Though tackle and all related items should be carefully worked out, nothing is more vital than your techniques for locating bass. Once you know approximately where to fish, it's time to decide on technique; having chosen the best type of natural or artificial bait for the depth, type of bottom cover, geographical location and known preferences of the local bass population. Assuming that you are now on your way to a bass hideaway, or are stationed along a probable route leading to and from such a hotspot, which methods will best utilize your lure or natural bait?
BOTTOM BOUNCING
This can be done while casting or while slowly drifting or trolling over a place you suspect is a hotspot. The myriad of various bucktails or Marabou jigs are great for bottom bouncing, and so are plastic worms. The models featuring lead heads are fine for deep fishing; lures of this type are deadly in big water. Fish these lures or any of the special deep working plugs and spoons paying out line until you hit bottom; then move along slow and easy, thoroughly exploring a given area by covering it in a zigzag pattern and actually feeling the depth. If using a deep-diving lure, many anglers attach a sinker a couple of feet ahead of the lure and let this weight, rather than the bait itself, bounce along the bottom. When you get a strike by this method, mark the location and try there again. You'll have an excellent chance of finding more bass in the same spot.
JIGGING
This highly effective method calls for the angler to lower his lure either to the bottom or to a specific depth, then jerk it upward smartly, constantly repeating the procedure. The technique accounts for many large bass in the big impoundments. The strike usually comes as the rod tip is swept upwards.
TROLLING
Your speed of movement, type of lure or bait and choice of weights or wire line, all help determine whether the bait is down where it will pay off. Most trollers work far short of the depth at which they really wish to fish or think they are fishing. Fish in a sanctuary will rarely move up more than a few feet to chase or strike a bait or an artificial lure. Deep digging lures like Rapalas or Rebels, with the extended lip, have proved to be the best lures for working such concentrations of big bass. Whatever bait you choose, get it plenty deep.
LIVE-LINING
Live-lining is often used effectively on bass rivers or where a tidal flow holds brackish water bass; live-lining works the bait out over an extended area. The bait is drifted back from an anchored boat so that holes and deep channels are methodically explored. Weights are sometimes used for live-lining fast smallmouth bass rivers.
STILL FISHING
With natural baits this method can be deadly. Minnows or other baits should simply be worked into a bass concentration at the correct depth.
BOTTOM BOUNCING
This can be done while casting or while slowly drifting or trolling over a place you suspect is a hotspot. The myriad of various bucktails or Marabou jigs are great for bottom bouncing, and so are plastic worms. The models featuring lead heads are fine for deep fishing; lures of this type are deadly in big water. Fish these lures or any of the special deep working plugs and spoons paying out line until you hit bottom; then move along slow and easy, thoroughly exploring a given area by covering it in a zigzag pattern and actually feeling the depth. If using a deep-diving lure, many anglers attach a sinker a couple of feet ahead of the lure and let this weight, rather than the bait itself, bounce along the bottom. When you get a strike by this method, mark the location and try there again. You'll have an excellent chance of finding more bass in the same spot.
JIGGING
This highly effective method calls for the angler to lower his lure either to the bottom or to a specific depth, then jerk it upward smartly, constantly repeating the procedure. The technique accounts for many large bass in the big impoundments. The strike usually comes as the rod tip is swept upwards.
TROLLING
Your speed of movement, type of lure or bait and choice of weights or wire line, all help determine whether the bait is down where it will pay off. Most trollers work far short of the depth at which they really wish to fish or think they are fishing. Fish in a sanctuary will rarely move up more than a few feet to chase or strike a bait or an artificial lure. Deep digging lures like Rapalas or Rebels, with the extended lip, have proved to be the best lures for working such concentrations of big bass. Whatever bait you choose, get it plenty deep.
LIVE-LINING
Live-lining is often used effectively on bass rivers or where a tidal flow holds brackish water bass; live-lining works the bait out over an extended area. The bait is drifted back from an anchored boat so that holes and deep channels are methodically explored. Weights are sometimes used for live-lining fast smallmouth bass rivers.
STILL FISHING
With natural baits this method can be deadly. Minnows or other baits should simply be worked into a bass concentration at the correct depth.