Best States in the Country to go Bass Fishing

Best States in the Country to go Bass Fishing

Almost every state will claim that they have the best bass fishing in the country, but they can’t all be right.  So that begs the question which states really do have the best bass fishing?  Is in Minnesota with their plethora of lakes or is it Utah who really does have some world class smallmouth bass fishing spots.  Good fishing can really depend on the species you want to catch as well.  Nonetheless here are our favorites, the best states in the country to go bass fishing.

Florida

When it comes to fishing in Florida, bass is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.  However Florida has some great deep waters with great spawning grounds for bass.  The best fishing happens in the heart of the summer when nobody is around, you can try Lake Okeechobee or Lake Seminole and in the Everglades too.  Florida is a favorite of fishing pro Larry Nixon, so if you can stand the heat then give it a try.

Alabama

Alabama has some of the best bass fishing in the entire country and every angler needs to head there at least once.  You can catch spotted bass in the Alabama River or head over to Guntersville for enormous largemouth bass.  There is great fishing all over the state you just have to go exploring.  You can catch almost any type of bass here, largemouth, smallmouth or striped.

California

If you want to try your hand at catching bass that are bigger than 15 pounds then California is the place you want to be.  California imported bass from Florida years ago and that has paid off incredibly well for anglers in the state, now you can get some of the best trophy largemouth bass anywhere in the world.  Head down south to San Diego and check out the lakes nearby for some mass bass.

Georgia

Right next door to Alabama Georgia also has some absolutely great fishing. A world record largemouth bass was caught here and if you want to try your hand at setting a new world record then head over to West Point Lake and give it a whirl.  While there are still plenty of places to catch some largemouth bass what Georgia is really famous for is spots.  You can consistently reel in spots that weigh more than 5 pounds at a number of different lakes including Lake Sinclair or Lake Hartwell.

While any of these states should make it onto your bucket list there are tons of places across the country where you can get in some great fishing.

5 Tips for Catching More Bass

5 Tips for Catching More Bass

Whether you are new to fishing, or you’re a recreational angler who loves to fish – well, who doesn’t love bass and who doesn’t love a few tips? Bass fishes are common in freshwater and saltwater (they especially are common bait as game fish) and it’s natural that they are very tricky to catch. While having some experience comes in as handy, even the regular guys have trouble in catching more bass. Fret not, for here are some tips to help you catch more bass.

It helps to be out on the waters a lot

Being able to navigate your way into a school of fishes and some familiarity with the fishing rod and all kinds of reel is very valuable. So, having spent a lot of your time in water (literally looking out for bass) makes you more experienced, and over time, you’re already a couple of steps away from catching more bass. No, this is not about you being able to swim. This is more about knowing which parts of the water are more likely to have fishes. That kind of knowledge isn’t something that comes naturally to us, sadly.

Educate yourself online

There are hundreds of articles that are typically targeted towards certain kinds of waters and specific regions. Although it’s easier to get some general information, some education (especially from the professionals) will definitely count. For e.g. it is known that spinning reels are very useful, but it probably makes sense to ensure that you’re spooling every now and then.

Hook up your fishing rods frequently

You heard me right, set the hooks of the fishing rod often. The hooks are very crucial to a good catch. Some fishes are small, and their light nibs could make you think that you’re probably getting a bite. If you feel a light bite, set the hook. It makes up for all the excitement that is associated with it, because, a few minutes later – voila! Here’s your bass.

Make some fishing buddies

This advice comes from a fishing buddy of mine that owns a tree service company in Grapevine Texas. You’ll learn faster if you have fishing buddies who are as much as or more knowledgeable than you. Join a couple of your local friendly buddies in some fishing trips, and they will educate you so well on the when-where-how of bass catching. And hey, it never hurts to make more fishing friends, does it?

Be patient. Don’t rush

Sometimes, the excitement gets to you that you lose focus. No, slow down. It’s okay to throw your cast out there and let it fish slowly. You’ll get there, eventually.

