Bass Fishing Help

[Grappler29]

Whats up guys!

I think I have found an excellent spot for bass fishing. (Internet reaserch) I am very eager to fish this particular spot, however, being the VERY amateur fisherman I am, I know nothing about bass.

If someone can tell me what baits work best, the time of day to go, how to fish for them, and anything else I should know about bass fishing that would be awesome!!

Also, should I buy a bottle of this scent stuff fish supposedly like to spray on my baits?

Thanks,
Grappler29

 

[AaronKrick]

How deep is the water and what is the structure like? i.e. is there lily pads or is it underwater structure?

4 am- 7am and then 7-11 pm is the best times for pretty much anything

 

[Dave Bailey]

The only thing people know for sure about bass, or any species really, is that they can be unpredictable. You might get them on topwater poppers one day, and not the next. Go armed with everything, and if you have no success after a while try another approach. As a general rule topwater noisemakers are for still water, things like plastic frogs are often good around lily pads in all conditions and at all times (but sometimes you'll throw them all day and get nothing), and Texas-rigged or Carolina-rigged plastic worms are for rough structure and/or thick weeds. The fish will tell you what they want, but you have to ask them. And since they can't talk, you just have to keep throwing stuff at them until they answer.

 

[Grappler29]

Wow ok Dave thats some great help!! Thanks so much!!

And Catfish, I am not so sure the depth of the water, probably 10-15 feet deep. There are some marsh around the perimeter of the lake and close to where I fish.
Hope that helps!

Also, are live worms / minnows good for bass fishing too?

Thanks, grappler

 

[CMcQ]

Worms will work too too, but from my experiences, with only a couple exceptions, a worm and bobber technique will catch smaller bass for the most part. If you rig a worm up onto a worm harness and cast/reel, I have found that you have potential to catch somewhat larger bass. Keep in mind that worm harnesses are bad for snagging, so depending on what kind of density you have to fish through, it may be out of the question.

Minnows will work, and they will catch nice large bass! Some tips... Keep 'em fresh and swimming! If you can, buy an air-raider (sold at Canadian Tire or same place you are buying your minnows from) which will pump oxygen into the pail you store your minnows in. This is annoying, but extremely important; they will die quickly without one. I've done a lot of minnow fishing and have found that I catch very few fish on a dead/still minnow, and lots if the minnow is actively swimming once hooked. I like to hook the minnows through the lips, but you can also hook them near the fin on their back. They work well hanging under a bobber, or, use a slip bobber if you need them to sink down further. Attach slipshot sinkers above the minnow on your line so he will be forced to drop far enough. Minnow fishing can be rough, because you only cover a small portion of water at a time, and high maintenance because you have to take care of the minnows and replace them on your hook often, but it can be exciting too. Often, your bobber will start moving left and right as your minnow swims for its life, just moments before the bobber is yanked down altogether. With minnows, I strongly encourage waiting about a second after the bobber goes down before setting the hook in order to ensure the full minnow/hook is in the bass's mouth.

Lots of info... Hope you retained some! Haha, good luck man

 

[AaronKrick]

Crankbaits are for sure my fav bait so if you can cast without getting weeds on it every cast give a cotton cordell in silver a try, if you can find one (silver if the water's muddy, more natural colour if it's clear). If there's a lily pad section by 1 or 2 livetarget frogs and flip them from lily to lily. Texas rigs are good if there's underwater snags like logs. Those are my tried and true baits right there man.

 

[jlisk]

My #1 go to setup for bass is a drop shot rig with a 6" or greater plastic worm.

I usually rig the worm 12-14" off the bottom and just hold my rod in a position where i can just feel the weight of the rig on the tip of my rod. Let it sit there and it will get lots of action just from the underwater currents. After a minute or so I will give it a little lift of the rod to swing it in a foot or two and then repeat the process.

When you think you are snagged, set the hook and hang on.

 

[alwayscatching]

My #1 go to setup for bass is a drop shot rig with a 6" or greater plastic worm.

I usually rig the worm 12-14" off the bottom and just hold my rod in a position where i can just feel the weight of the rig on the tip of my rod. Let it sit there and it will get lots of action just from the underwater currents. After a minute or so I will give it a little lift of the rod to swing it in a foot or two and then repeat the process.

When you think you are snagged, set the hook and hang on.

If you want try the Robo worm or Xzone swammer/slammers. Very productive on multiple lakes!

 

[jlisk]

If you want try the Robo worm or Xzone swammer/slammers. Very productive on multiple lakes!

Will check em out, thanks for the tackle tips.

 

[Grappler29]

Great help,
Thanks guys!

 

[SeanR]

Wacky rigging a 5 inch senko on a wide gap, weedless hook is my go to. Especially on warmer afternoons when nothing seems to be striking aggressively. Toss em into cover like lillys and around stumps. Top waters on calm mornings and evenings are great too. Good luck!

 

[K24_cm7]

my 2 main lures I go to first on the grand has to be my rebel crawfish and a jig head with a twister tail grub but this set up is more prone to snags.


I've always wanted the catch a fish using top water but I have yet to catch anything in the grand. love playing with the live target frog and my skitter pop but so far no luck all season..

 

[Bassassins]

The following should be in your tackle and for bass we don't go out without these 4 options... As mentioned before the fish will tell you what they want. As the day go along you can fish these options all day long if you want for bass. When one stops move onto the next and you will gain your own confidence in what works where.

- shallow running crank (when they are agressive)
- frog/popper (when you are hearing blow ups around but not getting anything yourself - means they are looking up for food - usually early morning calm or that evening low light)
- drop shot (we use craws or shads as explained above slow presentation and let the current do the work)
- wacky rig (especially if you have holes to drop in, structure of any kind or docks - can be thrown on a second rod and tossed whenever you miss a fish on the top two... Almost always results in a strike)

Hope this helps - let us know how you make out

 

[jmmartin]

They tend to stay in the shade. in my personal expereance an 6 inch plastic worm texas rigged. "weedless" . then plop it in and barly wiggle it. next on hit list is the spinner bait bay fay a all around great lure.