Bass can be reliably caught in water containing no visible or apparent structure but it is important to remember that all water will contain some structure that will hold fish. You need to locate these features and you’ll enjoy great bass fishing success.
How do you tell if there is bass in a lake?
Look for weed beds, docks, and bridges. Bass will hang out just outside the entrances to shallow coves if there’s a quick drop-off. Also look for any submerged trees, logs, rocks, etc. Once the water starts cooling in the fall, bass will aggressively chase down schools of baitfish.
What is the best depth to catch bass?
To start, an angler’s best bet is to look around 10 feet in depth for the giant bass, but this can vary. Generally, the shallow fish are the smaller males, and the fish at the deepest parts are too lethargic to chase, so the perfect targets are the fish at about 8-12 for depths.
What is the best bait for bass in a lake?
Shad, minnows, or shiners are some of the best live baits for bass, hands down. Baitfish come in different sizes and can be used in all types of bass waters, but they are incredibly productive in deeper water to target huge bass.
What time of day are bass most active?
Without question, the best time of day to fish for bass is at night. Bass are known to feed more heavily at night than during any other time of day. Not only is night the best time to fish for bass due to bass being more active, there are often fewer anglers and less commotion on the waterways during the evening hours.
How deep do bass go in lakes?
While productive depths during the early summer are dependent on the lake, I like 6 to 12 feet of water. During the height of summer, bass may move as deep as 15 or 20 feet, especially in clear water. Fishing crankbaits along weed edges is a proven summertime tactic for big largemouths.
Where do bass live in a lake?
Bass spend most of their time in lakes and rivers with plentiful fresh water. They tend to congregate in mossy, sheltered areas to prey on smaller fish, such as minnows.
What month is best for bass fishing?
April is the best month to fish for bass. Depending on your region, bass may just be starting to come out from their winter depths or already well into spawn. But it really doesn’t matter. They’re still hungry.
How do you find big bass in a lake?
Try a variety of these places, and you’ll hook up sooner and more consistently than by just randomly wandering about.
- CURRENT BREAKS. Bass lurk around objects that block the water current.
- LAYDOWNS. As waves wash away the shore over the years, trees topple into lakes and rivers.
- RIPRAP.
- DOCKS.
- AQUATIC VEGETATION.
- POINTS.
Do bigger lures catch bigger fish?
Sure big fish can eat bigger bait than smaller fish can. But that doesn’t mean that is necessarily their habit to do so. Maybe really the only benefit in using bigger lures is that the hooks are stouter so you can horse a big fish more and not bend or straighten a hook.
What color lures do bass like?
The cellular composition of the largemouth bass’ eye is tuned to respond to two colors: red and green. Bass can see these colors well, and make decisions with high selectivity based on these colors.
Do you use a bobber for bass?
Whatever you call them bobber fishing has evolved into a sophisticated tool for catching bass when used in the right conditions. Why Fish With Floats? They control the depth of the bait and serve to tell you when you’re getting a bite. They give you control when fishing around grass, sunken brush and other cover types.
Do bass remember being caught?
We’ve found through our studies that fish do have a memory. “For example, if a bass is caught on a spinnerbait one day, it’s almost impossible to catch that fish on the same lure the next day.
How do you catch bass in the middle of the day?
For the most part, the best way to catch bass during the middle of the day is by using a more finessed approach. Instead of casting aggressive moving baits, I recommend identifying key cover like logs and rocks and dropping soft plastic baits and jigs alongside it tight. Jig and drag these baits along very slowly.
Do bass like shallow or deep water?
They stay shallow — typically less than 8 feet — until hot summer days push water temperatures into the high 80s. That’s when they start to move out to deeper, cooler water where they stay until the shallower water starts to cool again in the fall. Food is what really dominates the lives of bass.
How cold is too cold for bass fishing?
You’d be amazed at how aggressive the bite can be in these cold temperatures. While the surface temp may be 33 degrees, the water is warmer where the bass winter in deeper water.
What temperature are bass most active?
While bass will bite readily in water temperatures between 61-84° F, the ideal water temperature range to catch bass consistently in is between 74-79° F when bass are most aggressively feeding and daytime highs do not force bass into shaded or deep structure. Bass will be in deep main-lake holes.
Where do largemouth bass hang out?
They are caught around different types of structure, such as vegetation, docks, fallen trees, etc. During other periods, larger bass tend to hang out in deeper water. In colder water, bass are more lethargic and are usually caught using a slower retrieve.
How do you consistently find bass?
Docks are one of the most consistent and reliable areas that hold fish year-round and can be a fast way to identify where bass live on lakes. They provide an obvious source of shade and cover that attracts baitfish and bass and are a perfect spot to start when fishing a new lake.
How do you fish for bass in a lake?
Bass like to ambush wounded prey, so a beat-up worm is perfect to use, especially in shallow water. In shallow cover—wood, stumps, clumps of grass—I like to use a spinner bait with a red or pink head, and a crank bait with red hooks. The red makes the fish think the bait’s injured, and they’ll bite at it.
Do bass usually stay in the same area?
They’re rarely in the same place. They migrate. It’s all about hunting and searching for them no matter if you’re a serious tournament angler or a casual weekend guy. In a lot of cases these bass are bigger than residents.