bass fishing tips

Countless fishermen have been using stick-baits (also called jerk-baits) like Redfins or Rapalas since they first started bass fishing on Cape Cod's Peters Pond. Though originally created as either a floating or sinking bait, many astute fishermen promptly unearthed a little modification to these stick-baits producing a lure that can be more effectively worked at intermediate depths.

Once adjusted, the super-charged minnow baits would then either ascend much more slowly or sometimes hang at depth (if they were lucky enough to get the mass balance right).

Even though the adjustment provided an answer to the mid-range depth suspension dilemma, it was less than a perfect solution. The alteration process was conducted by trial and error. Often times the stick-bait was destroyed during alteration. Usually a costly venture in time and money!

Are Suspending Jerk-baits Really Extraordinary?

The answer... positively yes! These jerk-baits provide the bass fisherman with one of the true "multi-use" weapons present in their tackle bag. Stick-baits will catch fish on Peters during any bass fishing season as along as the presentation method is altered to the environmental conditions present at that moment.

Remember that all black bass are cold-blooded critters meaning to a large extent, the water conditions sets their metabolism. This fact is especially important during the colder water times of year, such as the fall, winter, spring, since metabolism mandates the reaction time and eating tendencies of bass during these periods.

Another key factor supporting the use of stick-baits during the cold water periods is due to the fact that the primary forage during this season are shad.

Suspending jerk-baits are a tool where not only the nature of the retrieve can be varied, it can also be stopped for seconds at a time enabling sluggish fish that spare minute to "make their move". quite often a steady retrieve combined with a long pause causes reactions during these cold water periods when other techniques falter.

Because of these features, most fishermen who are out on Peters for some bass fishing during the late season use jerk-baits until the water dips below 40 degrees.

Here are a few tips to check out when fishing minnow baits on Peters Pond:

Use color patterns resembling Peters's bait using more natural patterns in clear water and brighter patterns (yellows) in dirty water;

Fish jerk-baits around detached cover on main lake structures, openings of the major coves and cuts and parallel to bluffs;

Vary the retrieve cadence of the jerk-bait and make changes depending on the reaction tendencies of the bass;

Observe your line! Using long pauses when fishing suspending minnow baits is sometimes like fishing plastic baits. As such the line only twitches when the fish inhales the lure;

Use a fairly long, light action jerk-bait rod with 10 to 12 lb. fluorocarbon line in clearer water.

Late fall/early winter Peters Pond bass fishing can be the best time of year on the water. Though you may not reel-in the quantity of largemouths you would during other seasons, using suspending jerk-baits this time of year usually produces better size fish and more often than not, a true lunker, largemouth bass.

Bass hunting is a very common and popular type of fishing. Majority of bass fishing are found in both freshwater and saltwater. They are also available through ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and creeks. Once you have the basics that regard to the conditions and locations where bass are most likely to be, then you stand a good chance when fishing for them.

Many factors influence the location of bass; this may include water conditions, weather, water levels, light and the availability food. These are some of the 3 major elements that have to be present in water body so that bass can survive; oxygen, food and cover.

The most favorite meal for bass is crawfish, they prefer this to shad. Basically, crawfish are normally available in large numbers and they are an easy catch for Bass. Despite of this, bass normally feed on almost anything ranging from mice, ducklings, rats, frogs, snakes, salamanders, lizards, worms, grub, the baitfish, the insects, and even leeches. This rare ability of the fish feast on almost anything is what makes majority of people to enjoy fishing bass.

Oxygen is the other key factor in locating the bass fish. The rule the old law here is that the cool the water temperature, the higher the content of oxygen. This means that suppose you are fishing in the summer, early fall, or spring, large bass are likely to drop down to the lower areas of the lake so as to find cooler and oxygen rich water. They are also more likely to swim to locate areas rich in vegetation so that they can locate better source of oxygen. Wind-blown banks, stumps, Trees, and power plants are all excellent sources of oxygen that will attract the bass fish.

The bass fish depend on cover as a way of protection and means of ambush. Cover is very essential as part of bass survival. Basses are notoriously known as a lazy fish, this means that they hide and lay in wait for their victim to come. Another reason for cover is that because the bass fishes are devoid of eyelids and the cover is their way of preventing blindness. Some of the most commonplace area that bass seek for cover includes formulated wood structures such as docks, pilings and fabricated wood structures. They are known to hide beneath floating wood pieces decomposing wood. The second ideal location to fish for bass is in the weeds. Rocks are also a good place that bass seek for cover. But rocks are not that much dependable as weeds can be or wood, bass also enjoy feeding on decomposing pieces of wood within rocks. But because rocks do not yield oxygen, they are not that much reliable.

In fishing, each person has his own opinion, in most cases these opinions range from source to location. There are some bass fishing lures and baits which are much suggested for bass fishing because they could be very useful if you haven't tried them. An example is the 7 inch colored Tequila worms with additional scent are recommended, and also Rebel wee-Rs. Hellgrammites are touted as the best of them all live baits, some people are of the opinion that you don't necessarily require big baits to attract big basses. Most people will advice you to tie up to a bank, or locate a dock to get closer, but then this is an art that cost you many years to perfect.

