Need bass fishing tips that’ll help you catch big bass? We got you covered!
Bass fishing is arguably the biggest sport in fishing.
With tournaments worldwide, including large prizes and payouts, it is no wonder everyone has heard of “Bass Fishin’.”
Bass are territorial and aggressive fish. With a big strike and a big fight, the bass is an adrenaline rush to catch.
In this guide, we’ve provided you with with a host of bass fishing tips to help you catch more!
Listen to more bass fishing tips on the Cast & Spear Podcast
Information About Bass
For bass fishing success, it’s important that you know the basics.
Largemouth Bass
The largemouth bass is an olive-green to greenish-gray fish. It’s marked by a series of dark, sometimes black, blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank.
The upper jaw (maxilla) extends beyond the rear margin of the orbit.
The largemouth is the largest of the black basses, reaching a maximum recorded length of 29.5 in and a maximum unofficial weight of 25 pounds 1 ounce. Largemouth lives 16 years on average. In comparison to age, a female bass is larger than a male.
The juvenile largemouth consumes small baitfish, scuds, small shrimp, and insects.
An adult largemouth consumes:
- smaller fish (bluegill, banded killifish)
- shad
- snails
- crawfish
- frogs
- snakes
- salamanders
- bats
- small water birds
- mammals
- baby alligators.
In larger lakes and reservoirs, adult bass occupies deeper water than younger fish and shift to a diet consisting almost entirely of smaller fish like shad, yellow perch, ciscoes, shiners, and sunfish.
Largemouth bass also consume younger members of larger fish species, such as
- catfish
- trout
- walleye
- white bass
- striped bass
- smaller black bass.
Prey items can be as large as 50% of the bass’s body length or larger.
These bass usually hang around big patches of weeds and other shallow water covers. These fish can survive in a wide variety of climates and waters. They are one of North America’s most tolerant fish.
Smallmouth Bass
A convenient way to distinguish between largemouth bass and spotted bass is by the size of the mouth and a small toothy patch located on the tongue. Spotted bass resembles a largemouth bass in coloration but has a smaller mouth.
Spotted bass can reach a length of almost 25 in, reaching weights of up to 11 lb.
It can reach an age of at least seven years. Bass has rows of dark spots below the lateral line, which give it its common name.
It prefers cool and warm mountain streams and reservoirs with rocky bottoms. The spotted bass feeds on insects, crustaceans, frogs, annelid worms, and smaller fish.
Alabama spotted is prized as a gamefish, and the average size is much larger than the more common Kentucky spotted bass. The current record spotted bass, caught in Pine Flat Lake, California, weighed 10.27 lb.
Bass Fishing Tips
When to Fish for Bass
One of the bass fishing tips we’re sharing is the right time to fish bass.
For daytime, the bass is said to have a photopic vision. At night and in other low light conditions, the bass has a scotopic vision.
These two types of vision are different. What a bass sees at night is definitely not what it sees during the day.
So what does this mean?
The bass’ daytime vision has enhanced depth perception and color identification. In lower light conditions, the bass’ eyes take in more light for improved vision when its prey can’t see as well.
For this reason, the best time of day for bass fishing is dawn and dusk. Also, it helps if you use the best worms for bass to entice them.
What to Look for When Fishing for Bass
Bass feed around fallen trees, boat docks, and low-hanging limbs.
Grassy areas are another prime bass area. Bass will chase smaller fish into these grassy areas, so they get trapped.
Bass Fishing Gear
If you want to catch the biggest bass, make sure you’re well-equipped with the right bass fishing gear.
Best Bass Rod and Reel Combo
KastKing Sharky III Spinning Fishing Rod Reel Combo
The new KastKing Sharky III combo is an exceptional value and a true performance combo!
These rods are for serious anglers looking for an incredible rod and one top reel ever packaged together. This makes it so easy to go fishing today.
KastKing starts with a high modulus, Toray IM7 rod blank in 6 lengths and actions.
The 6’6” medium action is great for bass, trout, or even panfish. You don’t need to go up higher than that unless you want more casting distance.
To complete the combo KastKing has included one of the best reels ever, the Sharky III. This smooth, 5.2:1 gear ratio, 10+1 ball bearing reel has a graphite frame and rotor, an aluminum spool and handle, and a powerful triple disc carbon drag.
This long and easy casting reel will become your favorite bass reel matching the rod length and weight.
The rod is a 2 pc design to make travel easy and uses premium EVA handles and fighting butt for all-day comfort.
