Bass fishing 101

Largemouth bass live in lakes, ponds and rivers across the country. They're strong, they hit lures hard, and you can find them close to home almost anywhere.

Where bass hide

Bass ambush their food. Look for anything that gives them shade or a place to hide:

• Grass, weeds and lily pads
• Docks and boat houses
• Fallen trees and brush piles
• Rocks, riprap and bridge pilings
• Drop-offs, where shallow water gets deep fast

On a pond, cast along the bank, not only straight out. Bass often cruise the edges.

When they bite

• Time of day: early morning and evening are best, especially in summer. Cloudy days can be good all day.
• Spring: when the water warms into the 60s °F, bass move shallow to spawn. One of the best times of year.
• Summer: they feed shallow at dawn and dusk, then move deeper or into shade in the heat of the day.
• Fall: they chase baitfish and feed hard before winter.
• Winter: slow and deep. Fish slowly.

Three lures to start with

1. Texas-rigged soft plastic worm. The classic. Fish it slowly, right in the cover. It catches bass all year.
2. Spinnerbait. Cast it out and reel it back. Great on windy days and in stained water. White or chartreuse.
3. Topwater popper. For calm mornings and evenings. Pop, pause, pop. When a bass blows up on it, wait until you feel it before you set the hook.

More options in What lure when?

How to Texas-rig a worm

1. Slide a bullet weight (1/8 to 1/4 oz) onto your line, pointed end toward the rod.
2. Tie on an offset worm hook, about size 3/0, with a Palomar knot.
3. Push the hook point into the head of the worm about 1/4 inch, bring it out the side, and slide the worm up to the hook eye.
4. Turn the hook around and push the point back into the body so the worm hangs straight. Bury the point just under the surface so it doesn't snag.

Rod, reel and line

• Rod: about 7 feet, medium-heavy, fast-action casting rod. See Rod power and action.
• Reel: a baitcaster, about 7:1 to 8:1. See Gear ratio explained.
• Line: 15 to 30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader in clear water, or 12 to 17 lb mono.

Setting the hook

• Worms and jigs: when you feel a tap, or see the line jump or move sideways, reel down until the line is tight, then sweep the rod up hard.
• Crankbaits and spinnerbaits: when the rod loads up, keep reeling and sweep the rod to the side. No need to jerk.
• Topwater: wait until you feel the weight, then set the hook.

Holding and releasing a bass

• Hold a bass by the lower lip, thumb inside the mouth. Bass have rough, sandpaper-like teeth, not sharp ones.
• With a big bass, support its belly with your other hand. Don't hang a heavy fish straight down by the jaw.
• Wet your hands first, keep it out of the water as briefly as you can, and let it swim off on its own.
• Keeping some? Check your state's size and bag limits first. See Your first fishing license.

Keep a pair of pliers handy for hooks that go deep. Our Precision Grip Pliers are made for it.