Expert Info On Freshwater Bass LuresPosted by Warner Schwartz on May 12th, 2021 As a rule, select lighter, more compact lures than you would for big impoundments, because of the skittishness of the bass and the smaller, often clearer environment they live in. Arbogast JitterbugThe main key to successful pond fishing is to be methodical. Leave no potentially bass-holding spot un-probed, and use a variety of retrieves from fast to plodding, erratic to smooth. You'll find peace, solitude and a relaxed atmosphere on ponds. Slide the body over the eye of the hook, turn the hook 180 degrees, and re-insert the point. Don’t let tournament bass anglers convince you that you need 25 different high-end rods reels and presentations to get started. They use all of those setups so they can quickly change tactics and try to pinpoint bass in a hurry. If you are just casually catching fish fishing for enjoyment, and/or you are just getting into the sport, it really makes more sense to slow down and learn what works for YOU. So grab yourself a Vibe fishing kayak and keep an eye out for these basic equipment must haves. Also in the topwater category, but giving a very different presentation than a buzzbait is the hollow body frog. Bass are opportunistic foragers which prey on the most abundant and vulnerable food. Fish, crayfish, large aquatic and terrestrial insects, frogs, worms and even small mammals and birds have been found in bass stomachs. Passion for angling drives Dan Brozowski to the water’s edge virtually any chance he gets. Southern bass grow fast and can weigh 20 pounds or more. Northern bass hardly ever go over 10 pounds, and a three pounder is considered a good fish. When you put a bass in the livewell, they’re notorious for spitting up what they were feeding on. From there you can tell what color lure or kind of lure to throw the rest of the day. When you cast, stop halfway instead of following through, similar to a check swing in baseball. Of course a lot of the new lures are designed more to entice bass anglers rather than bass. Black bass are the most sought-after gamefish in the United States, and are number one in terms of how much money is spent on equipment for them. In fact, more tackle is made for bass fishing than for any other species of fish. When you feel a heavy thump, that means a bass has taken it. Crankbaits- Crankbaits are pretty easy to fish; generally you just cast them out and retrieve them at a steady rate. They generally dive to different depths so it makes sense to use one that dives to the depth where the fish are . Crank fast to make it dive and then retrieve steadily to keep it at the depth you want. Many times strikes will come right after the lure bounces against an underwater log or rock. They all play their role in worm fishing, but of all the rigs the Texas rig is most commonly used amongst bass fishermen. This rig is completely weedless, making it a great choice for fishing vegetation and other cover without getting hung up. Also there is no other lure that can be rigged as weedless as a rubber worm. You can bury the hook point in to the body of the worm making it completely snag proof and allowing it to get in to very weedy areas. The point will expose itself when you set the hook, executing a good hook set is essential in worm fishing. Lures that catch bass throughout the season in a variety of waterbody types should be the focus. To help, we’ve put together this list of 7 lures that are successful on any waterbody, all year long. If you build your supply from this list, you can rest easy knowing that no matter what the lake throws at you, you’ll be ready. Live bait, bass worms or fish in these out of the way lakes seldom sees small moving lures. The final lure style that every fisherman should have in their tackle box is some form of a soft plastic bait. This category is very large and gives anglers an extensive variety of color and shape choices. From worms to crawfish to lizards to stick baits, there’s a soft plastic style for every hungry fish. Topwater lures can be the most effective in low-light fishing conditions, like early mornings or late evenings. Anglers should also consider trying topwater lures in warmer months when bass are typically more active. A Texas rigged worm is the most versatile lure on the market. They come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and scents. Bass cannot resist them, and haven't been able to for years. Bass are pretty active in the early to mid-fall months in many parts of the country as the fish fatten up for winter. Cooler temperatures will bring them to the shallows, where they can be targeted easily. In the southern states, the bass bite starts picking up around the beginning of spring or even late winter. This has led to amazing developments of all sorts of fishing gear, many of which have had a special focus on the advancement of largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing lures. You can effectively cover an entire body of water, during any season, with a single jig. They can get in to areas other lures can’t and be fished in so many different ways. Ask any seasoned bass fisherman if they could only use one lure, chances are it would be a jig. Lots of anglers would probably be surprised to see the hard jerkbait in the category of “year-round bass lures” since they are traditionally relegated to the cold water months. Sounds vary from one manufacturer to another, so trial and error of the best sound and vibration for your particular water will come into play. Louder baits are not always the best option, as some manufacturers may suggest. Lure Selection Guide Popular lures to over 45 species of fish. Bass spawn in the spring when water temperatures reach degrees. This can be from May to late June depending on the part of the country. Nesting usually occurs within seven to eight feet of shore in one to three feet of water. The bass are typical of coastal bass species and will hit plastic worms and creature baits, spinnerbaits and sometimes crankbaits. Most of the bass are in the 1 ½ to 2-pound range, but an occasional 5- to 6-pounder is landed. A creel limit of three fish with a minimum length of 14 inches is in effect. Mike Carter at the lake office said crappie are biting well 3 feet deep close to shore on tube jigs or minnows. Aaron Jolliff at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said the top three are top-water lures, spinner baits and any soft plastic lure such as a plastic worm. Fish 10 feet deep or shallower along rocky banks or banks with a mix of gravel and rock. Of course, it’s hard to beat crickets to catch bream, but earthworms can sometimes be best for the shellcrackers. Crappie will hit small jigs, Beetle-Spins and minnows fished under corks. The rising lake level has slowed action on crappie and striped bass. Average surface water temperature is in the mid to upper 60s. Our passion for fishing is what drives us to do everything possible to empower other anglers. Aaron Warner is an avid angler with over 15 years of experience.Like it? Share it! More by this author |