How To Catch Bass: A Comprehensive Beginners Guide

Bass fishing is more than just a pass time. For many, its a way of life! The process of learning new lures, techniques, seasonal changes – these are the things I love about the sport. But learning how to fish for bass can be challenging when you’re new. The vast amount of lures and rod types, techniques and fish behaviors can be overwhelming to anyone loooking to sling for the first time. In this article I’ll break down the fundamentals of bass fishing and provide a step by step guide for anyone looking to thrown their first fish in the boat!

Spinning Gear Vs. Bait Caster

Fishing gear can seem overwhelming at first, but understanding the differences between different types of reels is essential for selecting the right equipment for your needs. Among the most popular reels in the world of fishing are baitcasting reels and spinning reels. Both have their strengths, limitations, and preferred applications, and learning the difference between them can make all the difference in your fishing success.

Spinning Gear

A spinning reel, on the other hand, is designed with a fixed spool that remains stationary during the cast. The line is released from the spool through a small guide, usually located near the bail. This design is easier to use, making spinning reels ideal for beginners or anglers who prefer simplicity. Spinning gear is used when fishing finesse lures like a drop shot, ned rig, or small jerkbaits and crankbaits. Having lighter gear allows for better action as well as. further casting distance.

Bait Caster

A baitcasting reel is designed with a revolving spool that sits on top of the rod. The line is fed directly off the spool when casting. Unlike spinning reels, which use a fixed spool, the spool on a baitcaster moves, allowing for better control of line and casting distance. This is why baitcasters are often favored for more experienced anglers who have the skill to handle the learning curve. Anglers can make technical casts such as flipping and pitching as well as skipping under docks.

Fishing Line: For most bass fishing, a 10-15 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line works well. Fluorocarbon is less visible underwater, making it a good choice for clear waters.

Understanding Bass Behavior

There are two common sub species of largemouth bass in North America – the Northern and Florida strain. Both are popular sport fish and commonly targeted with the techniques youll learn in this article. Spotted bass are also  popular with slightly different seasonal behavior. For the sake of time and simplicity, I’ll stick to large mouth and spotted bass, but other species include Smallmouth bass and the Temperate bass family such as White Bass and Striped Bass.

Bass are warm water fish. They thrive in big reservoirs, swamps, ponds, lakes, streams, river and delta systems, backwaters, and even drainage ditches. They are highly tuned predators that use developed senorey perception to hunt and kill their prey, using a specialized ‘lateral line’ down the center of their body to detect vibration. Other important factors include;

• Temperature: Bass are cold-blooded, and water temperature plays a major role in their activity levels. They tend to be more active during warmer months (60-75°F for largemouth bass), but they also feed heavily in the cooler months, especially before and after spawning.

• Structure and Cover: Bass love structures like rocks, submerged logs, weed beds, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Focus on fishing near these areas, especially in the early morning or late evening when bass are most active.

• Seasonal Patterns: Bass behavior changes throughout the year. In the spring, bass move toward shallow waters to spawn. In the summer, they retreat to deeper, cooler waters. During fall and winter, bass tend to be sluggish but still feed periodically.

What Do Bass Eat?

Bass are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of prey such as smaller fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, and small mammals. All of these prey items can be imitated with specialized lures. As the seasons change, bass will target different prey items. For example, as spring approaches and bass prepare to spawn, they will target smaller fish and crayfish. As water temperatures begin rising, they’ll target top water movement and off- shore prey in deeper water. This provides anglers with year-round opportunity to target these fish with a variety of lures and techniques.

Fishing The Seasons

One of the most crucial components of becoming a bass angler is understanding seasonal transitions. This will allow you to target the right time, location, and use the correct lures and techniques.

Spring 

As days become longer and water temperatures rise, bass will begin moving toward shallow water to spawn. Target shallow water with hard bottom like gravel and rock if your starting out. This is the time of year you can “sight-fish” for bass meaning you can see them. Check your local fishing regulations before fishing for spawning bass.

Summer 

Bass will begin heading to deeper water in summer and some will remain up-shallow. The ones that stay up-shallow will orient to hiding and ambush locations such as sharp points made of grass or rock, boat docks, fallen trees, etc.

Fall 

Bass  begin goring on smaller fish like shad in preparation for winter. They will push up to the bank and coral bait fish into pockets and inlets where they can pick them off.

Winter 

As temperatures lower, bass slow their metabolisms and pull out to deeper water, typically on hard bottoms, where they’ll stay all winter.

