Bass fishing has more techniques than almost any other freshwater pursuit. Here are fundamentals that work across conditions and seasons.
Cover Is Key
Bass are ambush predators. They relate to cover – docks, laydowns, grass, rocks. Cast to visible targets rather than open water. If you can see something that could hold a bass, it probably does.
Seasonal Movements
Spring pushes bass shallow for spawning. Summer sends them deep or into heavy cover. Fall triggers feeding frenzies as baitfish migrate. Winter slows everything down. Know where fish should be each season.
Soft Plastics
Texas-rigged worms and creature baits are bass fishing’s most versatile tools. Weedless, cheap, effective. Drag them along bottom, swim them through grass, flip them into heavy cover. One technique covers many situations.
Topwater Thrills
Nothing beats a surface strike. Early morning and late evening are prime topwater times. Frogs, poppers, walking baits, buzzbaits – each has its application. Low light and calm water favor topwater success.
Crankbaits Cover Water
When you need to find fish fast, crankbaits are efficient search baits. Match diving depth to the structure you’re targeting. Deflecting off cover triggers reaction strikes. Make contact with bottom or wood.
Jig Fishing
A jig imitates crawfish – a bass staple. Effective year-round but especially in colder water. Pitch to cover, let it fall, hop it along bottom. Heavy cover requires heavy jigs and strong line.
Match Conditions
Clear water calls for natural colors and smaller baits. Muddy water wants big profiles and bright colors. Cold water needs slow presentations. Warm water lets you move faster. Pay attention and adjust.
