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HOW TO CATCH BIG BASS
Fishing can be fun especially when the fish keep going for your bait and your basket gets fuller and fuller. But it gets frustrating when there is no fish to show off after hours of fishing. Some fish are easy to catch; basically, all you have to do is throw in the bait and maybe close your eyes, before you open your eyes, you have probably caught something. But with other kinds of fish, it's entirely different. You would most likely have closed and opened your eyes about twenty times before you got close to catching any fish.
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A big bass is one of such fish that require some sort of expertise to catch. It is not like the regular kind of fish you catch because you are bored and want to go fishing. No, it is a type of fishing in itself and you have to have a particular mindset to do it. Bass are a carnivorous freshwater fish that is generally native to eastern and central North America, Canada, United States, and Northern Mexico but they can also be introduced in other countries. One of the major reasons for its introduction in other countries is its popularity as a sports fish.
Common Mistakes Anglers make while trying to Catch A Big Bass
No matter how hard they try, many anglers still find it difficult to catch a big bass. Truth is, they probably are not doing something right and are having a hard time figuring what they are doing wrong. Because fishing for a big bass is not like the regular kind of fishing, you
should not expect to use the same technique and expect it to work with a big bass. So, if you have been trying consistently to catch a big bass to no avail, then, you are probably making one of the mistakes listed below:
Noise levels: If you are trying to have dinner and you suddenly hear a sound like someone trying to break into your house, the last thing that would be on your mind would be the food you were about to eat just a minute ago; it does not matter how hungry you were. It is the same way with the bass. When they hear you're trolling motor or when they hear you discussing, they would be alarmed and eating would be one of the last things on their minds. There is a reason they are called "big bass", they are no longer as naive as they used to be when they were much smaller. So, they must have gotten familiar with the sound of a trolling motor which they would have associated with harm. Hence, the chances of catching them once they have heard you are very slim. To avoid this, you should
1. Only use your trolling motor at low speed: So as not to kill your chances of catching a big bass even before you start, put your trolling motor
on low speed. This will ensure that you stay as quiet as possible and will prevent the big bass from hiding.
2. Keep voice levels down: There is a high chance that you would feel like talking especially when you are fishing with someone but you should try to keep your voice down. You do not want to scare the big bass away. Even after you have caught a big bass, it is important you still keep your voice down. You can scream all you want as soon as you get off the lake.
3. Avoid driving your motor over the fishing spot: If you make the mistake of driving your motor directly on the spot you intend to fish for big bass, it is as good as not making the trip at all as you just killed your chances of getting a big bass. Once, your motor is on top of the fishing spot, it will not only get sighted by the big bass, it would also serve as a warning signal to them.
Ignoring the conditions: There is a tendency for you as an angler to want to fish for bass in the same pattern you fished for it the last time. So, you decide to move to the same lake you caught the last big bass, tie on the same lure that worked the last time, cast in the same direction, and retrieve the lure the same way you did the last time. You forget to take note of how different the weather is from the last time you came fishing. You ignore the fact that the weather the last time was 15 degrees warmer, the breeze was only a light breeze from the south, and that it was a different month. To avoid making this mistake, you have to start creating multiple habits that are dependent on the water temperature. Create spring habits, create summer habits. Understand that bass move in response to
weather changes. Warming trends bring them shallow while they go deep when it is cold. Learn to adapt to these conditions as they change throughout the day, week, month, and season.
Not reading the water: Not studying the water enough before fishing for bass is another mistake anglers make. Water features such as current breaks, inlet streams, old riverbeds, eddies, rock humps, flooded timber, and all the other fish-holding spots on rivers and lakes should not only be identifiable to anglers but should also be paid close attention to. Failure to do this can result in hours of fishing for bass with nothing to show for it.
Ignoring what bass eat: Another mistake that can be made by one who intends to catch big bass is ignoring what a big bass would like to eat. When you fail to study the kind of food bass eat, how would you intend to catch one?
Ignoring the gear check: Ignoring the gear check is yet another mistake anglers make in their quest for big bass. It is unwise to think that because the rods and reels worked perfectly the last time, they are going to do just
fine this time around. You have may have failed to take into consideration the differences between the last time you fished and now. You may have ignored the fact that the last time was on a windy fall day with dust and grit blowing into every crack and crevice and that the fishing gear was just stored in a boat over the winter. So, if it is used the same way without some necessary procedures, you might end up being disappointed in water. To avoid any sort of disappointment, it is only wise for you to check the gear, clean and lubricate the reels properly. Confirm that there are no nicks and abrasions on the lines, if there are any, cut off the damaged part or replace it completely.