Best Bass Rod and Reel Combo for Kids
Quantum Fishing Gen-X2 UL 3+1 Spin Combo
The GENX-2 Combos feature a new high-modulus graphite rod with a sculptured split-grip EVA handle. It also has lightweight Dynaflow aluminum oxide guides and a custom Quantum reel seat.
Other features include
- 4 Bearing Drive System with Continuous Anti-Reverse
- Strong, Lightweight Composite Body
- Anodized aluminum bail wire
- Long-Stroke Spool with Multi-Stack Drag
- Solid Brass Pinion Gear and TRU-Balance Rotor
- Great fishing pole for kids
Best Bass Rod and Reel Combo for Beginners
Abu Garcia IKE Dude Spinning/Spincast Fishing Reel & Rod Combo
The Ike Dude spinning combos offer cutting-edge design and precision performance for youth anglers.
The Ike Dude platform features quality components paired with aggressive cosmetics and is available in both spinning reel and spin cast reel options.
Each is 2 pieces composite blank and includes high-density EVA split grips for lightweight comfort and durability.
Other features include
- 2 ball bearings
- Lightweight graphite body and rotor
- Aluminum spool
- High-density EVA
- Lightweight composite blank
Best Zebco Baitcaster for Bass
Zebco Baitcast Combo (Size 100, Right)
The propel reel will go far in satisfying consumer requests for an affordable Zebco baitcasting combo.
Other features include
- Continuous anti-reverse clutch lightweight graphite frame
- Built-in hook keeper
- Aluminum Spool
- 3 bearings (2 + clutch)
- Magnetic cast control
- Right and left-hand retrieve
- Lightweight graphite frame and side covers
- Sensitive graphite composite rod
- Disc drag system
- split-grip cork reel specifications: technique: baitcasting – reel size: 100 – gear ratio: 6.1: 1 –
- bearings: 3 bearings (2 + clutch) – max drag: 15 lbs
- Braid Capacity (Yards/lbs): 170/30 – mono capacity (yards/lbs): 120/14
- Anti-reverse: continuous – retrieve rate: 23″
- Reel handle position: right/left
- Rod specifications: – length: 6’6″ – Number of pieces: 2 – power: medium-heavy – blank material: graphite composite – handle material: split-grip cork
- The number of guides: 6 + tip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to catch bass?
A: Bass fish facing the wind. Bass always swims with the current.
Red fools bass. When in doubt about lure color, use a red.
Bass fish shallow in the spring and deeper in cooler water temps.
“Skip” your bait.
Bass fish before a storm. Bass are more active.
Aggravate bass. Bass, by nature, are always in a bad mood. Use this to your advantage. Even a bass that is not hungry will usually strike.
Q: What do bass eat?
A: The simple answer to this question is just about anything. Bass is a predatory fish. They will go after anything that will fit in their mouths. Bass has even been known to attack prey much larger than themselves.
Q: How to catch largemouth bass?
A: There are a variety of ways to catch largemouth bass. Since bass is predatory fish, they will strike just about any style lure. When in doubt about what to use, the trusty worm almost always works.
Q: What bait to use for bass?
A: Worms, swimbaits, spoons, and topwater lures are the usual “go-to baits” for bass.
Q: What do largemouth bass eat?
A: Like their smallmouth counterparts, largemouth bass will eat just about anything.
Q: What hook size is for bass?
A: 2/0 and 3/0 is the most used hook size.
Q; When to fish for bass?
A: Bass have keen eyesight during the day; for this reason, dawn and dusk fishing are excellent times. Before a storm is another prime time for bass fishing.
More Q & A
Q: How to bass fish from the shore?
A: When fishing from the shore (bank), look for “debris” in the water, such as fallen logs, brush, and grass. These are prime areas for bass.
Note any low-hanging limbs that you can snag on while casting overhand.
Q: What kind of lure to use for bass?
A: Soft plastics are some of the best bass lures. Worms on a Carolina or Texas rig are a good choice.
Q: What is the best bait to catch largemouth bass?
A: Topwater, worms, swimbaits, and spoons are all good choices for largemouth bass.
Insider Advice
Bass fishing is a very addictive sport/pastime. Even the smallest bass can put up a big fight that few other freshwater fish can match.
Out of the best bass fishing rigs we have reviewed, the Pflueger Trion Fishing Reel and Rod Combo get the highest marks. Although it is more expensive, you definitely get ‘more bang for your buck.”
With fall bass fishing upon us, it is time to gear up and go out and catch more bass.
Founder & Angler 
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