At A Glance: Bass
Bass fishing is more than a sport, it is a way of life and has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry. Bass are known as strong fighters and tend to reside in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, streams, and creeks. Common types of bass include largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, and Guadalupe. Largemouth bass are known for their great size and strong resistance when hooked. They favor short, powerful runs, escaping into cover. Smallmouth bass fight and jump on the surface when they’re hooked, in hopes to free themselves by throwing the hook. Bass are scent and visual predators, meaning they can detect foreign scents on your gear, especially soft plastics. Both recreational and professional bass anglers practice catch and release as a method of conservation for the species.
The creation of the plastic worm revolutionized the sport of bass fishing, paving the way for anglers and fishing companies to turn it into a professional sport. Now, there are several major bass fishing competitions in the United States as well as high school and collegiate competitions. The Average Joe can’t just join the professional circuit right off the bat - you’ve got to compete and win smaller events to create a reputation. Being a professional bass angler is a full-time job; you have multiple competitions, corporate sponsorship deals, conventions, seminars, and presentations.
Before you try joining the pro circuit, let’s start with some bass fishing basics. FishUSA can make sure you have all the gear you need to become a pro bass fisherman in no time! Many bass pros will often recommend starting with a seven-foot medium-heavy spinning rod. The medium-heavy power works great with a variety of lures and gives you enough backbone in your fishing rod to handle larger lunkers. A 2000 or 3000 model of spinning reel pairs well with your rod. You’re looking for a well-balanced reel with no plastic components. Some bass anglers prefer using baitcasters for easy and efficient flipping and pitching. Shimano is known for producing durable and powerful rods and reels. A good fishing line to use for bass is a monofilament line with a test between 10 - 30 lbs. However, braided line is also popular due to its strength while remaining quite thin in diameter. If you prefer braided line, it’s best to check out PowerPro.
When it comes to lures, there are many different techniques and combinations that trigger strikes from bass. The most popular bass rig is the Texas rig. It is versatile, allowing you to punch through cover, drag along the bottom, or bounce off rocks. The drop shot rig is a great technique for vertical fishing for deep bass. Neko or Wacky rigs are very popular for anglers who like to use stick worms. There are also effective crankbaits, stickbaits, and jerkbaits with a variety of profiles and diving depths on the market today.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re bass fishing:
- Bass like to hang around cover such as rocks, woods, grass, lily pads, or boat docks. This helps conceal themselves so they can easily ambush their prey.
- Bass have a broad diet that ranges from baitfish to bluegills to baby ducks. Make sure your lure imitates the kind of forage that bass are eating in your area.
- Weather, wind, and water temperature all matter when you’re fishing. Do your research and develop a plan for your fishing day. Bass are more active on cloudy days and will attack fast, aggressive lures in warmer water. Make sure you’re fishing before the storm, the added pressure makes the bass more active.
- Be versatile and persistent. Don’t live and die by one technique but also don’t give up on an area or application too quickly. Annoy these bass, make them angry enough to take a bite!
The last tip we like to give to all of our customers is to HAVE FUN! Fishing is considered a sport for many, and a hobby to everyone else. We love being able to teach you and give you everything you’ll need to become a master bass angler. Brands that produce some of the best rods, reels, line, and lures for bass fishing include: Shimano, Rapala, Keitech, Zoom, and more.