Failing to perform the necessary pre-launch boat check: Yes! Everyone knows how great of an angler you are. I mean, you have been doing this for ages. But still, how can you leave without a simple pre-launch boat check?
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There is a reason pilots perform a pre-launch before heading into the sky. It does not matter if they have been flying a plane for ages or just started. You should also perform your pre-launch boat check to be alerted about the problems that need fixing before you end up being stranded on the water in your quest for big bass.
Lack of practice: The saying, 'practice makes perfect' is not just merely a saying. It is a fact. No one becomes better at what they do with a lack of practice. This is a mistake many anglers make; failure to keep practicing. There is always room to become a better caster than you were the last time so, you have to take steps towards achieving this. You need to teach yourself how to cast with your non-dominant hand while also learning how to drop the lure or bait softly into the water. The best place for learning all these is at home because once you get on the water, your attention is more focused on catching a big bass than actually improving your casting skill.
Not paying attention: This is a common mistake among anglers. There is a tendency to lose concentration and not pay attention to little details that can be instrumental in catching a big bass. When there is a lack of adequate attention, you would be surprised at how easily you lose opportunities to catch a big bass as some of the biggest clues to successfully catching a big bass can be picked up by simple observation. It is important to take in all the sounds and sights presented while on the water as this could give you just that clue
that you need to catch a really big bass.
Important Tips for catching Big Bass
The emphasis on a big bass not being in the same league as other fishes cannot be emphasized enough. It is what it is; catching a big bass is no child's play and it requires as many helpful tips as possible. Below are some great tips that would no doubt be instrumental the next time you intend to fish for a really big bass:
The right attitude: When you are aiming for something big, you have to aim with the right attitude - the attitude that indeed says you want something big. You do not expect to achieve something great when your attitude already signifies that you do not see yourself achieving such. in the same vein, in your hunt for a really big bass, you have to possess the attitude of someone who wants to catch one. what does this mean? You need to be patient; oh! You need a whole lot of patience. I know it is a virtue but you still need as much as you can get because a really big bass is not the kind of fish that would just show up simply because you want it to. In other words, you should not get bored by not catching a big one soon enough. remember, it is a really big bass you want not a small one, so do not be distracted by others who keep catching ten to fifteen small bass in a
day. You know what you want and you are getting it with nothing short of the right attitude.
Location: You cannot go looking for bread at the barber's shop, so, you do not want to go looking for really big bass in areas you will never find one. In any water, the major prerequisite for catching a really big one includes cover, structure, and proximity to deep water. There are still even some variations to this. for instance, if you are fishing for a big bass in natural lakes, the type of cover would be some kind of aquatic plant or fallen tree along the shore. If it is in impoundments, then the type of cover would be brush and timber. Suitable structures can be an underwater point, a hump, an old roadbed, the edges of a creek channel, or some other bottom irregularity. This is not to imply that a big bass can only be caught in this kind of location. Some of these features can attract small bass as well, so the location you eventually decide on must be somewhere a big bass is likely to visit or even live; and this is most likely a place that is quite close to deeper water.
Timing: Here is another major determinant in the catching of a big bass. Spring is considered a perfect time of the season to catch a big bass because it is defined by warming waters and by pre-spawn or spawning activities. Another reason Spring is considered a great time for catching a big bass is because it is the time when the greatest number of big bass are likely to stay in shallow waters, hence, are easily accessible. However, in North America, fishing for bass is not allowed in every state or province. In such places, bass can only be fished for in late spring, summer and fall. This does not in any way mean that it would not be possible to catch bass in such instances. Some residents of Florida claim that bass is just as likely or even more likely to be caught in the stable weather of summer than spring.
Time of Day: There have been some arguments as to whether or not the time of day determines if one catches a big bass or not. Well, for the time of day to be a factor, water temperature, light intensity, and human activity all come into play. Also, the time of the day is dependent on the season as there is a different suitable time of the day for spring and summer. Most human activities on the water are known to occur during the day. Also, the water warms up throughout the day in spring. Whereas, there are long hours of the intense overhead light. Hence, there is a better chance of catching a big bass during periods of low light in summer and a better chance of catching big bass in the afternoon during spring.
Lures and Baits: You do not want to fish for bass without the right bait. That could become very frustrating. To catch a big bass, most fishermen use big lures but this does not in any way mean that small lures cannot be used to catch a big bass. As long as they are properly used in the right locations, small or big lures can be used to catch a big bass. Still, some of the best baits used in catching a big bass include soft worms, jigs, surface plugs partly because they can all be fished slowly and big bass are also not sprinters but rather muggers. Some fishermen do not like the idea of fishing live baits for bass mainly because these baits may hook the bass deeply and the result can be fatal. Nonetheless, some live baits such as crayfish in California and shiners in Florida have been instrumental in the catching of really big bass.