Bass Fishing Lures for Beginners

Understanding lures is imperative when learning how to catch bass. Each lure presents a different prey item with unique movement, and some can be fished year round, while others are more seasonally specific. Bass will key in on specific colors and movements depending on forage and time of year. I’ll break it down into categories.

Top Water Bass Lures

Top water lures are designed to move across the surface, immitating prey such as frogs, bait fish, and small mammals. These lures come in a variety of sizes and colors. The top water bite is one of the funnest bass bites an angler can seek.

Top water lures  include:

Poppers

These lures have a concave face that creates a popping sound when you twitch them. They mimic prey struggling on the surface, drawing attention from bass. Poppers are best in calm to slightly choppy water and often used in early mornings or late evenings when fish are close to the surface.

Walkers

These lures move side-to-side in a “walking” motion when you twitch the rod tip. They mimic a wounded or fleeing baitfish and are best in shallow water with a lot of cover. They’re great for covering large areas quickly.

Buzzbaits

These lures have a rotating blade on the front that creates a buzzing sound on the water’s surface. The vibration can trigger aggressive strikes. Buzzbaits are best in murky water or when you want to cover large areas. They are effective during the day, especially in warmer weather.

Frogs

Frogs are designed to look like a frog, they are often soft-bodied and have legs that kick as they are retrieved. Some have popping or walking actions and are best when Fished  over thick vegetation, like lily pads or grass. Frogs excel in heavy cover.

Skimmers/Spooks:

These are long, slim lures that glide across the surface, mimicking an injured or scared baitfish. They’re typically worked with a “walk-the-dog” technique. Anglers often fish them in open water or when fish are actively chasing baitfish near the surface.

Ploppers (Prop Baits)

These lures have a propeller-like tail that churns water as you reel them in. This creates a distinctive splashing noise that attracts bass. Best fished over submerged structures or open water, especially in low-light conditions.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are designed to swim at different depths and mimic smaller fish. They have a hard body and a lip that helps them dive when retrieved. They’re best for covering large areas of water quickly, and effective in both clear and murky water. They excel in spring and fall when bass are chasing baitfish. The three main types are shallow running, medium diving, and deep diving.

Shallow Running: These lures imitate the movement of small baitfish or other prey that bass actively target, making them highly effective in enticing strikes. Their vibrant colors, rattling internal mechanisms, and realistic swimming actions mimic the characteristics of a distressed or fleeing baitfish, which bass find irresistible.

Medium Diving Crank Baits: As the name implies, medium diving crankbaits are designed to dive to a moderate depth in the water when retrieved. Typically, these lures will reach depths of 6 to 10 feet, although the exact depth can vary depending on the model, design, and retrieve speed. Spring is a great time to  use a medium running lure to find fish.

Deep Diving Crankbaits: As the name suggests, these baits are best suided for depths ranging from 12 -20 ft and are perfect for seasonal patterns, simulating natural prey, and reaching fish that are oriented to deep structure. Deep crank bait fishing was made popular by pro anglers like Kevin Vandam and for good reason, its a great way to big bass.

Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits can generally be categorized into two main types: suspending and floating. Each type offers distinct advantages depending on the conditions you are fishing in.

Suspending Jerkbaits

Suspended jerkbaits are designed to remain at a consistent depth in the water column once they are paused. They typically have a balanced weight system that allows them to float or stay neutral in the water, creating a subtle, enticing motion when jerked. This type of jerkbait is ideal for fishing in cooler waters or when fish are not actively chasing prey at the surface.  They’re best for cold water, deeper depths, and more passive fish behavior.

Floating Jerkbaits

Floating jerkbaits rise to the surface when not being jerked or retrieved, making them ideal for shallower waters and surface strikes. Anglers typically use them when fishing for fish near the top or when targeting fish in warm, active conditions. These are best for shallow waters, warmer weather, and aggressive fish behavior. Floating and suspending jerkbaits are effective when targeting suspended fish.

Diving Jerkbaits

These jerkbaits are designed to dive and reach deeper depths. They are ideal when you need to cover a larger vertical water column and target fish that are holding deeper. The diving action is more pronounced, and you can reach various depths by adjusting your retrieve speed. Diving jerkbaits are best for deeper waters and when fish are suspended or closer to the bottom.

