Bass are among the most pursued species in North America. Largemouth, Smallmouth, White Bass, and Striped Bass are all treasured. But they aren’t always easy to catch! A handful of universal rules apply that will help you find and land more of these fish. And that’s why I’ve put this piece together. In my rundown of the top 10 Bass fishing tips, you’ll learn about spots, baits, conditions, and more to elevate your Bass game.
Note that Striped Bass are an exception, in many cases, as they roam saltwater and freshwater, and tend to school more. I haven’t focused on them, specifically, so these tips will apply to fishing for all the other Bass species.
1. Start Shallow
It’s tempting to hit those deep drop-offs and work low from the outset, but Bass love shallow water for ambush sites. Don’t be afraid to work the waters that look shallow – even too shallow – especially during the spring. I like to hit the shallows first and gradually work deeper until I find the sweet spot.
2. Work the Weeds
Running rigs with weed guards allows you to fish weed beds without snagging. Under the right conditions, anglers can clean up the weeds. I’ve run into situations with Largemouth where they stacked up thick weed beds and were more aggressive. This is because cover lends itself to confidence.
It’s a good idea to size down in the weeds. Accurate placement is more important than running oversized rigs. Look for lanes and pockets before branching out and risking snags in the thickest parts of a weed bed.
3. Drop-offs are Gold
If there’s one place I tend to focus most, it’s the drop-offs and transitions. This becomes especially important during seasonal transitions, where water temperature plays a major role in holding zones. Drop-offs allow Bass to move up and down in the water column, remaining comfortable while also having great ambush opportunities. Some of the larger fish in any system will use drop-offs, especially when structure is present. It offers open water for movement while retaining the safety and feeding opportunities a large fish requires.
4. Match Lures to Depth
Depth is a critical factor for Bass, and there are a number of ways to penetrate the water. Lighter and smaller spinnerbaits are great for shallow zones, while diving crankbaits and jigs can take things deeper. Organize your lures according to depth within each tackle box so you know what depths they can reach.
5. When All Else Fails, Fish a Worm
There are countless ways to rig soft baits and lures, but every Bass angler should have a soft worm to fall back on. I like rigging Texas or Carolina rigs to explore with a soft worm. They make it easy to cover different depths and water types with a weedless system. With all of the advancements in gear and lures, the classic worm is a failsafe and one of my go-to rigs for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
6. Don’t Forget About Structure
Don’t skip over the obvious structure, especially in clear water conditions. Bass love logs, stumps, docks, rock pilings, and even sunken boats. Wherever there’s structure, you’re likely to find fish. I like to work into these spots slowly, peppering the edges before moving into a more aggressive strategy, even knocking up against the structure itself.
If you have any doubts about where to focus your fishing, start casting towards the nearest log or piece of obvious structure in the water. If you can find submerged brush piles and less obvious structure, all the better. These submerged hotspots can produce numbers and size. I recommend keeping them a secret so you can return time and time again!
7. Know the Food Sources
Food is the driver for any species of fish, and anglers should always be cognizant of what’s available. This can change within individual bodies of water with seasonality. You might encounter a shad run one month and find the fish eating more crayfish the next!
Some common food sources for Bass include minnows, shad, crayfish, dragonflies, aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, mice, frogs, reptiles, birds, other mature fish, and more. As many Bass anglers know, if it fits in their mouth, they just might eat it.
8. Be Aggressive When Conditions Are Tough
Sometimes, Bass will hold tight and make it difficult to move them from safety. Give them a reason to strike! Agitate and take an aggressive approach to work the most likely water repeatedly. If you’re confident it’s holding fish, hit them on the head with your loudest, most obnoxious lures. While colder temperatures and some conditions call for finesse and a softer touch, it’s worth testing the aggressive methods first. You might draw a strike from a cagey monster this way.
9. Take Risks to Reach Narrow Pockets
Big Bass are adept predators and survivors capable of sitting in tight spaces. They love those tricky overhangs and tight pockets that are difficult to reach with your lures and baits. This is part of the reason those specific fish have reached such large sizes. You might snag a tree or branch while attempting to hit these spots, but it’s worth the risk. Practice sidearm casting so you can skip the lure under overhangs as well. It will make you a better angler with the ability to reach spots other anglers are missing.
10. Practice Casting Between Trips
Casting abilities make a massive difference for Bass anglers. Managing distance, finding accuracy, thumbing line, and using different casting motions like underhand pitching and overhead distance casts is important. Keep a set of lures without hooks and practice in the yard or at a convenient body of water. When there are no consequences, it’s much easier to experiment and develop your skill set.
Bass Fishing Tips FAQs
Elevate Your Bass Fishing Game with These Tips
Bass fishing isn’t complicated. As with anything, it takes practice and time on the water to improve and learn about the fish. As you fish through the seasons, keep track of temperature, barometric pressure, and general conditions to gain an understanding of the best times and techniques for each situation you encounter. However, if you start with these Bass fishing tips, you’ll be onto a winner in no time!
Are you an expert Bass angler? We’d love to hear your favorite Bass fishing tips and tricks. Share away in the comments below!
