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Bass Fish Hideouts -- 8 Tips |
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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.
Many anglers (both pro and recreational) hit a new body of water, drop their lines and wonder why the bass just aren't striking. This is because they haven't taken the time to familiarize themselves with the water -- both 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. A number of very important factors are combined in locating sweet spots that are loaded with hungry bass:
1. Seasonal patterns will naturally affect your fishing success. Know where bass travel after they spawn, and how they migrate throughout the season. Natural spawning patterns are reflected in bass seasons set by government resource ministries, and all responsible anglers respect their season limits.
2. Understand the climate. Weather conditions are particularly important for successful bass fishing. Bass are most active just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods. Know where to fish, and when 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. Water clarity means a lot to fish. Everyone prefers clear water -- particularly the fish that need to live and breathe in it. Avoid murky and swampy areas.
5. Know the water temperature. If the water is too cold (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit) the natural food chain will be affected. On the other hand, if it's too warm, the fish just won't bite.
6. Locate structure areas. Bass love to hide out among the sunken branches of fallen trees, amid rock beds and even under boat docks and underwater foundations. Fine structures hidden beneath the surface of the water, and you'll find bass.
7. Find vegetation areas. Bass tend to be where they'll find natural prey, and that's often amid or alongside a weed bed. Look for areas with lots of vegetation, as these will be home to frogs, insects and other bass treats. Choose a lure made for weed beds, such as plugs or small floating minnows, or anchor your boat near the edge of the bed and cast alongside the weeds. A lure is named as such because it "lures" fish out of hiding.
8. Knowing how to read a map is fundamentally important. In some areas, prime fishing spots are marked on maps available for sale. If you can't find the lake, you'll never land the bass. There are two main types of lake maps that most anglers rely on: Hot spot and topographical maps. A topographical map will show the lake in more detail, including variations in water depth, rocks, and so forth. Hot spot maps are created with the sole intention of showing anglers where the fish are located. Of course, fish migrate, so the latter should not be considered a goldmine of information.
The key to using a map correctly is in knowing how to sector the map. Take the map and study it carefully, looking for areas where fish are most likely to be found. Use a coloured pen or highlighter to divide the map into sections. Experienced anglers can use the sections to determine where they will fish, dependant on the amount of time they have to spend. The size of the sections will vary depending on structures, contours and how many areas you want to try. Once you choose your spot, don't give up on it too quickly.
There is much more to being a consistent bass angler than just dropping your anchor and casting the line. That's what makes a bass tournament so competitive and exciting. You need to think like a bass and find the spots that other anglers have missed. Remember what to look for in bass fishing areas:
* Vegetation areas
* Shallow water adjacent to deeper areas
* Irregular contours
* Points and point drops
* Natural and manmade structures
Locating bass and understanding the water are the first steps to finding bass, and once you've found a spot you think will be a prime bass fishing area, don't give up on it too quickly. Bass can be slow to strike and may need repetitive action to be lured out of hiding, so you may need to try several different baits and techniques to establish a working pattern and land those big bass.
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