Basses are well known for their slow movement and the absence of distance in their movement. That means that you could possibly sit thirty feet from the largest bass in your entire life and he won't rush for your bait simply because of laziness. Locating the perfect spot is a big challenge and most fishing will therefore depend on sheer luck. The only thing you can control is locating the ideal spot that bass may be and be a bit patience. The weather is also an important factor in getting bass as well. Cloudy days maybe better that clear summers. But remember that overcast is always ideal for water temperatures, but then you may have to decide whether you are determined to sit throughout so as to catch bass. The determining factor when it comes to bass fishing is that you can only do your best with your available knowledge.

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Ask any bass fisherman which season requires the most unique approach to locating bass and invariably the answer will be winter. Winter bass fishing is challenging on many fronts. Anglers must deal with often bitter cold temperatures, frozen-over creeks and much lower fish metabolisms. So with all these obstacles, what can an angler do to improve their chances of hooking up in the winter?

Since largemouth bass are cold-blooded animals, their metabolism is much less in colder water. Metabolism is linked to digestion. This means bass eat less, thus making the fishing more difficult. It is much easier to coax a hungry fish into biting lures.

The entire food chain is suffering from lethargy this time of year, due to depleted energy stores. Do not forget that many of the largemouth's essential forage is in hibernation, most notably, crawfish. Animal life is not moving very quickly this time of year, either. Both predator and prey succumb to their metabolism and anglers often forget that their lures and bait must match the general mood of their environment. Work your lures too quickly and you'll be setting off red flags.

Locating largemouth bass in the wintertime requires a good understanding of the seasonal migrations that take place during the year. Generally speaking, bass migrate from the creeks of lakes into the main body of water during the winter. They may be located just inside of tributary arms, but are usually closer to main lake structure.

The reason this migration takes place is well known among experienced anglers. The bass move to deeper water because the water temperatures are more stable. If the bass were to stay shallow, they would be subjecting themselves to much harsher temperature fluctuations which is difficult for a cold-blooded animal that is seeking a constant environment.

Shad, a main forage of largemouth bass, are very prone to dying in cold water. Schools of shad will make the same migrations during early winter, seeking those more stable water temperatures. Where the food goes, the bass will follow. Remember this simple rule and your fishing will improve dramatically.

We know bass are deeper in winter. What presentations are most effective to catch them?

Proven winter bass fishing techniques have one thing in common. They all require you to work your lure close to the bottom. Also, a large percentage of the known effective techniques require a very slow presentation.

If there was a lure that was synonymous with winter bass fishing, it would be the blade bait. There are just a few manufacturers of blade baits, with the two most notable being Bass Pro Shops and Silver Buddy. Silver Buddy is the original and likely most refined blade bait on the market. Essentially this lure is nothing more than a flattened silver piece of metal shaped like a baitfish. When pulled through the water, it has a very tight vibration that is noticeable through the rod. Simply let the Silver Buddy blade bait sink to the bottom and give short twitches back to the boat. The Silver Buddy should touch the bottom after each and every twitch. The goal is the make the lure vibrate during the twitch, but not raise it off the bottom more than a foot at a time.

Another common winter bass fishing tactic is fishing a hair jig. While there are countless styles of hair jigs and hair patterns to choose from, the most effective for winter is the common deertail (bucktail) pattern. Bucktail hair does not breathe in the water as much as other hairs. While most anglers see this as a disadvantage, it is the very reason deertail jigs work so well. Since it has a lifeless appeal, it fits in its surroundings well and is seen as more natural to its environment.

The key to catching bass on hair jigs is in the retrieve. A 1/4 oz. or 3/8 oz. hair jig is best because it will let you keep the jig close to the bottom where the bass are in winter. Simply cast the hair jig out on 8 to 10 lb. test fluorocarbon and let it sink to the bottom. You will want to give the jig very small and slow hops back to the boat, never raising the jig off the bottom more than one foot.

Some top winter bass fishing locations to find fish are drop offs, ledges, points and inside channel bends. Locations to avoid are shallow and expansive flats, slowly sloping banks and current-laden areas. Holes are key spots and can often be loaded with hundreds of bass. While largemouth group up in large numbers in winter, very few will be willing to bite. You must cover lots of water until you find one willing to strike.

As you can see, winter bass fishing demands a much different game plan than the other seasons. There are numerous obstacles to contend with, and not all of them are under your control. While you may be able to psych yourself up to catch fish, it is not always possible to psych a winter bass into biting. Cover a lot of water looking for those transition areas where fish can hold in stable water temperatures and you should be able to catch a few during these tough times.

Rodney Ross lives in Washington, DC and frequents the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and James River for largemouth bass. Rodney writes outdoors articles for a few local publications and shares his wisdom on fishing at his Winter Bass Fishing blog. During the winter when the lakes are frozen over, Rodney spends his time collecting antique fishing tackle and testing winter bass fishing products that are useful to anglers.