The Bass Fishing Basics For Beginners

When fishing for bass the are many basic principles the beginning fisherman must understand and employ in his efforts. Understand that the behavior of this fish not only changes as the season pass but also changes from day to day and sometimes even from hour to hour.

There are many different artificial baits on the market that are designed to catch this fish. More money time and effort is spent concerning this species than any other fish on the planet. It is important that the beginning fisherman understand each of the tools at his or her disposal and use them properly.

First let's start out by discussing equipment. For Largemouth Bass I recommend using a medium action graphite rod for beginners. As you become more experienced you will be able to define situations where a more specialized rod will enhance your chances of success. For most situations though a medium action graphite rod is the ticket to success.

An open faced spinning reel with at least one hundred yards of eight to ten pound test line is a good place to start. Fluorocarbon line is your best choice because it is close to invisible in water and will make up for many mistakes a beginner will make is presentation of a bait. Monofilament line would be your next best choice. You lose a bit of stealth with this line but gain in strength and stretchibility.

A well stocked tackle box is surely a good place to start when fishing for bass. It is important however to know when and where to use each piece of equipment you own. I recall watching a move a long time ago when Jim Brown picked up a fancy rifle and said that the only person who could miss with the rifle is the one who has enough money to buy it. The point is that the best equipment in the world is useless in the hands of an unskilled user.

Largemouth Bass can often be defined as either active or passive. When they are active they will move at fast speeds to feed or defend its surroundings. As you can guess they are most easy to catch when they are active but even when active you will not catch them while using the improper approach. This is learned primarily through experience. Typically Largemouth Bass are active in the spring and fall and normally inactive during the hot summer months. This is not always the case though. The activity level of this species can change from day to day and even hour to hour.

When Largemouth Bass are active they are best caught using fast moving lures. Spinnerbaits work best in shallower water and in water with light to moderate weed growth. You should switch to an inline spinner when fishing water that is of medium depth. For water that is deeper than six to eight feet your best bet in a crankbait. Each of these lures is designed to be retrieved rapidly. When retrieved slowly their action is compromised and with it their effectiveness.