Bass are common in lakes and rivers across the country and they put up a good fight making for an exciting catch while still being relatively easy to land. Combined, this makes bass fishing incredibly popular and a great way to get beginners hooked on fishing. If you’re looking to start reeling them in, we’ve got the fishing gear and advice you need.
- Types of Bass
- Where Can You Catch Bass?
- When Can You Catch Bass?
- What Kind of Gear Do You Need To Catch Bass?
- Best Bait and Lures for Catching Bass
- What Rig Should You Use for Bass?
- How to Get Bass to Bite
Types of Bass
If you’re after freshwater bass and like a good fight, targeting black bass species like smallmouth, largemouth, Guadalupe and spotted bass is a good bet.
Where Can You Catch Bass?
Streams, rivers, ponds, natural lakes and man-made reservoirs are all good spots to find bass. If the body of water has good clarity and lots of color and forage, then you should be set. Once you’ve found your body of water, look for cover that often attracts bait fish like minnows, crawfish, shad and other fish. The cover attracts prey while also allowing bass to hide and wait for the fish to come to them. Fish around standing timber, laydowns, stumps lily pads, grass beds, rocks, docks or anything else that looks like it might provide cover.
When Can You Catch Bass?
Timing
Generally, the best time to catch bass is at dawn and dusk. Bass hunt and feed in low-light environments meaning that when the sun is high in the sky, the bass probably aren’t biting. Overcast days can make for some incredible days of bass fishing as well. The clouds create lower light conditions all day and extend the amount of time bass are out feeding.
Seasons
Spring and summer are great times to fish for bass. The ideal water temperature range is 60 – 80 degrees and the warmer temps in these season push water temps closer to that range.
What Kind of Gear Do You Need To Catch Bass?
For an all-around baitcasting combo that can handle most popular bass fishing techniques, go for a 7-foot medium-heavy baitcasting rod paired with a baitcasting reel with a gear ratio of 7.1:1. This gear ratio should be well suited for just about anything, giving you a great starting point that allows you to add reels with faster or slower ratios later on. Most of the line you’ll use when bass fishing will be between 8-15 lbs. 10 – 12 lb. fishing line is perfect for crankbaits, but you can bump it up to 15 lb. line if you’re shallow running crankbaits or jerk baits.
Some anglers like to target bass with light spinning combos as well. A medium-light rod, paired with 4- or 6-pound line has caught plenty of bass in tournaments and can make it easier to present bait to the fish in a natural way since the lighter line will move with the water better. Making your line and lure smaller also means that a larger number of different-sized fish can eat the bait, potentially leading to more strikes and hopefully more catches.
Best Bait and Lures for Catching Bass
Lures
Just a few lures can cover most bass fishing. We’ll walk you through a few popular types.
- Crankbaits: Mid-range crankbaits are great for beginners and smaller ones are easy to use on lighter gear.
- Buzzbaits: These are also great for beginners. They’re easy to use since you can keep the bait on the top of the water just by reeling in at a steady pace and it’s also a visual bait so there will be no question if you have a bite on the line.
- Small swimbait on a jighead: These are also easy to use and work well on light gear.
Live Bait
Live bait is a great way to target bass as well. Shiners, shad or even a simple worm can all work really well to get bass to come biting.
What Rig Should You Use for Bass?
A Texas rig works great for bass fishing because they give you a way to fish bait through thick cover without getting snagged. They’re one of the first rigs a bass angler should learn and you don’t need much to set one up. Basically all you need are:
- A bullet-shaped slip sinker
- A swivel
- About a foot of leader
- An offset or straight shank fishing hook
- A soft plastic bait of your choice
Once you have everything you need, tie the swivel to the you main line and tie the leader to the other end of the swivel. Slip the weight onto the leader and tie the hook on. Stick the hook through the middle of the soft bait at the nose and then out the side of the bait about 1/8 to ¼ inch down. Continue pushing the hook through until the whole hook is out through the new exit hole. Spin the hook so that the point is facing the bait, bury the point of the hook in the plastic and you’re done!
How to Get Bass to Bite
One of the best ways to catch a lot of bass is to use the Texas rig and plastic bait anywhere you think bass might be. Cast it near grass, docks, wood or any other cover that could be holding bass and then pick the bait up, let it fall, reel in the slack and repeat. The movement of your bait should help attract any bass lurking nearby.
Need More Help?
West Marine is the perfect place to get ready for your next fishing trip. We offer free line spooling and locally assorted tackle in most of our stores to gear you up for what’s biting in your area. Plus, with plenty of anglers on our crew, we have the know-how you need to get ready. Find your store here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to fish for bass?
The best time to catch bass is typically early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the water is cooler, and bass are more active. During the warmer months, bass tend to feed more aggressively during these times. Also, fishing during the spawning season (spring) can be especially productive.
What are the best lures for catching bass?
Bass are attracted to a wide variety of lures, but some of the most popular include:
- Jigs: Great for mimicking crawfish or other bottom-dwelling prey.
- Crankbaits: Effective for covering a lot of water and triggering reaction strikes.
- Spinnerbaits: Known for their versatility and ability to attract bass in different conditions.
- Soft plastics (like worms or creature baits): These are great for finesse fishing and can be effective in various conditions.
How do I locate bass in a lake or river?
Bass can often be found near structures like rocks, fallen trees, weeds, or drop-offs. During warmer months, bass tend to stay near deeper waters or submerged structures to stay cool. In the spring, they move toward shallower areas to spawn. Using sonar or a fish finder can help you pinpoint these spots more effectively.
What is the difference between catching largemouth and smallmouth bass?
Largemouth bass are typically found in warmer, weedy waters and are more likely to strike when presented with larger baits. Smallmouth bass, on the other hand, prefer clearer, cooler waters with rocky bottoms and are often more aggressive towards smaller, faster-moving lures.
What techniques should I use to catch bass?
Common bass fishing techniques include:
- Texas rig: A soft plastic bait is hooked on a weighted, offset hook to mimic a worm or creature moving along the bottom.
- Drop shot rig: A technique where the bait is suspended above the weight, making it perfect for fishing in deep water.
- Pitching and flipping: Used to place lures into tight areas, such as under docks or overhanging trees, where bass like to hide.
- Crankbait retrieve: Varying the speed of your retrieval can help you mimic the movement of small fish or other prey.