Landing savvy: What is the point of going all the way to catching a big bass, choosing the right location, having the right attitude, fishing at the right time with the right bait if you are going to end up losing the fish after you have caught it. To avoid this, you have to be well prepared. Ensure that your hooks are sharp and that that the knots are perfectly tied. Also, ensure that you use nothing but the right rod for the circumstances and be ready to outmuscle the big bass when it is time to bring it out of the water.
Equipment Hacks: Every angler should know one or two equipment hacks when it comes to catching a big bass.
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Your line has to be prepared the right way. You have to ensure that it is stored out of direct sunlight, well lubricated and that the knots are tied well. You also have to learn and understand how to set the proper drag based on the fish you are trying to catch, in this case, a big bass.
Slow it down: This is one of the best bass fishing tips; taking it slowly. You have to understand that that the bass is big which means they are not as fast and they also keep themselves in control in the water. Hence, they can decide to ignore some feeding opportunities that come their way while patiently waiting for that which they consider the right opportunity. Hence, you as the angler have to take note of this important detail. This should make you deliberate about staying away from fast-moving baits like spinners and opt for slower and more in-control options like heavy jigs. With this, you would be able to slow down your presentation and give them more time to decide what to do.
THE RIGHT BAITS FOR CATCHING BIG BASS
No matter how great an angler is, there is still the need for a bit, especially the right one. Although typically any kind of lure can be used to catch a big bass, there is no doubt that there are still certain lures that would see them biting more frequently.
Knowing the right kind of lure to use for a big bass is quite a task because a big bass is not as naive as the small ones; they have seen the same kind of lure pass them year after year. So, it is obvious that catching big bass with lures requires some creativity at your end.
'So, what are the best big bass lures?', you might want to ask. Well, the best big bass lures are the ones that are either thrown less often because of the level of expertise required to throw them or those that cause a reaction strike and/or those that have a bigger profile.
Below is a list of lures that has one or more of the aforementioned advantages:
Jigs: One of the major reasons jigs are great lures for big bass is their ability to gain
access almost everywhere because of how weedless they are. It is common for big bass to move to spots that are inaccessible to anglers but this is not much of a worry as jigs would easily gain access to such areas.
Swimbaits: It makes sense to believe that big baits will catch big fish and indeed this is accurate at least with swimbaits. Swimbaits have proven to be extremely reliable in the catching of big bass. Because swimbaits are designed to swim, they are best utilized in areas where big bass will come in contact with large prey fish in a natural setting such as areas with humps, ledges, deep weed lines, and points. Anglers have resorted to using swimbaits a lot to catch big bass and it has now been a practice for some to throw only swimbaits. However, not all anglers can use swimbaits as they weigh from two to as much as three ounces and require the use of a heavy-duty swimbait rod.
Buzzbaits: Buzzbait is another great lure for a big bass. Interestingly, it does not require any special expertise and as such, some refer to it as the easiest way to catch big bass. However, there is still the need for the right conditions. Because buzzbait is a topwater lure, it is very effective in low-light conditions. Hence, its effectiveness is increased when it is used very early in the morning and late at night. Another great condition for buzzbait
is when there is a light chop on the water surface. Since the conditions for usage of a buzzbait are limited, anglers do not throw it into the water very often which in turn means that buzzbaits are not seen by big bass often, therefore bass do not have any reason to think that a buzzbait is a lure for them. Even aside from this, there is just something about a buzzbait that gets a big bass to bite.
Punch Rigs: It is common for extremely big bass to hide under thick matted vegetation. This is considered one of the best hiding spots for a big bass. The only way a bait can get to these big bass is by punching the vegetation with a punch rig. When the bait crashes through the top of the mat and gets to the bottom, a reaction strike is triggered. When this happens, the last thing the big bass does is to investigate the bait. They just react immediately by attacking it. Although this is a perfect way to fool an older and wiser bass, it requires great expertise as well as a good punching rod.
CONCLUSION
Not only is it amazing that the catching of a particular fish would require so much work and expertise, but it also goes a long way to show that there is nothing that does not require some level of hard work to achieve. One would think that fishing should just be a sort of avenue to relax and have some fun but when it comes to catching a big bass, there is much more to it.
Furthermore, bass fishing is not something that is done simply because you want to kill time, nor is it something you opt for out of boredom; it is a kind of fishing you just fall in love with and can't stop doing. Unlike other fish, bass opens up a lot of opportunities and allows you to fish for them in several ways so that it never really gets old. Don't forget to read our next article on "How to Catch Bass in Cold Water"
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