| it in bass fishing that everybody are driven on to | | | | 5. Water temperatures |
| engage on such activity? People get fond of bass | | | | 6. Seasonal patterns- this is in relation with the trend |
| fishing that is why every trend that they hear about it | | | | whether bass fishing is seasonal or not. |
| really catches their interests and as much as possible | | | | 7. Locating structure areas |
| get into it. | | | | 8. Finding vegetation areas |
| Where are the what...? Where are the bass! | | | | But there is more! Being a consistent bass angler is so |
| How many of the anglers (tournament and | | | | much more than just getting in your boat, hitting the |
| recreational) go to a body of water you've never | | | | water, and casting your baits. That's why bass |
| fished before, drop the boat in the water, then, ask this | | | | tournaments are so competitive and exciting, because |
| question to yourself? This is probably one of the | | | | the more you learn about locating bass the quicker |
| biggest topics in bass fishing that an angler should learn | | | | you can start catching them right? And hey, isn't that |
| more about. | | | | half the battle? |
| Here you will be getting information on how to locate | | | | Let's start by looking at a lake map. There are two |
| areas best for bass fishing. | | | | general types of lake maps that most anglers will use |
| Locating bass and understanding the water would be | | | | which are referred to as the; Hot Spot and |
| the number one question among bass anglers today. | | | | Topographical maps. The differences between |
| The next most asked question would be is which baits | | | | the two is that a Topo map shows more detail, |
| they should use to catch a "big" bass. | | | | and the Hot Spots map shows more fishing |
| Now when you think about it, there are really only two | | | | spots (well, at least they’re supposed to). |
| (2) main topics that go hand-in-hand when it comes to | | | | The secret (or key) in learning how to use a lake map |
| bass fishing. If you understood more about these two, | | | | would be to sector the map. What I mean by this is |
| you would definitely become a much better angler, and | | | | that I will take the map and study it for a moment |
| they are: | | | | (looking for areas where the fish would most likely be.) |
| 1. Knowing how to locate bass. | | | | Next, I will (using a highlighter) divide the map in sections |
| 2. Knowing how to catch bass using all the different | | | | based on how much time I have to pre-fish for a |
| techniques, presentations, and baits. | | | | tournament or how many days I have to just fish the |
| Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of a | | | | body of water for fun. |
| challenge to most anglers because there are so many | | | | The size of the sections will vary depending on |
| different factors that need to be determined such as: | | | | contours, structure, and how many places I may want |
| 1. Knowing how to read a map - this is the | | | | to check out during the course of the day based on |
| fundamental skill that you should try to learn because | | | | what the map shows me. I am certainly not one to just |
| through a map it is easier for you to take on the | | | | cast bait into the water and work it for five minutes |
| appropriate location good for bass fishing. | | | | and leave; I will try an assortment of baits if I see signs |
| 2. Knowing the most practical places to look for Active | | | | of fish in any given area to try to establish a working |
| Bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and | | | | pattern. |
| late fall periods - weather condition must be especially | | | | Here are some key elements that you can usually look |
| considered as well. | | | | for when it comes to locating bass on any given body |
| 3. Understanding water depth- this is an important | | | | of water: |
| element because the depth or the hollowness of the | | | | 1. Vegetation areas |
| water will serve as a factor for you to know if it is a | | | | 2. Irregular contours |
| good location. | | | | 3. Shallow water close to deep water areas |
| 4. Water clarity- it could be easier for you to now | | | | 4. Points and point drops |
| have your bass fishing if you are well-oriented about | | | | 5. |
| the water clarity of your location. | | | | |