Landing big bass is 5 percent luck and 95 percent knowledge. There is a lot to learn about bass fishing, including knowing how to locate and tackle the prime bass fishing areas.
Recreational and pro anglers alike often expect to hook a big bass as soon as they drop their lines into a new body of water. They scratch their heads and ask why the fish aren't striking, but haven't taken the time to familiarize themselves with the water above, and below, the surface.
Finding the best bass fishing area is not a shot in the dark. You need to do a little homework to locate the bass and understand the water.
There are several important factors to keep in mind when finding sweet spots swimming with hungry bass:
1. Seasonal patterns will naturally affect the success of your fishing expedition. Know where bass travel after spawning, and how they naturally migrate throughout the season. Government resource ministries reflect the natural spawning patterns when they set bass seasons, and every responsible angler will respect their seasonal limits.
2. Have a sense of the season. Your successful bass fishing expedition is absolutely dependant on seasonal climate. Bass are most active in late fall, early spring and just after a cold front. Being able to determine when to fish is as important as knowing where to fish.
3. Know the depth of the water. This factor is naturally combined with the type of bass you're fishing, as well as other considerations such as lakebed materials, natural covers or nearby weed beds. You will find bass in shallow water, if there are sufficient natural covers in place. However, shallow water should be avoided on hot, sunny days. Knowing the depth of the water will also determine your choice of bait.
4. Fish love clear water, so avoid murky, swampy areas. Everyone prefers clean water; particularly fish that need to live and breathe in it.
5. Fish when the water is cool. The natural food chain will be affected when the water drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the fish simply won't bite when the water is too warm.
6. Locate hidden structures. Bass love to seek shelter among the sunken branches of fallen trees and hide out amid rock beds, under boat docks and around underwater foundations. If you can find structures hidden beneath the surface of the water, you're bound to find bass.
7. Don't forget the greens. As natural predators, bass will naturally stay close to their prey. Frogs, insects and other bass treats live among weed beds, so of course, bass will be there as well. Use a plug or similar weedless lure, or try live bait when fishing weed beds. Anchor your boat nearby, and cast alongside the edge of the weed bed. The right piece of tackle will "lure" the bass right into your boat.
8. Map out your territory. The ability to read a map is fundamentally important to your bass fishing success. Depending on where you fish, you may find prime fishing spots marked on maps available at local tackle shops. If you can't find the lake on a map, you'll never land the bass. Most serious anglers rely on two main types of lake maps, including hot spot and topographical maps. A topographical map shows the lake in more detail and includes rocks, variations in water depth and so on. Hot spot maps are drawn for the sole purpose of showing anglers where fish are located. Fish naturally migrate, of course, so a hot spot map should never be considered as a sure thing.
Knowing how to sector a map is the key to using it correctly. Study your map carefully and look for areas where fish are most likely to be found. Divide the map into sections with a colored pen or highlighter. An experienced angler will use the sections to determine where to fish, depending on the amount of time they have to spend on the water. The size of the sections can also vary depending on structures, contours and how many different areas will be fished. It's important to take your time, and don't give up too quickly on your chosen spot.
Successful bass anglers know that it takes more than dropping anchor and casting bait to hook a big, hungry bass. That's why bass tournaments can be so competitive and exciting. To come out on top, you need to think like a bass and search out those sweet spots that other anglers have missed.
Remember what to look for in bass fishing areas:
* Look for weed beds and other vegetation
* Shallow water adjacent to deeper areas
* Irregular contours
* Points and point drops
* Natural and artificial structures
The key to locating bass is your understanding of the water. If you find a spot that you think is prime for bass, be patient. Bass can be stubborn and slow to strike, and it can take a lot of repetitive action to lure them out of hiding. Try several techniques and different types of bait. Before long, you'll establish a working pattern and land that big bass.
About the Author:
Contributor Terence Uniacke enjoys writing articles for numerous popular web sites, on boating sports recreation and recreation and leisure subjects.
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