Bass - You Have To Know Them To Catch Them

When it comes to fishing, I've found that, pound-for-pound, nothing beats the excitement of getting a large- or smallmouth bass on the hook. They are two of the best freshwater action fish out there. the popularity of the pro B.A.S.S. tour is surely a testament to that. Even for the casual weekend warrior, a bass on the line is cause for excitement. Get one hooked and you're sure to be hooked, too!

Trying to catch them can be one of the most trying aspects of any fishing trip. Some days, it seems that they are the most fickle of fish, biting like crazy one minute and then not a peep for hours, or even days. I've found that sunrise and sunset, when the water's surface is the most calm, is usually the best time to catch them, especially in the shallows. Another good time to catch them in the shallows is when they are spawning.

It's usually the hardest to catch them in the middle of the day when the sun is at or near its highest point. That is because they then retreat to the deeper parts of the ponds or lakes where it is cooler. When you live out in the midwest like I do, it can be a daunting task to get them to bite in the heat of the day unless you are jigging. A decent sized weight on the line should get your bait down to the depth where they hang.

A friend said I should study them in order to catch them and that's exactly what I did. Since I'm primarily a bank fisherman, I've found it handy to get a terrain map of whatever lake I may be fishing at so I can get a lay of the land. They are usually just a few dollars and most sizeable lakes and reservoirs sell them.

Bass are ambush predators and will linger near cover, so as to get the jump on their prey. Fishing near any underwater foliage or submerged trees is usually a good start to find the bass. The downside to that is that you have to be willing to deal with a few lost lures due to them getting tangled in brush or hooked on logs or twigs. Bass also like to hang out near terrain changes underwater such as drop-offs or deep holes. Polarized sunglasses will help a little to try and peer into the water if you do not have a map. If you see a drop-off on the map or in the water, the bass will likely be there.

It also helps to go to a farm pond or private lake where there is not as much fishing pressure as there is in the big lakes and state reservoirs. Farm ponds usually don't see the same amount of fishing and the fish are not as wary. Bass are smart fish and if a body of water is heavily fished a good portion of the time, the fish will be harder to catch. They are not impossible to catch there, though. It just takes a little more patience.

One can catch bass at almost any time, day or night, if you have the right approach. Know them and you will catch them. There's nothing like the sight of seeing a bass attack your bait or lure and explode out of the water. I remember how excited I was the first time it happened when I was a kid and I still get that same rush whenever one strikes! Fish on...

Pearl o' fishing wisdom: There's a fine line between fishing...and standing on the shore like an idiot.