Swim Baits

Swimbaits are a type of fishing lure designed to mimic the natural swimming motion of baitfish. These lures typically feature a soft or hard body and are shaped to resemble the profile of a small fish or other aquatic creatures. The main appeal of swimbaits lies in their realistic movement when retrieved, which closely mirrors that of a live fish, making them incredibly effective for attracting predatory species like bass, pike, and musky. Swimbaits come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs, from jointed models that create a lifelike wobbling action to solid-bodied versions that provide a smooth, steady swim. Whether fished with a slow, steady retrieve or a more aggressive, erratic action, swimbaits are versatile and can be used in various water conditions to imitate a range of prey species.

There are two main types of swimbaits: boot tail and wedge tail. 

Boot tails have a wider tail swing and are best used when bass are more active. Wedge tails are designed to create a thumping action through the water. These lures are best for colder water when bass are less active. However, these are more guidelines than hard rules. Anglers will often target big bass with large swim baits that resemble natural forage like rainbow trout and shad.

Glide Baits 

When it comes to targeting trophy bass, few lures can rival the effectiveness of glide baits. These specialized lures have gained a reputation among serious anglers for their ability to entice big bass and produce strikes that other lures simply can’t match. With their unique swimming action and lifelike appearance, glide baits are a must-have in the tackle box for those looking to catch larger, more elusive bass.

Jigs

Jigs resemble slow moving crawfish and baitfish. They are designed with a weighted head with a jig hook and a silicon skirt with a range of colors to resemble natural forage. These lures are mostly fished at the bottom and can be dragged, hopped, or left still. Jigs tend to catch big bass when flipped around vegetation and off shore on main lake points. The main types of Jigs are:

Football Jig: Has a specialized head designed to slide over rocks and gravel. These are good for catching bass in deeper water.

Flipping / Pitching: Flipping jigs are effective when bass are in shallow water. They’re designed with a specialized head for slipping in and out of shallow water cover like grass and wood.

 

Heavy: Heavy jigs are designed with a tougher weed guard and larger hook. This allows the angler to flip it into heavy cover on heavy braided line.

Swim Jigs: Similar to a regular jig, swim jigs are built with a weighted head with a jig hook, weed guard, and silicone skirt. These jigs are designed to be swam through cover while imitating a small fish like a bluegill or shad.

Creature Baits

Creature baits are a type of soft plastic fishing lure designed to mimic the appearance of various aquatic creatures, such as crawfish, insects, or small baitfish.

Some common types of creature baits include:

• Crawfish imitators: Often designed with claws and segmented bodies.
• Insect-like creatures: With legs or wings that mimic small aquatic insects or larvae.
• General prey: Baits designed to resemble a variety of smaller aquatic creatures that fish might feed on.

Methods of rigging a creature bait include texas rigging, Carolina rig, ned rigging, and using it as a trailer on a chatterbait or swim jig. These rigs can be fished along the bottom slowly or hopped quickly depending on the season. These lures are usually designed to work well in cover like rocks, weeds, or brush piles, making them ideal for fishing in areas where fish are hiding.

Spinner Baits

A spinnerbait is a type of fishing lure designed to mimic the movement and flash of baitfish, making it an effective lure for attracting predatory fish like bass. It consists of a wire frame with one or more spinning blades, typically a Colorado blade (wide and round) or a Willow blade (long and narrow), attached to the wire. These blades spin as the bait is retrieved through the water, creating vibrations and flashes that simulate the movement of baitfish or other prey.

Chatter Baits

Chatterbaits, also known as vibrating jigs, have gained immense popularity among anglers, particularly bass fishermen, for their ability to mimic distressed prey and provoke aggressive strikes. With their unique design and action, chatterbaits offer a distinct advantage over traditional lures, making them a must-have in many anglers’ tackle boxes.

Finesse Fishing

Finesse fishing for bass is a subtle and precise technique that focuses on using light tackle, small baits, and slow presentations to target bass, particularly in tough conditions where fish are less aggressive. This method often involves using spinning rods paired with ultra-light or light lines, small jigs, soft plastics, or finesse worms. The goal is to entice bass that are more wary or inactive, typically during post-spawn, colder months, or in heavily pressured waters.

Drop Shot Fishing

Fishing with a drop shot is a highly effective technique for targeting bass, especially when they’re holding near the bottom or in deeper water. The setup involves tying a hook to the mainline, with a loop knot that keeps the hook suspended above a weight at the end of the line. This presentation allows anglers to fish with precision, keeping the bait off the bottom while maintaining excellent sensitivity to detect even the slightest bite.