The Difference Between Small Mouth and Large Mouth Bass

The Difference Between Small Mouth and Large Mouth Bass

There are millions of species of fish in lakes, rivers and oceans all across the globe.  Throughout history man has been relying on fish as a big part of their diets, fish are delicious and incredibly good for you.  Today we don’t have to rely on our ability to fish as a method of feeding our families, rather it is a sport that people enjoy throughout the season.

One of the most common species of fish that are caught for sport are bass, both the large-mouth and small-mouth varieties.  Bass are found just about everywhere, both in fresh and salt waters and they make great sport but many people wonder the difference between the two types.  Let’s have a look at the two different types.

You must be thinking that what is to discuss so much as the name is evident enough that a large-mouth bass would have a large mouth whereas a small-mouth bass fish would have a small-mouth?

While both the small-mouth and the large-mouth basses belong to the sunfish category, there are remarkable differences among these two. Let us understand the details so that we know our fishes more elaborately.

Difference between small-mouth bass and large-mouth bass

No. of scales

Simply count the number of scales on your fish’s cheeks to confirm whether it’s a small mouth or a large mouth bass. A small bass will have 17 rows of scale on its cheeks whereas the large one will have around 10 rows of scales.

Also, the stripes would be horizontal on a largemouth whereas the small one would have vertical lines.

Check the distance the fish’s mouth covers with respect to its eyes

Another remarkable difference is that to check how far the mouth of the fish goes when seen with respect to its eyes. A large-mouth bass’s eyes would go far beyond its eyes whereas the small mouth fish’s mouth will go only up to the medium point of its eye.

Difference in the dorsal fins

Another great way to differentiate between the two would be to check their dorsal fins. While the small-mouth bass’s dorsal fins aren’t divided, the large-mouth bass’s exhibits two clear separate fins.

Experts who understand and know their fishes deeply can immediately check these basic differences and know which one is a small-mouth bass and which one is a large-mouth bass. Now, that you know the required points, you too can say the difference with full expertise and like a pro.

What Color Lure to Pick For Bass Fishing

What Color Lure to Pick For Bass Fishing

Fishing conditions vary but the bait and lure you use will make all the difference.  Experienced bass fishermen have a ton of lures in a variety of different colors, for the newbie bass fisherman here is a guide on what color lure to pick for bass fishing.  You have a ton of options to choose from.

  1. Color Silver or Chrome: Each color serves its purpose once you know what is required based on the fishing condition. Sunny days are a great time for bass fishing. However, you may find the exercise stressful when you use any other color that is not silver or chrome. These colors of crankbait lures work fine because bass tend to feed on bait fish such as shad or minnows. So, for this condition, either of these two colors are perfect.
  2. Color White: Picking the right color for a day that is either cloudy or rainy is no longer a challenge. The best color to use for bass fishing under such conditions is white. This is for the simple reason that they will be visible to bass since the weather will not be looking too bright.
  3. Color Green or Brown: Once you have these colors then you are in business for bass fishing. A green or brownish colored crankbait works just fine for periods when bass eats crawfish. During such periods, going with these colors will place the odds of catching bass in your favor. Avoid trial and error by taking note of when to make use of a green or brown crankbait.
  4. Color Orange or Chartreuse: You must have noticed that both of these colors are bright, of course. Bass is not only caught in clean waters as they can also be found in stained or muddy waters. This explains the reason for using a crankbait that is brightly colored. In conditions such as this, it makes the finding of bait easy for bass and that is exactly your purpose for choosing any of these colors.

Bass fishing does not need to be carried out under one type of condition, or be left to mere chance. The tips offered above improve your chances of catching bass once you make use of the right color of crankbait based on the prevailing condition. Although there are hundreds of crankbait lure colors to choose from, taking advantage of the colors offered above will always ensure that you catch bass.