and can be cast a long way out. They often come with two or three hooks attached to them. Hard Jerkbaits can be divided into three categories: Floating, Suspending, and Sinking.
Floating Hard Jerkbaits mostly remain on the surface of the water until you catch a bite. They make a good choice for beginners.
Suspending Hard Jerkbaits are the most popular among anglers. That’s because they just sit mid water not too deep and not too shallow. That way they mimic the natural activity of a real baitfish making them a great lure for a Bass fish to swallow.
Sinking Hard Jerkbaits are usually used to target deeper waters by letting the bait sink in depth while moving them higher or lower to catch a bite.
Soft Jerkbaits
Soft Jerkbaits are made of soft plastic with a chewy feel. Which mimics the actual feel of a live bait giving them a more natural appearance. Bass fish are very appealed by Soft Jerkbaits which makes them a great choice for Bass fishing lures.
The Craw worm
Craw worms make an excellent choice for fishing Bass. They work practically in every season, because no matter where they are Bass fish feed on craws all year long except for the coldest months in Winter time. Craws have a slim profile which makes it easier to fish them through weeds and rocks and other obstacles.
The Spinnerbait
The Spinnerbaits are so versatile and the greatest thing about them is that you can fish them in any part of the water column. You can fish them around anything rocks, weeds and wood without worrying about them getting stuck. Again as we mentioned above it works great all year round and it is a must have lure in your tackle box.
Shop for Spinnerbaits here.
The Finesse Worm
Finesse worms are the best choice to fish for Bass when the bite is real tough and the Bass don’t feel like biting specially in the colder months. It is a must have in your tackle box. They are so versatile and there are so many ways you can fish them.
The Lipless Crankbait
The lipless crankbaits make an excellent choice of lure when fishing for Bass. They have a flat design which makes them sink and can be fished anywhere and at any depth. They also have a wobbly action which works great to entice Bass fish to go for a bite. You can fish them all year round and you are guaranteed to catch a lot of fish with.
Bass fishing seasons
In order to master the art of Bass fishing, you need to understand Bass behavior during the different seasons. That way you will know exactly where and when to fish them as well as the ideal bait setup to use.
Bass Fishing in Fall
During the Fall season, Bass will abandon their deeper water sanctuaries and move into shallower waters. This movement is heavily affected by their feeding habits. They will move where their bait fish move so they can feed. Most bait schools like shad for example, roam the slightly deeper parts of the water column the majority of day. Then, they will most likely be in shoreline cover in the evening. So naturally, Bass will take advantage of these movements and they will be waiting for bait to feed. The most common areas where Bass are lurking by during the day are: shallow humps, large flats and of course the main lake. Later, when the temperatures drop, shad will push back to tributary arms which leads Bass the imitate the same movement to keep feeding. During the evening, the best places to fish for Bass are covered areas in the nearby coves such as: docks, grass lines and timber.
Bass Fishing in Winter
The winter season is considered the most inactive season for Bass fishing. But unlike some people think, Bass don’t hibernate. Because the cold weather affects their activity. Which means, they move less and require less amounts of food. The cold weather temperatures drive Bass to deeper parts of the water column mostly to main lake areas. Those deeper areas of the water are less cold than shallower parts of the lake. The most common areas to fish for Bass during the cold winter months are: rock ledges, main lake humps, Submerged roadbeds, deep water standing timber and creek channel dropoffs.
Bass Fishing in Spring
The Spring time marks the beginning of the most diverse and active seasons for Bass. During this time, Bass fish start abandoning their Winter sanctuaries and head towards their desired spawning locations.
The best time to fish for bass in the spring can vary depending on the location and weather conditions, but generally speaking, early morning and late afternoon are good times to catch them.
During the spring, bass often move to shallow waters to spawn, and they are more active and hungry during the early morning and late afternoon periods when the water is warmer. It’s also a good idea to look for areas with cover, such as rocks, weeds, or fallen trees, as these provide hiding spots and ambush points for bass.
Additionally, pay attention to weather patterns and water temperatures. A warm, sunny day can make the bass more active and eager to feed, while a cold front or sudden drop in temperature may make them less active and more difficult to catch. So, it’s essential to keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust your fishing techniques accordingly.
Bass Fishing in Summer
The best time to fish for bass in the summer can vary depending on the location and weather conditions, but generally speaking, early morning and late afternoon are good times to catch them.
During the summer months, bass often move to deeper water to escape the heat and seek cooler temperatures. As a result, they may be less active during the midday when the sun is high and the water is warmer. Early morning and late afternoon periods are good times to catch bass because the water is cooler, and the bass may be more active and feeding.
Bass will mostly be lurking in shady areas such as under trees, overhanging bushes or docks as they provide cooler water and shelter for the fish. Also, Bass like to hide and ambush their prey near structure such as rocks, weed beds, or submerged logs. Fishing near these areas can increase your chances of catching bass in the summer.
Bass fishing is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. With patience and persistence, you can improve your chanes of catching these exciting game fish. Remember, bass can be found in a variety of locations, and their behavior can change depending on weather conditions and other factors. It’s always a good idea to do some research or talk to local experts to find the best places to fish for bass in your area.
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