Basic Bass Fishing Secrets

Some of the best bass fishing secrets are not so secret, but often over looked and even forgotten. Sometimes when experienced fisherman are trying to help less experienced and beginner bass fisherman, we over look telling them about these so called “Bass Fishing Secrets”. Not that we mean to, we are certainly not trying to hide them. But they’ve become so second nature and basic to us that we forget that a beginner won’t know. Some things to us go without saying, but not saying them to a beginning bass fisherman can mean the difference in them learning and enjoying productive bass fishing as they grow as anglers, and them giving up because nobody told them some of the basic bass fishing tips.

So I’m going to try and give them to the beginners, and it never hurts for those with lots of bass fishing experience to refresh before we take a newbie out on the lake or pond.

#1) Get a line in the water as often as you can! Spring, summer, fall, and winter! Let no time not be bass time. While it’s true that the spring offers up a lot more opportunities for fat bellied monster bass, it is also true that some good fishing can take place at other times of the year in less than perfect conditions. The trick is in learning what works to catch big bass at those not so perfect conditions.

Learning where the fish are when the water is extremely cold or hot. Learn how the bass react in these conditions and what the react to. And being that different things work in different bodies of water, the best secret is to get out on the body of water you’ll fish the most and fish it. Trying different lure and techniques till you learn what works on the big bass. Then continue to fish it until you learn more. Bas fishing is an on-going learning curve. No one bass angler ever knows it all. And the successful ones are always looking to learn, and always now they are always learning. That’s why they are always bass fishing.

#2) This might seem silly and it is an annoyance, but keep your bass fishing gear in good shape at all times. By gear I mean everything from the rod and reels to the fishing line, to the lures and hooks. Keep your rod and reel cleaned and stored properly when not fishing. Especially if it’s long periods between bass fishing. Take the time to clean and maintain your rod and reel as per manufactures instructions. They can last you a life time and possibly even give your children years of joy if they are properly taken care of.

Also, maintain your fishing line. Personally I like to change the line on my bass fishing reels at least once a year. More if the fishing line has been getting a lot of work and sun. As you’re fishing run the first few feet of line between your lips from time to time if you feel weak spot, frays, or anything questionable, cut above that area and retie. You certainly don’t want to lose a big bass due to a weak spot in the fishing line that could have been prevented. Also make sure the drag of your reel is set properly for the current fishing conditions. Use premium fishing hooks and keep them sharp.

#3) Stay away from busy places. If there are a lot of bass anglers in an area, don’t get happy and think that’s a hot spot. Most likely somebody saw somebody else catch one nice fish and the next thing you know that spot is covered in wannabe expert anglers. The thing is all this activity will make big bass shut down. Few things will make them shut down quicker or with more determination not to get caught. They won’t bite anything you throw at them, so it’s best you go find a nice quite place of your own where nobody is and try fishing that area.

#4) Cast into the wind if using topwater lures or shallow running lures, then retrieve in the direction of the wind. A big bass knows few things naturally fight the wind when on or near the surface of the water. Retrieving your top water bass lure in the direction the wind is blowing will best mimic the natural forage of a big bass, therefore is more likely to get a strike from a big bass.

#5) Think outside of the bass fishing box. Don’t be afraid to try different things. Often bass anglers try so hard to follow what they have read, seen or been told, they forget that bas fishing is far from a perfect science. While there are basic so called rules, they are not set in stone and no one will send you to the principle’s office for breaking them. Some anglers may laugh at what you’re using or doing. But their laugh will disappear if you start hauling in big bass after having the ingenuity and courage to do something different.

If strikes are non-existent on bass lures, tie on a musky lure, or a big saltwater lure. Try one of those oddball bass lures that we all buy and toss into the depths of our tackle boxes because they didn’t work the first few times we tried them. Try different retrieves and presentations. Let the other anglers get their jollies laughing. You’ll get the final laugh if you hook a monster bass!

#6) Don’t rule out live bait! Just because you see the pros fishing nothing but artificial lures is no reason to eliminate live bait from your bass fishing arsenal. I know the thought of sitting there watching a bobber can be unappealing and boring. But minnows and other live baits can be very effective on big bass, especially in heavily fished waters. However, you do need to check with your state and local wild life regulation as to any restriction on the use of live bait before you try it.

Most importantly, refer to #1. Fish, fish, fish, every chance you get. Nothing will improve your fishing skills more than getting out to the water and bass fishing your heart out. All the bass fishing books, angler’s tips, and monster bass how to DVD’s in the world will never replace actual on water experience.