Soft plastic baits such as worms, minnows, or creatures are commonly used, and they’re often rigged nose-hooked to ensure they have natural, subtle movement. The drop shot is particularly useful in clear or pressured waters, where bass may be more finicky, as it allows for a slow, deliberate presentation that entices even the most cautious fish. It’s versatile enough to be fished in a variety of conditions, from deep reservoirs to shallow cover, making it a popular choice among bass anglers year-round.

Soft Plastic Worms

Soft plastic worms are a must-have tool in any bass angler’s tackle box. Their versatility in rigging, combined with their realistic presentation, makes them one of the most effective lures for bass fishing. Whether you’re fishing in a lake, river, or reservoir, soft plastic worms provide an excellent option for attracting and catching bass all year long.

Rigging Soft Plastic Worms

• Texas Rig: A weedless rigging style where the worm is threaded onto a hook and the hook point is buried in the body of the worm. This rig is ideal for fishing in heavy cover like grass or submerged structures.

• Carolina Rig: A technique where a soft plastic worm is rigged with a weight placed ahead of the worm, offering longer casting distance and the ability to fish deeper waters.

• Wacky Rig: The worm is hooked in the middle, with both ends dangling freely. This rig is especially effective in shallow waters or when bass are active and chasing after a moving lure.

How To Know The Right Time To Fish

Early morning and evening are generally good times to bass fish. Some anglers will use apps like Fishing Times and FishBrain to know the best times based on the lunar phase.  However, sunlight is a huge factor – too much can deter fish. I like fishing early evening as it gives me time to scope out good spots ie fallen trees, brush piles. As light diminishes, bass become more active and will move around and target baitfish.

Spring Fishing 

This is a perfect time to fish chatter baits, crank baits and swim baits, as bass will be moving up shallow and feeding on bait fish and crawfish.Target shallow water and keep your eyes open for spawning bass. Females will guard eggs and fry while males will stand guard nearby.

Summer

Summer is when many young anglers learn how to catch bass as they will stay shallow, while others will head to deeper water. You can target up shallow bass with creature baits, worms, and shallow running crankbaits. Offshore bass can be caught on deep diving crankbaits, football jigs, and deep diving jerkbaits.

Fall

Fish closer to the bank. This is the time of year when bass will chase small fish like shad and bluegill and coral the into coves and back bays. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swim baits, and jerk baits to target them. Plan on moving a lot as bass will be on the move, too.

Winter

Most species of fish will slow down in winter. Bass will pull off shore and head to deeper water where theyll sit on hard structure. During this time, they’ll feed less and rarely move or chase down bait. In some cases, bass will move up shallow on warm days to be closer to sunlight. Use deep diving crank baits, A-Rigs, and Jigs to reach them and prepare to wait!

Understanding the seasonal changes will give you an advantage of knowing what lure to use and when.

Pond Fishing 101

For many, bass fishing begins at the local pond. Ponds are a great place to practice your skills, test out new lures, and learn how to catch bass.  This is where I first began fishing as a kid and haven’t stopped. With a smaller and often more confined environment, selecting the right lures can make all the difference in your success. Bass in ponds are typically more cautious and often more selective about what they strike, making the choice of lure crucial. Here are some of the best lures to use when pond fishing for bass.

1. Topwater Lures

Topwater lures, such as frogs, poppers, and buzzbaits, are highly effective when bass are feeding near the surface. These lures create a disturbance on the water’s surface, drawing in curious bass. Early mornings and late evenings, when the water is cooler and bass are actively hunting, are prime times for topwater fishing. In ponds with lily pads or submerged cover, a frog-style topwater lure can be especially effective, mimicking the movement of prey like frogs or small fish.

2. Jigs

Jigs are a versatile and effective lure for bass in ponds, especially when targeting larger fish hiding near the bottom. The heavy weight of the jig allows it to reach deeper water and drag along the bottom, attracting bass that are feeding on crawfish or other bottom-dwelling prey. Pairing a jig with a soft plastic trailer, such as a creature bait or grub, can increase its effectiveness. When fishing in muddy or rocky ponds, jigs are a great choice to target bass lurking in the structure.

3. Soft Plastic Worms

Soft plastic worms are a go-to option for pond bass fishing. Their versatility and ability to mimic the natural movements of worms make them irresistible to bass, especially in the warmer months when bass are more active. The best way to rig these worms is with a Texas or Carolina rig, depending on the pond’s bottom structure. In shallow ponds with heavy vegetation, a Texas rig offers a weedless presentation that bass can’t resist. Common colors like green pumpkin, watermelon, and purple are ideal for clear water, while brighter colors like chartreuse work well in murky or stained waters.