Bass Fishing \"There\'s a Fine

¶ … Bass Fishing

"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on a dock holding a pole like an idiot." -- Comedian Steven Wright

Understanding Bass Fishing

Bass fishing can be a tremendously enjoyable and rewarding experience. In addition to bringing one closer to the natural world, it provides an opportunity to learn about the behaviors of animals in the wild and to apply specific knowledge about wildlife species in a challenging activity. Decades of experience have suggested various important principles and methods for ensuring a successful bass fishing experience. To many who enjoy bass fishing as a sport, they appreciate the fact that it allows the thrill of hunting without causing serious harm to the prey. On the other hand, many pursue bass fishing "for keeps" and get more satisfaction from catching their food than from buying it in processed form.

Principle #1 -- Using Climate Knowledge to your Advantage

Generally, Bass prefer cooler water and are most likely to be found in shaded areas or wherever any conditions allow significantly cooler water temperatures than the larger body of water.

To take full advantage of this principle, one should become familiar with the patterns of direct sunlight that result from the surrounding terrain. Over the course of a day, certain areas receive significantly less solar radiation than others; often, this is where Bass congregate the most.

Principle #2 -- Using Terrain Knowledge to your Advantage

Generally, Bass prefer the shelter of underwater vegetation and they particularly seem to like the shelter of submerged trees and overhanging rocks. In addition to the fact that these areas tend to remain cooler because of reduced water circulation, Bass also seem to like the camouflage these areas provide. The fisherman's knowledge of the underwater environment can help predict the most likely refuge of Bass. Experienced Bass fishermen take advantage of days when the water is clear to form a picture of the underwater physical landscape.

Principle #3 -- Becoming Proficient with Fishing Equipment

One of the most important skills for successful Bass fishing is accurate casting. In fact, without the ability to caste accurately, all the knowledge about climate, behavior, and underwater terrain is useless. Generally, unnecessary casting in the vicinity of the well-chosen target reduces the effectiveness of subsequent casting attempts. Ideally, one should practice with every piece of equipment so that casting is accurate when it counts.

Principle #4 -- Learning from Others