Water temperature is the single best predictor of which lure, presentation, and technique to pick when bass fishing. Yes, water clarity, barometric pressure, the current prey items, and even the moon phase impact bass behavior, but not nearly as much as how warm (or cold) the water is. That’s because while the “best” lure can […]
Facts at a glance Many factors combine to increase post-release mortality among bass According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, catch-and-release mortality rates were as high as 20% But new research suggests no significant effect of terminal tackle on fish mortality Instead, it was the length of time in the live well that was […]
As you can probably guess, there’s no one perfect rod length for a bass rod. Instead, the ideal length depends on several factors, specifically your technique. That’s not to say that there aren’t good compromises available for an all-around bass rod, but if you look at the deck of a pro’s boat, you’re going to […]
Among fly anglers, there’s no question that cold water species like trout reign supreme. Flies and trout are a perfect pairing, as they’re primed to feed on flying insects on or near the surface. But across America, it’s largemouth bass that haunt the dreams of anglers, and on clear rivers, it’s smallies that get fishermen’s […]
As the boat idled out of yet another shallow water bay, our day was all but done, and the fishing had been nothing to write home about. A handful of small bass was not the result we were hoping to get out of the hours we had just spent casting. And then it happened. As […]
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of bass fishing? Fast, flashy boats full of top-of-the-line gear? Sure, that’s how lots of anglers chase bass, but it’s not how it has to be. In fact, some of the best bass fishing can be done from shore. It’s no coincidence that you […]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that a staggering 80% of the population lives within 10 miles of a bass pond. It's very likely you have a good bass pond in your backyard, so to speak. Fishing ponds for bass brings many of us back to our fishing roots. It makes us nostalgic and […]
I’m willing to bet that a peek into any angler’s tackle box is going to reveal something we all have in common: the spoon. Our fathers fished with them, our grandfathers fished with them, and our great-grandfathers fished with them. There’s a reason these lures have survived the test of time since their inception in […]
Post-spawn, and all summer and fall, largemouth bass will predominantly feed on minnows and shad. Present in huge numbers, they offer a plentiful, reliable food source that bass just can’t pass up. That’s one reason that lures that imitate small fish are so effective: they’re matching the hatch by mimicking a natural prey item that’s […]
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “bass”? “Smallmouth”? “Largemouth”? Maybe even “stripers”? Whatever area of the country you live in, you’re probably going to have a different answer. There’s a fish that’s rarely mentioned, though, and that’s the peacock bass. Why? Because for most anglers, they’re nothing more than […]
America’s love of fishing encompasses many species, but none are more popular than the largemouth and smallmouth bass. Widely present, tremendously aggressive, and always up for a hard fight, it’s easy to get addicted to bass fishing, whichever species you prefer. New anglers may be unsure about the differences between largemouth and smallmouth bass, where […]
Texas. The lone star state, where everything is bigger, including the bass. As the largest state in the continental U.S, it comes as no surprise that the estimated number of lakes and reservoirs in Texas is upwards of 7,000. Overwhelming, yes, but it’s worth taking a look, considering there’s a strong possibility of landing a […]
It’s amazing how many sport fish fly under the radar when it comes to being a great meal. The peacock bass is one of those fish. Eating peacock bass can be up for debate, especially in southern Florida, where many anglers believe they should be released to preserve their population, but whatever side of that […]
Winter: time to get the bass gear packed up and the boat winterized. Bass fishing is, after all, a warm water sport. Or is it? Maybe it’s not the most lucrative time of year to be chasing bass, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. In fact, with a huge drop in - or […]
As bass anglers, we all have boxes dedicated to the lures we know are going to catch us fish. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, poppers: the choices are endless. But what about the Whopper Plopper? While nothing new to the bass scene, it’s often a lure we see missing from our fellow bass angler’s tackle bags. As […]
