Bass fishing offers a wide range of ability and challenge for the beginner and the professional.  There are several fish in the species line including bluegills, spotted bass, largemouth and rock bass.  These are warm water bass.  Others such as striped bass, white bass and white perch are a temperate bass.  If you are heading out to catch some bass, your first and most important goal is to know where to find them.

Where You Have To Look For Bass

There are several locations that they like to call home.  For one, look in your lakes.  You can find a wide range of them in shallow lakes in the south.  This is where you are likely to find your largemouth bass.  Here, look in the weeds and in the reeds.  But, you are likely not to find too many here.  They enjoy eating algae and plankton which is not readily available in many lakes.  Instead, look to the rivers.  The water temperatures and the oxygen levels are just right in many rivers for the bass.  You'll need to look just outside the current's direct flow.  Look on the downstream side of rocks and fallen trees as this is where they enjoy hiding.  To catch them, do some bottom and surface fishing.

A great place to find your bass is to look in streams.  Here, you will find smallmouth bass in the cooler water of the streams especially just below the rapids.  Look in the hiding places such as where erosion has made holes.  Look where there are rocks or fallen limbs as well.  Look below a dam especially on a hot day.  You'll find that they are never in direct current flow.  Also, take a look at ponds.  These are a source for smaller bass especially near the shore near fallen logs.  Of course, look in the reeds.  You can fish any of these locations at night for good results too.

Remember that bass are looking for prime conditions and will search them out.  They are looking for just the right water temperature and water level.  They will seek out locations with good food supply and the right sunlight.

As for bait, you'll want to use a wide range of choices.  In still fishing, go with night crawlers, insects and minnows.  For bait casting and spinning, use artificial products, trolling with live bait or you can even fly fish for them.  For lures, make sure to get at least a five and a half to seven foot rod and your line should be about six to ten pound test.  For fly fishing, go with seven to nine feet in rod with a fast taper.  You will also need a single action reel that has floating #7 to #9 line with a six to eight pound leader.  

If you can, take someone skilled at bass fishing with you your first time out.  You are likely to learn a lot.  Talk to your local bait shop dealer to learn what bait will work well for your bass.  Pick a variety of locations to fish and you'll find success.

Light tackle Striped bass fishing in Boston harbor with Masss Bay Guides. beautiful scenery and awsome fishing with Captain Greg Sears

Lake Okeechobee Bass Fishing Facts

When it comes to bass fishing Lake Okeechobee is at the top of the list for great places to catch bass. This is especially true if you are searching for trophy bass. In fact, it is the most famous lake you will find anywhere in the world for the best bass fishing opportunities. When it comes to freshwater lakes this one is also the second largest in the United States and it does live up to its great reputation for being filled with bass. You will find this lake in the central part of southern Florida just north of the Everglades.

Lake Okeechobee is most famous for its largemouth bass and it provides you with a chance to catch that trophy fish you always wanted. If you are just visiting Florida and do not know the area very well, then you may need a little help determining the best places to go bass fishing. This can be easily achieved by hiring a guide to help you out. There are many services available in the area that will be glad to furnish you with all the assistance you need.

Best Locations to Find Bass in Lake Okeechobee

One reason Lake Okeechobee is so abundant with bass is because it has everything this species needs to thrive and grow. There are numerous waterways that go into narrow canals which is an excellent home for the bass. You will also find many grassy areas, brush piles and vegetation which all translate into great bass fishing. There are many places you can go on this lake and have tons of success. However, if you don't know your way around you could spend a lot of unnecessary time searching for these areas.

That is why it is highly recommended you take advantage of one of the guide services located in the area. They will be able to take you right to the hotspots and get your fishing trip started off right. You don't want to waste your time riding around on the lake instead of reeling in the bass. There are many professional services available that can accommodate any fishing need you may have. Therefore, it will be easy to find a guide service that is perfect for you.
You should note that the best time of the year to fish for bass at Lake Okeechobee is in the last part of the fall all the way through to early spring. If you are planning on visiting this lake for a fishing vacation this would probably be the best time. Just make sure that you plan ahead and make your arrangements in advance because you will not be the only one who will be searching for a great place to go bass fishing this time of year. With the reputation this lake holds, it will be a popular spot.

