The following article will cover some of the most important Bass Fishing Techniques. Learn how to fish crankbaits, rubber worms, and dragged baits. Once you're comfortable with these techniques, you'll be ready to tackle the big lakes and rivers in your area. If you haven't yet, don't worry! There's still time to improve your bass fishing game! Keep reading to learn about more Bass Fishing Techniques.
Dragging
Whether you're fishing in shallow water or deep, draggin' is a proven technique. In cold, winter months, bass are usually sluggish, so a subtle draggin' presentation will yield the best results. Drag the lure slowly over the bottom, maintaining good contact with the bottom as you reel. When you do, a sharp hook will hook the bass and transfer the angler's energy to the line.
To determine the exact drag needed for different baits, use small spring scales. These springs are also found in Boca Grips and other fish handling devices. To properly set the drag, hold the line at a 45-degree angle and hook the weight. Adjust the drag until the line holds about 1/3 to half of the weight. For example, if you're fishing with a 20-pound line, the weight should remain anchored until you feel it drag on the line. The drag should be tight, but not too tight.
For cold-water days, try dragging and shaking a worm. Bass are less active in the cold water, and dragging and shaking a worm can help them feed faster. Pro bass angler Shane LeHew keeps a compact worm on hand and uses it to fish Texas-rigged worms during tough bites. He stresses the importance of long casts and dragging the bottom slowly.
Crankbaits
The design and manufacture of crankbaits for bass fishing has changed over the years. Computer technology has greatly affected crankbait development and manufacturing. 3D printers can now "print" plastic prototypes directly from computer programs. However, many new crankbaits still start life as hand-carved balsa wood prototypes. The process for new lures is still fairly labor intensive, but there have been many advances made.
For starters, you should invest in a quality crankbait. This type of lure is effective in most locations and is versatile enough to imitate many different types of prey. Crankbaits are a great choice for bass fishing, as they can be fished all year long. However, they're most effective in the spring, fall, and summer. The key to crankbait fishing success is to continually adjust your retrieve rate to suit the bass's reaction on any given day.
Another great feature of crankbaits is their ability to dive deep. Most bass reside at about 6.5 feet in water during early summer. The added depth of this lure allows it to reach an excellent distance, which helps it catch more fish. The S-wave crankbait is a great choice for bass fishing, as it will signal bass from far away. Its constant motion will awaken the attack instinct of a bass. Ideally, the reel should be 7:1 to get the most out of your crankbait.
Jigbaits
While choosing a jig for bass fishing, keep in mind that not all jigs are created equal. The most effective jigs will trigger a reaction bite, so it's important to learn the best technique for each type. Flipping and pitching jigs are two of the most common techniques, but if you're unsure of what each style is, try practicing in your backyard first.
Weight: The weight of a bass jig's head determines its speed of sinking. Lighter weights will fall slower, and heavier ones will sink faster. The heavier weight will last longer for a longer period of time. You'll know a bass has hit the jig if you hear your line tugging on the fall. Once the bass hits the jig, set the hook.
Head: The head is the most important part of the jig's design. Some jigs are designed to mimic different forage prey, such as crawfish. While they might seem like a simple presentation, jigs have proven to be a great fish producer. If you're a seasoned angler, try a few different jig presentations and develop confidence when using them. The more you use jigs, the more fish you'll catch!
Rubber worms
Whether you're fishing for bass or other species, you'll likely find success using rubber worms in bass-friendly waters. The natural colors of rubber worms are a good match for most bait fish. For maximum effect, match the size of your worm to that of the bait fish. Also, pay attention to the action of the worm. If it moves quickly and squirms in the water, bass will hit it.
Another advantage of using rubber worms for bass fishing is that they don't make very much noise in the water. Rubber worms are not as attracting as plastic worms and are not a good choice for dark water. If you're trying to catch bass in a dark-colored lake, a brightly colored worm is a better choice. This is because bass like brightly colored baits and will often strike at them when they're struck by a rubber worm.
Another option is to try a ribbon tail worm. These worms are made of the same materials as the straight-tailed variety. However, ribbon-tail worms tend to be longer than straight-tailed worms. They tend to catch larger fish, so you'll want to pick a worm that has a long tail. If you're targeting largemouth bass, use salt-impregnated artificial worms. This type of worm is ideal for largemouth bass and is often rigged with a shaky head.
Carolina rigs
If you're new to fishing with a Carolina Rig, this article will give you a brief introduction to this style of bait. Carolina Rigs consist of a bead, weight, and clacker, and a little more line going to the hook. This style of bait is also known as a weedless or bass and chain rig. You'll need bait casting gear to use this rig properly, but you can also fish it with a spinning setup.
One of the primary benefits of Carolina rigs for bass fishing is that they are a great alternative to sight-fishing, particularly in windy or cloudy conditions. Carolina rigs are also easy to adjust and work with a variety of soft baits. This makes them a great choice for beginners. They are also a great choice for fishing in rivers and lakes. In addition to being a great alternative to sight-fishing, they're also versatile enough to work in any type of water.
The weight of the Carolina rig makes it hard to resist for bass. It triggers instincts in the fish, making it appear as if it's a dead or injured animal. When bass see it floating above the bottom, they'll think it's an injured bait, and they'll likely strike. Because a Carolina rig is so heavy, bass can't see the weight, making it less effective in muddy water.
Jigs
There are a number of different jigs for bass fishing. Some are designed to resemble swimming baitfish. These lures are best for close-quarters fishing, where bass are often surrounded by cover. Other jigs are made to be flipped around and presented to different spots. The jig used for this technique should be small and natural-looking to avoid spookiness.
There are many different types of jigs for bass fishing, including plastic and natural hair. Some baits are made with animal hair, including bucktail, moose, rabbit, fox, and marabou. Synthetic hair can also be used to create specialized jigs. However, jigs with natural hair work best. Because bass prefer small baits, jigs made from animal hair are better for the bass.
Small head jigs, often marked with a small wire hook, are designed for casting and working the jig back along sloping or do-nothing banks. These are especially effective on fisheries with sparse cover and clear water. Small head jigs work best on smaller diameter lines, and can be fished in cold and clear waters. Jigs with wire hooks are also more sensitive than traditional jigs.
Live bait
When choosing your bait, you should think about the type of fish you're targeting. Live bait for bass is the best choice if you're targeting largemouth bass, but crawfish are a good option for smaller fish, too. Basically, you can use any prey item as a bait, but the key is that it fits into the bass's mouth. Luckily, there are a few different types of crawfish to choose from, and they all work well when it comes to attracting bass.
Worms are a popular choice for bass bait, and are available at most bait shops. While worms are often found in the wild, they can also be bred by anglers. Some anglers even have a specific "worm spot" that they use for fishing. Other popular live bait for bass fishing include red wrigglers, nightcrawlers, and normal earthworms. When used properly, these baits will attract bass and improve your chances of catching a large one.
When choosing live bait for bass fishing, it is important to keep in mind that each species of bait may differ slightly in size. Live baits may be small and tasty, but you shouldn't use smaller, less-savory fish. Live baits are also much easier to catch when they swim easily. Minnows and shiners are great for fishing around weeds and other cover. This makes them an excellent choice when you need to be subtly approach a fish with little effort.