| Bass fishing is one of the most common | | | | around fabricated wood structures such |
| types of fishing. Many bass fish are | | | | as fencerows, docks, and pilings. They |
| found in bayou water and salt water. | | | | have been known to hide under floating |
| They also move through lakes, ponds, | | | | pieces of wood or decaying wood. Weeds |
| reservoirs and streams. If you know the | | | | are the second best place to hunt for |
| basics regarding conditions and places | | | | bass. Finally, rocks are the third place |
| where bass are likely to be, you will | | | | that bass will find cover. Rocks are not |
| have more success when you fish for | | | | as reliable as weeds or wood, but |
| them. | | | | sometimes a bass will find decaying |
| Many variables change the location of | | | | pieces of food to feast on within some |
| bass, such as water conditions, water | | | | rocks. Remember that rocks do not |
| levels, weather, and light and food | | | | produce oxygen, so the source is not as |
| availability. There are three main | | | | consistent. |
| elements that must be present in a body | | | | When it comes to fishing, everyone has a |
| of water in order for bass to survive: | | | | different opinion. You will often find |
| Food, oxygen, and cover. | | | | that these opinions range in location |
| A bass' favorite meal is crawfish, which | | | | and source. However, there are some |
| they prefer over shad. Basically, | | | | lures and baits that are recommended for |
| crawfish are usually more plentiful and | | | | bass fishing that may be useful if you |
| they are easy for the Bass to catch. | | | | haven't tried them. Tequila colored |
| However, a bass will typically eat | | | | 7-inch worms with added scent are |
| anything from rats, mice, ducklings, | | | | recommended, as well as Rebel Wee-Rs. |
| frogs, snakes, salamanders, worms, | | | | Hellgrammites are thought to be the best |
| lizards, grubs, baitfish, insects, and | | | | live bait, and many will say that you |
| leeches. Their ability to feast on one | | | | don't need big lures to attract big |
| thing above another is why many people | | | | bass. Everyone will tell you to tie up |
| find such enjoyment from fishing bass. | | | | to an embankment, or find a dock to get |
| Oxygen is another key component in | | | | close to, but it is really an art that |
| finding bass fish. The basic rule of | | | | could take years to perfect. |
| thumb is that the cooler the water, the | | | | Bass are notorious for slow moving and |
| more oxygen content. Therefore, if you | | | | lack of distance in their movements. |
| are fishing in the spring, summer or | | | | Logically, you could sit 30 feet from |
| early fall, you will find that the | | | | the biggest bass of your life, and he is |
| larger bass will drop down lower to find | | | | not going to swim to your bait out of |
| the cooler and more oxygen-filled water. | | | | pure laziness. Finding the exact spot is |
| They will also swim to find areas that | | | | difficult and a lot of fishing has to do |
| are more concentrated in vegetation in | | | | with luck. The only part that you can |
| order to find a better oxygen source. | | | | control is finding the most likely |
| Trees, stumps, wind-blown banks, and | | | | places that a bass may be and exercise |
| power plants are all good sources of | | | | some patience. Weather is important to |
| oxygen that will attract bass fish. | | | | bass as well. If it is a cloudy day, you |
| A bass relies on cover for a means of | | | | might have more luck than on a hot |
| protection and way of ambush. Cover is | | | | summer day. However, overcast is |
| part of a bass' survival. The bass is | | | | probably ideal for water temperatures, |
| known as a lazy fish, so they will hide | | | | but then you have to decide what you are |
| and wait for their prey to come to them. | | | | willing to sit through in order to catch |
| The other reason for cover is that bass | | | | a fish. The bottom line with bass |
| fish do not have eyelids and the cover | | | | fishing is you can only do your best |
| is a way to prevent blindness. Some | | | | with the knowledge at hand. |
| common cover areas to find bass in are | | | | |