What is it with bass fishing that compels so many people to take part in this activity? People really like bass fishing that is why when they hear a trend about it this peaks their interests.

"Where are the blah blah.? Where is the bass!" How many anglers (recreational and tournament) find body of water that they have not fished before, get the boat in the water, then, they ask themselves this question? This is most likely one of the largest issues in bass fishing that an angler needs to understand.

Here you will get advice on how to find areas good for bass fishing.
Finding bass and comprehending the water would be the most important question of many bass anglers. The next question that is asked the most would be what type of bait they need to use to reel in a large bass.

Now when you consider it, there are actually only two main ideas that go together when it comes to bass fishing. The more you understand about these two, the more it will help you to become a much experienced fisher, and they are;

1. Learning how to find the best bass locations.

2. Learning about the different baits,techniques and presentations to help you catch a bass.

Trying to find a good place for bass can be challenging to most fishermen because there are many aspects that need to be considered such as:

1. Learn map reading - this is a basic skill that needs to be learned because using a map it will be easier to find good places for bass fishing.

2. Discovering the best places to find active Bass soon after cold fronts and during late fall and early spring times. You should definitely consider the water conditions.

3. Judging the depth of the water- this is a vital aspect because the depth of the water body will be a determining factor if you are in a good location or not.

4. Clarity of water- you might find bass fishing easier if you are well-aware of the water clarity in your area.

5. Temperature of the water

6. Seasonal patterns- there can be a related trend of bass fishing.

7. Structure area location

8. Locating areas of vegetation

There is even more! Being a bass angler that is consistent includes more than just jumping in your boat, getting in the water, and throwing your baits. AndThat's why it can get so exhilarating and aggressive at bass tournaments, because as you gather more information about finding bass the faster you can begin to catch them right? And hey, thats half the struggle?

Let's begin by taking a look at a map of a lake. There are usually two varieties of lake maps that a majority of anglers will handle which are called the: "Topographical" and "Hot Spot" maps. The "Hot Spots" map displays the best fishing spots whereas the "Topo" map will present more detail.

The important thing you need to do when using a lake chart would be to segment the map. You will need to analyze the map. Check for areas where you think fish might be. Next, You should separate the map into sections depending on the time you are allowed to pre-fish for an upcoming tournament or how long you have to just fish for enjoyment in the body of water.

The dimension of the sections will vary according to structure, contours, and the number of places you may want to investigate throughout the day depending on what is shown on the map. You should not just cast your bait a few times then leave. Try a variety of baits if you detect signs of fish in any particular areas to try to provide a working system.

Here are some vital things that you can probably check for when trying to find bass on any particular water body:

1. Areas of Vegetation

2. Contours that are uneven

3. Shallow water near deep sea areas

4. Point drops and point

5. Different kinds of structure

I hope that you find this article informative and useful too. Enjoys yourself.

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Every sport has its heroes - those people whose exemplary actions cause them to stand out among others, becoming household names for fans around the world.  Bass fishing is no different.  While many non-fishermen may not recognize these names, they're well-known and respected to the bass fishing experts.

The name that all bass fishermen know is Ray Scott.  Scott founded the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society - the biggest bass fishing society in the US.  He also created a number of fishing tournaments under the BASS society, including the Bassmaster Classic - the most well-known bass fishing tournament in the US.  Today, fishermen know Scott as the father of modern-day bass fishing and an activist for many issues important to fishermen.

Michael Iaconelli is another very well-known bass fisherman who hails from New Jersey.  He was named one of the top 100 amateur bass fishermen by BASS in 1994, when he was only 22.  He would go on to win BASS's premiere event - the Bassmaster Classic - in 2003.  In 2006, Iaconelli was named the Bassmaster Angler of the Year, one of the most prestigious titles a bass fisher can achieve. 

Today, Iaconelli hosts a fishing show on the Versus network and has co-authored his own autobiography.  An interesting side-note about Iaconelli is that he has the dubious honor of being named one of the ten most hated athletes by GQ magazine, perhaps because of his signature scream that he lets lose whenever he catches a large fish.

