Bass Fishing Basics

Know your bass

The two main species are largemouth and smallmouth bass. Largemouth prefer warm, weedy lakes and ponds, while smallmouth favor cooler, rocky rivers and lakes. Both are aggressive predators that strike hard and fight well. Most beginners start with largemouth, since they're found in so many easy-to-access waters.

Find the cover

Bass are ambush predators that hide near structure and cover — weeds, lily pads, docks, fallen trees, rocks, and drop-offs. They wait there and strike at prey that passes by. If you can find cover, you can usually find bass. Cast your lure right to the edge of cover and work it back.

Start with soft plastic worms

A soft plastic worm — Texas-rigged so it's weedless — is one of the most effective and forgiving bass lures. Cast it near cover, let it sink, then lift and drop it slowly. The worm's subtle action drives bass crazy, and it's hard to fish it "wrong." It's the perfect first bass lure.

Try a spinnerbait

A spinnerbait is another great beginner lure — it's a wire arm with a spinning blade and a skirted hook. Just cast and retrieve it steadily, and the blade flashes and vibrates, attracting bass. It's versatile, snag-resistant, and works in many conditions. It's a great way to cover water and find fish.

Use crankbaits to cover water

Crankbaits are hard lures that dive and wobble as you retrieve them. They're excellent for covering lots of water quickly, and their rattles and action trigger reaction strikes. Match the diving depth to the water you're fishing, and vary your retrieve speed.

Learn to feel the bite

Bass bites can be subtle — sometimes just a soft "thump" or a heavy feeling on the line, rather than a hard yank. Pay attention to any change in how your lure feels, and when in doubt, set the hook. Developing this feel takes time, but it's the skill that separates bass anglers.

Set the hook firmly

When you feel a bite, set the hook with a quick, firm upward sweep of the rod. Bass have tough mouths, and a solid hook set drives the hook home. After setting, keep steady pressure and reel them in, letting the rod absorb their runs and jumps.

Vary your retrieve

Bass don't always want the same presentation. If a steady retrieve isn't working, slow down, speed up, or add pauses. Sometimes a subtle change in speed or rhythm triggers a strike. Experimenting with your retrieve is how you figure out what the bass want that day.

Fish the seasons

Bass behavior changes with the seasons. In spring, they move shallow to spawn and are aggressive. In summer, they move deeper during the day. In fall, they feed heavily before winter. Learning these seasonal patterns helps you find bass all year long.

Keep it simple at first

You don't need a tackle box full of lures to catch bass. A soft plastic worm and a spinnerbait will catch bass almost anywhere. Master those two, learn to find cover, and you'll be well on your way. Bass fishing is a lifelong pursuit — start simple and build.

Fish the shady spots

Bass avoid bright sun and seek shade — under docks, overhanging trees, and thick weeds. On a sunny day, cast to the shaded side of cover, where bass lurk out of the glare. Shade concentrates bass and makes them more comfortable and aggressive.

Following the shade through the day — as it shifts with the sun — keeps you fishing where the bass are holding.