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 pro and recreational anglers expect to hook a bass as soon as they drop their lines into a new body of water. They wonder why the bass aren't striking, even though they 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.
A number of very important factors are combined in locating sweet spots that are loaded with hungry bass:
1. Your fishing expedition will naturally be affected by seasonal patterns. Know the patterns of the bass; where they go after spawning, and how they migrate throughout the season. Be a responsible angler and respect your seasonal limits. Government resource ministries protect the species by setting bass season in accordance with natural spawning patterns.
2. Understand the seasons. 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. Water temperature is important. When water drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the natural food chain will be affected. If it's too warm, on the other hand, the fish simply won't bite.
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. 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. 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.
A consistent bass angler knows that success depends on more than simply dropping anchor and casting the line. That's why competitive bass tournaments are so exciting. Try to think like a bass, and look for the spots that other anglers might have missed.
Always remember those important factors in finding sweet spots for bass:
* Weed beds and other vegetation areas
* Shallow water next to deeper spots
* 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.
Article Source: http://www.articleyard.com
Information about the Author:
Contributor Terence Uniacke is an author for numerous Internet magazines, on fishing recreation water and recreation and leisure subjects.
No comments:
Post a Comment