Kevin VanDam is another fisherman who's widely respected as one of the top bass fishermen in the world.  Born in Michigan, VanDam quickly made a name for himself as a fisherman with the ability to catch bass under just about any condition - including storms.  He has been named the BASS society's Angler of the Year three times, won its Bassmaster Classic twice, and was named the ESPN Outdoor Sportsman of the Year in 2002.  VanDam is nowhere near done either, and he continues to compete professionally.  As of the end of the 2007 season, he was the top ranked bass fisherman in the world.

Luke Clausen is another popular bass fisherman who has just recently come onto the bass fishing scene.  While he's been an amateur fisherman for years, his win of the 2006 Bassmaster Classic launched him into bass fishing magazines and television shows across the nation.  When asked why he fishes, Clausen responded "I fish to make a living, and I love to fish. I love the challenge each day. Every place we go to is different."

Of course, there are many bass fishermen across the world, and not all the famous ones are from the US.  For example, the 2004 Bassmaster Classic winner, was Takahiro Omori, a Japanese angler who was living in Texas at the time.  Bass fishermen in Japan, Australia, and South Africa often compete in their own tournaments and travel to the US to challenge pros like Iaconelli, VanDam, and Clausen in various tournaments.  If you're just getting started with the sport of bass fishing, studying and learning from these pros is a great way to get going quickly.

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You've heard of many types of bass that you can find in the many lakes and rivers of the United States. There are striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black bass, white bass, and a number of others. However, you may not be familiar with the sport of peacock bass fishing because you may never have heard of such a creature. Here is some information on this less commonly caught type of fish and some areas where you can go for good peacock bass fishing.

A peacock bass is similar in shape to the largemouth bass, though it is definitely not a member of the largemouth bass family. In fact, these babies are part of the "cichlids" family, which includes more than 1,000 species worldwide and is well known to tropical fishermen. These fish pick out a vantage point that keeps them well hidden and ambush unsuspecting prey that happens by. They eat opportunistically and are gluttonous in their appetite. At this point, their similarity to largemouth bass ends.

Peacock bass fishing is largely popular due to the fact that the peacock is very eye appealing. The Florida peacock is shaded in blues, greens, oranges, and golds, while the similar species from further north is not nearly as colorful. However, the peacock bass also provides quite a challenge as the toughest freshwater species in the world. Four distinct species of peacock bass are from Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil in South America (known here as pavon), but at least two of these have also migrated up to Florida as a regular habitat. They have come to be known as "peacock" because of a common feature on all of them: there is a black circular "eye" rimmed in gold on the base of the caudal fin that resembles the markings on the tail plume of a male peacock. The average fish you'll catch while peacock bass fishing will be between two and four pounds, though they can be found much larger.

Peacock bass fishing is a hard fought battle, as this species is strong and doesn't reel in easily. You'll be getting your daily workout fishing for these puppies. Most peacocks are found in small lakes, canal systems, and in deep water structure. The basic method of angling for peacock involves simple topwater baits and tactics, though you can also find excellent results at times with hard stickbaits, plastic worms, and rattle traps. If it's quantity you want, you can even try live bait, which will increase quantities, if not size. Fly fishermen will also get their workout, with peacock putting fly fishing equipment to the test with their struggles. The peacock strikes with bone-jarring strength, performs impressive aerial acrobatics, and can affect line stripping runs. These specimens will routinely break lines and destroy lures and tackle.

If you want to quote reports, they say that as much as 80 per cent of the bass fishing in warm waters is done with the help of scented attractants. Correct figures or not, it clearly shows that bass is one of the fish which is most commonly attracted to scents. Trout, snook, and stripper do not get mentioned in connection with scent fishing anywhere. Yes, some sporadic cases you will find it stated that this tactic is used with salmon as well. However, the best results are undoubtedly with the bass fishing.

Myth versus fact

Bass fishing with scent attractants has been thrown up so many times that it has almost become a myth. However it is not actually as effective as you would be led to believe. Indeed it does make a difference to the number of strikes you will get but then so will bettering your angling skills, your style of fishing, your bait type, and the list goes on. In other words, even though it has been proved that it does attract the bass, it is not really the ultimate weapon in the fisherman's arsenal; rather one among the multitude of skills he needs to use for bass fishing.

The controversy of whether it is or it isn't

Many anglers would vouch for the fact that bass fishing is definitely easier and more successful after the scents were added to bait while others refute such statements by saying that it really does not make that much of a difference, though they agree that it is visible that the bass react better to the bait with scent than to the bait which does not have scent. However, this does not in any way imply a magical bass fishing tool for the angler.

