Bass Fishing Tips

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i am a person

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Dec 17, 2008
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My normal fishing spot is basically a breeding ground for hornpouts (catfish that growl and can sting you) and are attracted mostly to roast beef, hotdogs, sunfish and worms.

Basically that's all we catch, and it's fun, but I want to reel in something bigger. Preferably not a snapping turtle this time.

I have been using those scented plastic worms (7.5 inch) and rigging them "texas style" with a little weight near the top of the hook as recommended to me by the man who owns the local fishing store, but to no avail.

So who has some tips to get me in the game? What are tell-tale signs of bass being present? I was told to go through and around lilly pads but I just get weeds and snapping turtles (bane of my existence).

Also, how long does it take the scent to wear off of those worms?

So please share tips here for the novices.

Thanks!
 
i am a person said:
My normal fishing spot is basically a breeding ground for hornpouts (catfish that growl and can sting you) and are attracted mostly to roast beef, hotdogs, sunfish and worms.

Basically that's all we catch, and it's fun, but I want to reel in something bigger. Preferably not a snapping turtle this time.

I have been using those scented plastic worms (7.5 inch) and rigging them "texas style" with a little weight near the top of the hook as recommended to me by the man who owns the local fishing store, but to no avail.

So who has some tips to get me in the game? What are tell-tale signs of bass being present? I was told to go through and around lilly pads but I just get weeds and snapping turtles (bane of my existence).

Also, how long does it take the scent to wear off of those worms?

So please share tips here for the novices.

Thanks!
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they start to bed when the water temps are around 55-60 degrees or so. this also depends on what part of the country you are in.. where are you located at?? try using top water baits.
 
fish the worms slow, just jigging them every little bit. If that doesn't work, speend the process up or try a different color worm. I fished a pond and threw a merthiolate colored trick worm over the same spot and couldnt get a bite. I switched to a dark green with glitter and caught two fish on the next two casts.

Just mix things up a bit, and if you can cast well, take off the weight. it'll make the presentation of the worm more realistic.

Easiest way to see if there are bass in the pond is to throw a shiner out there.
 
Did you get any hits from bass on the 7.5" worm, and how big was the hook you were using with it? I ask that because unless I were in really big bass territory I would never start with a plastic worm that large. I have caught plenty 2-5 lb bass on 4" worms, and your action will definitely increase. You can thereby locate the fish with the smaller bait then move up to the larger after that if you want. Also, stay away from the gimmicky plastic baits. They hook more fisherman than they do fish. After many years I still use Berkely Power worms in black or maroon most of the time when canvassing a new spot.

The advice you received was correct, but try fishing the outside lines of the lily pads and any other structure. If you are fishing in them and getting snapping turtles, then there's a good chance bass aren't hanging in that spot. Berkely makes a scented liquid in a bottle that you can you use to refresh your bait. It seems to get bass to hold on longer (but who knows).

Sluggo (4") and lizards may also be a good bet. You may also want to try a tube bait on a hook (no weight- let it sink) around those lily pads. Have caught quite a few that way.

Good luck. Sounds like you have a really good fishing hole and that's 90% of it.
 
Changing colors and fishing slow are both good ideas for the worms. Have you tried any other lures? A Pop-R fished at dusk or dawn is a blast when the fish are biting. You can try a spinner, or crankbait. Have you tried any other style plastic lures? The Speed Craw and Brush Hawg work well in the lakes around here.
 
I would suggest a floating top water or crank bait. Plastic worms are kind of a finesse bait and it you don't know how to fish if properly you could be getting subtle hits and never know it. I have seen underwater videos where a bass picked up a worm and spit it out with the fisherman holding the rod having no idea! A good senstitive rod is a must for worm fishing. You can spend a fortune on rods and equipment for bass fishing. (Wonder how I know this?)
 
Katdaddy said:
I would suggest a floating top water or crank bait. Plastic worms are kind of a finesse bait and it you don't know how to fish if properly you could be getting subtle hits and never know it. I have seen underwater videos where a bass picked up a worm and spit it out with the fisherman holding the rod having no idea! A good senstitive rod is a must for worm fishing. You can spend a fortune on rods and equipment for bass fishing. (Wonder how I know this?)
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toof! thats why you always watch your line:)
 
fishiker said:
Changing colors and fishing slow are both good ideas for the worms. Have you tried any other lures? A Pop-R fished at dusk or dawn is a blast when the fish are biting. You can try a spinner, or crankbait. Have you tried any other style plastic lures? The Speed Craw and Brush Hawg work well in the lakes around here.
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All very good tips and I want to add that the Rapala floating 7S is one the best all-around topwater baits out there. I've probably caught more fish on that single lure than anything else. Obviously, it's no good IN the pads, but fish along the weed edges the last hour or two of daylight and you will know for sure if there are bass around. IMO, topwater is the most fun!

As for plastic bait colors, I like chartreuse, pumpkinseed and plain old black with a pink tail. Good luck!
 
1. Early morning, and late afternoon, when the water is nice and calm, fish topwater baits. The tiny torpedo is my favorite. Also, a floating rapalla is good. When fishing topwater, do not set the hook at the strike, wait till you feel the tug.

2. If you fish a worm, fish it maddeningly slow. Do this later in the morning, after topwater, or before the water calms in the evening and you go back to topwater.

3. If there is nice deep cypress trees, use a jig, and just slowly tap it around the bottom at the base of the trees.

4. Bass love crawfish. Crawfish spinners, crawfish jigs. Use crawfish.
 
Look for edges.
90% of the fish are in 10% of the water.
Edges are the key :)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys!

Richard J, my computer is still stuck in the stone age but hopefully in the next couple of days I will get the pictures to load on a friends computer.

Who knew that fishing is so particular and complicated?? Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to try out a few of the suggestions here (crawfish jigs, 4 inchers instead of 7.5, I know plastic isn't always the way to go but there damn cheap and in good supply around here)

Also, I am in the northeast where weather is abysmally unpredictable. Top-water seems interesting.

One other question, I have heard that bass swim straight down when they bite (thus the suggestion to wait for the tug) while catfish are more jerky in their getaway approach. My friend caught a 15 incher the other day when we were out and he said it felt as if it was just dead weight, is that the proper time to set the hook?
 
That's the beauty of fishing, you can make it as simple or complicated as you want.

When you fish jigs and plastic be a line watcher.
When you see the line jump or swim off, set the hook.

Don't worry about ID-ing fish by the way they 'bite'.
Rule #1 is that all other rules don't always apply.
;)
 
Bass do not swim straight down after being hooked. They will generallly take one lateral direction as an escape while increasing depth. Catfish bites (at least around here) are easy to identify. Whereas bass will "pop" the bait in herky jerky fashion, catfish will tend to drag it under with them in steady fashion.

To set the hook, first take up the slack in your line until you feel even the lightest resistance. Using your index finger of your off hand, you can feel/pull gently for the tension in the line. If there is a STEADY pressure of resistance you should be able to feel it. Set the hook. That's how I do it anyway. I'm sure there are other ways.
 
If you want to catch bass, invest into Gary Yamamoto's 5" senkos and learn to rig a wacky worms and fish mossy banks real slow.
 
Richard J, I ended up seeing the pics at a friends house- Thanks!

Also, I caught 3 today! Largemouth, all with 4 inch yamamoto's in lime green.

I went during the afternoon, fished slow and they came.

I also tried topwater, I didn't have any luck but I like the weight of it, makes for a good cast.
 
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