ResearchStalking the Bass
When you're talking about big bass fishing you can't go just trundle out to the nearest body of water and expect to pull up a big bass. You need to know where a good spot is, and the best time to go. These two items of big bass fishing are the crucial elements to becoming a master. Once you have mastered these two concepts, you can rest assured you're becoming a better fisherman than most. From there on out, it's all Miller time and composing your next impressive catch story.
The first point to know about big bass fishing is where to actually find the shy critters. And next to that, of course, once you have found them the next point is to learn how to catch them. Yes, you can say "With a rod and bait?" - that's very observant of you - but what are the different techniques, tricks, and presentations you use to land yourself a winner? The tougher part usually is locating them in the first place, though.
It's all about the conditions. Knowing the water depth and understanding what it means will help, and going on a day when the water is at it's clearest can help greatly. The temperature needs to be right, so check with the local fishing authority or your local club to make sure you are visiting at the right time. The locations of your typical bass hangout is nothing specific you could find on a map. Instead, you have to know some things to look for when it comes to locating big bass on any given body of water. So, look for vegetation areas, as the bass like to harbor here and it is a perfect place to find them. Finding shallow water that is very close to deeper water is the best place to find the big bass. Keep in mind that structures may get in the way of finding the bass, so stay away from them. You want quiet areas away from man-made structure.
All black bass are well-known as strong fighters, and are fished for recreation. Depending upon species and various other factors such as water quality and availability of food, black bass may be found in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, streams, and creeks. The large-mouth kind are known for their overall size and resistance when hooked; this fish is a fighter! On realizing it's been hooked, it will favor short, powerful runs and if successful will escape to cover such as submerged logs or weed beds, where it will remember the experience for life to tell its grandkids. Smallmouth bass tend to jump more and fight aggressively on the surface when hooked, in the hopes of throwing the hook.
A lot of the excitement that comes from big bass fishing is when you do it with family and friends, making for a friendly competition which is a healthy social bonding experience for any group. It's a popular sport for father and son, and who else are you going to show your secret hot spot to but your own offspring?