Other angles of thought

Let us leave aside for some time the question of whether bass fishing is really responsive to scents. Facts say that bass are put off by tobacco smell, detergent smell, bug (mosquito) repellant smell and even sun-block lotion. Now logically speaking, if the bass did not any power for smell, would this be possible? Then, one can logically deduct that the bass do have olfactory senses and that it can use it for defense. If they can do that, why can't bass use the same sense of smell to track food?

Many fishermen will tell you that the best way for bass fishing is to use motion; however we have an almost equal group of them advocating the use of scent as one of the best ways to catch bass.

Striped bass fishing is one of the many types of bass fishing that has become very popular in the last ten or fifteen years. Fishing for these incredible animals is both challenging and fun. Being that there is such a broad realm within the bass community, striped bass is in a category all its own.

Today we are going to discuss how you can get involved with this incredible opportunity and join the many enthusiastic anglers that have already been bitten by the striper bug.

Striped bass are most often called stripers and also rockfish because they can be frequently found in rocky areas that offer shelter and protection. There are several ways to catch these fish such as by casting, trolling and even bottom fishing. In most areas, stripers do not reproduce well requiring extensive game management and stocking. The best months for catching this game fish are late March through May. This is because striped bass begin to feed aggressively as they prepare to spawn.

Bait - Finding and using the right type of bait for stripers is the same as any other type of fishing. The more experienced striped bass fisherman will spend a lot of time looking for schools of baitfish. They know that when they find these schools that the fish will be very close by.

Casting or trolling with large plugs or fishing live bait under a bobber are all techniques that I have used when fishing for these animals. Chicken liver, normally a great bait for catfishing, has been a proven good choice as natural bait. The most effective artificial baits, in my experience, are spoons and rattle traps. Live shad are the bait of choice when using live bait because they are the primary forage food for stripers.

Tackle - You need to know the difference types of tackle used for striped bass fishing just as you need to know the types of tackle used for any other game fish. Fishermen use a variety of tackle and methods to catch these hard fighting fish. Some who enjoy the fight may use light tackle while others who prefer to put food on the table will use heavier tackle. In my case, I usually go with the heavier tackle because these bass are some of the biggest game fish out there reaching weights of over seventy pounds.

When it comes to bass fishing, striped bass fishing is one of the favorites for many and you can also find yourself hooked by this incredible experience. There is just no way to describe the exhilaration you feel when you hook into one of these monsters and you discover that you are in for the fight of your life. Good luck to you on your next fishing adventure.

Most people have lots of fun and excitement persuading fishing. Bass is no longer consumed as food by the majority of anglers but has made a successful entrance in the world of sports and the Americans constitute the maximum portion of bass fisher.

Since bass is no more treated as food so they are making an excellent target for fishing sport. Anglers catch basses, and released in tanks as soon as it is caught. They are treated for stress and injury to their slime coats, and then released back into the water. Anglers are seriously penalized for dead fishes in a contests or competition offline.

The increasing popularity of bass fishing offline is persuading the game developers to a bass fishing game online which can be bought or downloaded for free. Bass Masters Classic and SEGA Bass Fishing are the two tough bass fishing games that can be bought via the internet. The online fishing expeditions are endless when you choose the lake, the hot spot, the species, and even the weather. You can get yourself completely engrossed in a fishing quest alive with splashing fish, jumping frogs, dancing water bugs, rippling water, bouncing rod tips and the largest, toughest fighting bass ever created on a computer. You are also free from any kind of penalty in case any fish dies and are also far away from the fishy smells. Online Bass Fishing Games are programmed with different species of fish to maximize your fun.

Browsing net you will come across numerous free downloadable bass fishing games online and also paid Bass fishing games that are extremely affordable. These games allow you to fish to your heart's content from the comfort of your home. Some of the games give you the chance to use LAN and vie against your friends or other acute cyber space anglers over the internet. You will also come across several websites that has the option to download a free version of a game that helps you make a correct decision.

Bass Fishing Games is sure to satisfy your craving for fishing both online as well as offline. But there is one plus point fishing online besides several other advantages and that is you can go for fishing even if it is not the season for bass. There are several exciting and realistic free bass fishing games available for you online that you can play from the comfort of your house.

