Bass fishing for beginners – A Fishing Fool Article ™

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I am told that I started fishing when I was around 2 years old and caught my first bass soon after that. I grew up bass fishing in and around Lake Okeechobee in south Florida. While most kids my age were waking up to Saturday morning cartoons I was screaming across some lake in a boat heading for the “honey hole”, it was great!

I was fortunate that both my dad and grandfather fished, so I always had someone to take me. Nowadays, I try to pass along the knowledge of bass fishing that I have accumulated over the years and hopefully keep the cycle going with future generations.

Why Bass fishing?
Well, in a single word I would have to say “excitement”. I have fished for almost every species that North America has to offer (except for that ice fishing thing) and pound for pound NOTHING FIGHTS LIKE A BASS!

It may take a while before you hook your first “lunker” but when you do, you will understand. I was 15 before I caught my first bass over 10 lbs, but I remember it very well still today.

Bass fishing is fairly cheap to get started with and it can be done in almost every state we have.

The current world record Largemouth Bass is 22.4 lbs and has been the record since 1932.

Where do you find Largemouth Bass?
Originally found south of the great lakes and east of the Mississippi, they have spread throughout the United States, Hawaii, Southern Canada, and most of Mexico. They have also been introduced into Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. Largemouth Bass occupy most freshwater rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, pits & quarries, and even some drainage ditches in neighborhoods. If you know of some freshwater nearby, there is a good chance that there is a Largemouth Bass in it.

Your best bet is to start very early in the day or late in the afternoon. Largemouth Bass tend to avoid direct bright sunlight and most fish are caught when the light is low or when the sky is overcast. Look for man-made or natural structure. Look for a dock, a tree, a branch, a rock, a point of land on a mostly straight bank. Anything that stands out as something different will usually hold fish. If you are fishing a cow pasture look for the place where the cows come down to drink or get in the water. A lot of times that area will hold a few fish. Docks are also a great place to find bass. Just look for anything that will give small baitfish a place to hide or that will provide some shade for the bass to rest in and you will be off to a good start.

What tackle do you need for Bass fishing?
I would start with a light to med-light rod with 8 to 15 lbs line on a spinning reel. I am a bit “old school” and still prefer monofilament line as opposed to the new braided lines. If you know how to use a bait casting reel then you will probably want to use that.

Live bait will probably be the fastest way to catch your first bass but grab a bag of plastic worms and give them a try. Start with a grape color or something natural looking for your area and remember to be patient. When he hits it all you will probably feel is “tap-tap”, not much but when you set the hook it will get interesting.

After you catch a few try some other baits and techniques. Catching bass on top water lures is one of the most exciting things you will experience in fishing, but they don’t always hit top water…so keep trying new things.

If you want to learn more about bass fishing join a local fishing club and try to fish with more experienced anglers. Use the internet to find more articles, read B.A.S.S magazine and other publications on bass fishing. Just remember to have fun and be courteous of other anglers.

Thanks for reading!
Fool

Please practice catch and release whenever possible and remember the large fish don’t taste any better than smaller ones. Take a picture and let the big ones go back to catch again later.