Learn How to Catch Bass: Tips from the Pros

Want to try bass fishing but not sure where to start? If you didn't grow up fishing, learning the basics might seem challenging. We're here to simplify bass fishing for beginners and help you get started.

Where to Find Bass

Whether you're aiming to catch largemouth bass in a reservoir or smallmouth bass in a river, there's a key to finding these fish: Look for likely spots to cast your line using your eyes and your boat's electronics.

Structure is something that stands out in the water, like a point jutting from the shoreline or a fallen tree in the water. But things like changes in water temperature or where currents meet can also count as structure. These spots might provide shade, a hiding place from predators, or a spot for bass to gather prey easily.

There are exceptions, like during spawning season when bass might be in nests on flat or cove bottoms with no obvious structure. But generally, you'll catch more fish around the spots where you've found structure.

When to Fish for Bass

You'll have better luck either early in the morning or later in the day. As with most fish species, you'll see more bass fish activity during sunrise and sunset hours.

How to Catch Bass

While many books delve into this subject, the basics come down to offering the bass a lure or bait that mimics what they eat. In lakes with lots of shad, you might choose a plug or spoon that looks like shad. In crayfish-rich rivers, you might opt for a crayfish-colored lure. The "match the hatch" saying usually holds true, with the specifics varying by location.

For beginners, using live bait or a simple setup like a bobber with a hook baited with a live minnow or nightcrawler can be effective. As you gain experience, you might transition to casting lures.

As you become more familiar with where structure leads to successful fishing, you might explore different parts of the lake in your fishing boat, and eventually, you could try various bodies of water and types of waterways.

Make sure your bass boat comes equipped with the best features and add-ons to help you get the best catch every time! We've outlined the best features to have on a bass boat.

No matter where you are in this process, one thing is certain: once you engage with a bass, you'll likely be hooked on bass fishing for life.

Read more bass fishing tips from our pro anglers.