When it comes to both recreational and professional angling, there’s no doubt that bass are the most popular species to catch. While it can be up for debate as to which bass is the most sought after, smallmouth bass rank high on that list. If you’ve targeted smallmouth bass, then there’s a good chance you […]
Eating smallmouth bass is a topic that carries with it some controversy. Whether you’re talking to a professional bass angler or a casual weekend fisherman, everyone is going to have an opinion. These opinions tend to fall on one side of the argument or the other, with little give or take. The simple answer to […]
Rock and warmouth bass look so much alike that it can be tough to tell them apart at a glance. Both species share red eyes, similar body shapes, big mouths, and unbroken dorsal fins. And even their scale coloration can be similar enough that, at a glance, it’s tough to tell which you’ve caught. But […]
Some of my most memorable days fishing were spent on a clear, rocky-bottomed river catching smallmouth bass. They’d race in to take my lure, hit it like a run-away freight train, and leap into the air, shaking their heads for all they were worth! It’s easy to understand the popularity of smallmouth bass, and pound […]
Largemouth bass are America’s favorite game fish, and spring, summer, and fall, they’re the passion of legions of anglers from Minnesota to Texas, Florida to California. But in states where the winter brings ice and snow, as well as temperatures low enough to enable hard water fishing, largemouth bass drop off the radar for the […]
If there’s one unspoken rule of bass fishing, it’s catch and release. We all love the sport, and for every angler I’ve ever met, that means we take care of bass to protect the future of fishing. If you want to kill a bass, this is a great way to start… I know you wince […]
Every fisherman I know has a preference about everything from fish finders, outboards, lines, hooks, rods, reels, and just about anything else you can imagine. I know guys who hate circle hooks and despise braid, and I’ve seen fights started about who makes the best boats. But if there’s one thing bass anglers everywhere can […]
The largemouth bass is America’s favorite species to catch, and there’s no more exciting way to do that than from a kayak. Close to the water is close to the action, and whether you choose to flip and pitch frogs into thick cover, twitch a worm along the bottom, or thump a spinner somewhere in […]
Filleting bass, whether we’re talking about smallmouth, largemouth, or stripers, is an easy, quick process if you know what you’re doing. In overpopulated fisheries, culling small bass like this will improve the size of the remaining fish. But everyone starts somewhere, and you may be unsure of how to turn your fresh fish into two […]
When the sky opens up and the rain really starts falling in sheets, savvy anglers know that the most aggressive bass turn on. Don’t let dark skies run you off the bass! A good storm offers a winning combination: highly oxygenated water, nutrient-rich runoff attracting baitfish, and higher water levels that drive bass to move. […]
As every hard-core largemouth angler knows, fishing at nighttime is the right time to catch big bass. Falling water temperatures trigger prey items like shad to move shallow as the sun sets. The frogs begin their evening songs in the lilies, big water bugs skate across the surface, and minnows swarm among the water grasses. […]
Can you eat bass? The short answer is yes. But be aware that keeping largemouth can be contentious, and most serious bass anglers frown on the practice, preferring catch and release. Related: Bass Fishing Tips, Types of Bass, Best Time To Fish For Bass Why Catch and Release Started Strict catch and release for bass […]
Hook sizing can be confusing, and for new anglers, there’s certainly a temptation to assume that big bass demand massive hooks. But an oversized hook is almost never a good idea, and from poor action to spooked fish and missed strikes, a hook that’s too large just won’t work very well. Too small isn’t good […]
Never underestimate using live bait for bass. You’re not going to see many live crawfish or shiners on the tournament circuit, but that’s not because they don’t work. In virtually every tournament, live bait is illegal, to say nothing of the endorsement issue! The truth is that live bait works as well or better than […]
As the days shorten and the air grows crisp, it’s a sign that magic is happening below the surface of your local lake. Fall is here, and as water temps plummet, largemouth shed the lethargy caused by the summer’s heat and begin feeding in earnest. For anglers in the know, fall can be the most […]