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Oklahoma bass fishing is extremely popular and enjoyed by anglers of all ages and skill levels. Gathering together with family or friends to go bass fishing is a great way to spend time with the ones you love and enjoy being with in your spare time. Many exciting stories began with a simple plan for spending the day on the lake or river fishing for bass.
Oklahoma has some of the best fishing spots in the world and the following tips and tactics can help you make your days or nights on the lakes and rivers of Oklahoma a wonderful experience that you will never forget. If you are a serious angler that enjoys spending your free time searching for that "big one" you will be happy to know that there is a very good chance you will find it in the waters of Oklahoma as many trophy bass fish have been caught there in the past.

Bass Fishing Tactics

The tactics you use are very important and will determine whether you have a good day bass fishing or a great day. Catching bass can be quite a challenge as they can put up a big fight and some of the trophy fish have been know to break lines and snap rods quite frequently. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry a variety of lures, lines and even rods with you on every trip so you can be prepared for anything.

Bass Fishing With Live Bait

Live bait is always a good choice when you are fishing for bass regardless of whether you go out on lakes or rivers. However, if you prefer not to use live bait then crankbaits, plastic worms, plugs, spoons and jigs are the best substitutes. Your main concern is to make sure whatever type of bait you decide to use is presented in such a way that it will attract the attention of the bass. If you are having problems catching bass spend some time practicing your presentation. You need to always keep an even but very slow movement to capture their interest and draw them toward your bait.

Bass Fishing With Surface Bait

Using surface bait can usually provide you some great results in the summer months when the bass are abundantly located in the shallow water. There are many different types of surface baits available for you to choose from such as the wobbler, buzzbait, floating minnow, prop bait, stickbait and poppers.

How to Dress for Bass Fishing

Always dress prepared for the weather when fishing in Oklahoma. Even in the spring you can expect the water to be cold and hard to swim in if the need arises. You can also expect cold fronts to move in rather quickly along with rain and cold winds. It is a good idea to carry an extra set of clothing just in case you get caught out in the rain. A warm jacket, gloves and raincoat are good to have on hand as well.

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Are you new at bass fishing? Are you searching for some great bass fishing secrets to help you get started? You have probably heard experienced anglers talk about the secrets they have learned throughout their years of bass fishing, well now you can know a few of them as well. If you follow the tips and suggestions that are listed below, you will be bass fishing like a pro before you know it.

Start by making sure you choose the right equipment. Your fishing rod and reel is a very important part of how successful your fishing trips will be. Every thing that you use is important right down to the hooks that you put on the end of your fishing line. Make sure that you only use hooks that are sharp and in good condition. When you begin to get a bite you can set the hook by jerking up lightly with a snap of the wrist and then you are ready to reel them in.

Food Source and Bait

Did you know that the mouth of the bass is so large and its stomach is so flexible that it can actually eat prey that is half of its own length? This is an example of the things that could help you become a better bass fisherman. One of the first things that you need to know about bass fishing is what type of food do they eat naturally. Learning about the natural food source of the bass will help you know what baits will work the best for each type of bass that you are going after. When the bass are small they feed off of very small crustaceans and then as they begin to grow they will move up to insects and very small fish. By the time the bass reaches adult size they eat frogs, crayfish, and worms.

The largemouth bass is pretty easy to catch because they will go after just about anything that touches the top of the water but some of the other types of bass may be a little harder to attract. Knowing what the bass eat naturally will help you choose your bait more wisely. Obviously, live bait is an excellent choice for bass fishing so anytime you can use live bait, do so. Just make sure that you keep a cooler with you to keep the bait fresh for the best results.

Of course, live bait is not always an option so it is good to know that you can still receive some great results with artificial bait. One of the best artificial baits to use would be spinnerbaits. They can be used close to the surface of the water or be used to fish out in the deeper water where the bass can be found during the heat of the day. Spinnerbaits can get deep into the areas and around structures where the bass live. They can be used as fast action bait for when the bass are active or slowed down when they are sluggish and slow moving. Another great thing about spinnerbait is that they are user friendly so they are great for both the beginner and the experienced angler.

Lucky Craft Pro Skeet Reese talks about fishing a drop shot as well as how to rig it properly.
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