Learning About The Bass Itself

[bass1980]

I've been fishing for a long time to kill time but my passion was cars in the past. Recently I got introduced into bass tournaments and with older age I can't stand wrenching a car anymore and now I am totally hooked on bass fishing. I'm fishing small clubs that holds 5 tournaments a year and I am well behind a lot of anglers.

Last winter all I did was study study and study. Everything from rods n reels, techniques, lines, and lure presentation to name a few. Last summer I thought I did ok for it really being my rookie season tournament fishing. Now I want to know more! I feel like the biggest difference between me and the top guys here is just knowledge of the fish itself. Example our first tournament was held in spring. With last winter extending longer than normal the water temp couldn't get up to temp fast enough. So when opener hits a lot of the bass was still bedding. I didn't know that at the time and didn't do so well. Just the behavior of the fish itself is what I need to learn more.

So anyone knows where I can read/watch info on Bass? Not fishing, just on the fish itself and its behavior. I'm a huge nature guy and always watch National Geographic but I've never seen a show on Bass. I would like to know the fish more to understand when and where to look for them depending on season, water temp, forage, just to name a few. Thanks.

[IowaHusker28]

On the Website! Go to the "fishing articles" tab and go down to "fish facts". But I love watching seminars on youtube, not only about the fish but seminars that the pros speak. If you ever have the chance to attend one wether it be at BPS or at some event I highly recommend it. Also watching the Pro Patterns vids and just paying more attention to detail when its on tv or other video can make a huge difference on what you can pick up. But the Pro Patterns videos are AWESOME. 

[Oscar O.]

Indeed, this website has a wealth of information, even on the Bass itself so definitely go through the articles! Also do a thorough search on the internet, you'll have to wade through some tackle talk, but you'll also be able to find good information on the fish's nature and behavior. You can try using it's regular name or even scientific name for more biological information on a search engine. Another thing you can do is pop into your local bookstore and look for some books on the species. Once you get into the fishing section you should be able to find a couple on the Bass.

[WRB]

Looking at your profile doesn't help as you don't want to disclose anything about where you are located.

If you fish lakes that are reserviors classed as hill land or highland deep structure, then Bill Murphy's book In Pursuit of Giant Bass is appropriate and has good bass behavior information. You can PM me and I can send you my bass seasonal calendar with some general information that should help you.

Kieth Jones book on bass behavior, The Scientific Approach to Catching More Bass is expensive, good information depending on who you ask.

In-Fisherman has some published bass behavior books, mostly for the mid west region.

To understand bass behavior beyond what has been published requires getting to know their prey where you fish. Agian you will get mixed opinions on how important knowing prey preference is, it's important IMO.

Learning to use your sonar unit is critical for tournament anglers, suggest reading Don Iovino's book Finesse Fishing and the Sonar Connection.

If you are going to strive to be a top 10 club tournament angler, you need to learn a few presentations that consistantly catch 3+ lb bass and manage your time on the water focused on that goal.

Like racing you don't need to win every race, but that should be your goal. If you catch 15 lbs each tournament day you will end up near the top.

3 + lb bass are adult bass, don't bother catching juvenile size bass when tournament fishing.

Tom

[indianabasshunter]

Read In-Fisherman Critical Concepts Bass Book. There are three books in the series but the first one has exactly what you are looking for. It's loaded with information that has been scientifically proven. The last two books in the series repeat a lot of what is already in the first book.

[basscatcher8]

Largemouth Bass by Infisherman and The Last Smallmouth by Tony Bean are two books I have read recently and really enjoyed Tony's book is more geared to what you want as the Infisherman book does cover more about presentation rather then nature of the fish. Tony talks about presentation but spends more time talking about fish movements and how they establish a home area and move around the home area. I have both of those on my droid so i can sit whenever i get a free minute at work or where ever to read em.

 

WRB Im going to go check out Don Iovino's book you speak of that sparks my interest I'm going to go see if I can find it online.

[Sam]

If you can find DVDs:

Homer Circle and Glen Lau plus other pros:

Bigmouth

Bigmouth Forever

Bass in Heavy Cover

Feeding Habits of Bass

Surface Lures and Buzz Baits

 

Anything by Kevin VanDam, Ike, Woo Daves, Denny Brauer and other favorite pros. Check out their web sites and Amazon.com for any publications available.

 

Bass Times

 

B.A.S.S.'s Bassmasters Magazine

 

Look for articles and videos regarding bass behavior. Very interesting subject when you throw in barometric pressure; cold fronts; water clarity; structure; cover; time of the year; spawning; and anything you can find about bass behavior.

 

Very crafty little green monster!!!

[Sam]

P.S.  If you add your geographical location we can give you better input since different parts of the country have different tactics.

[Catt]

What the Pros know that you do not!

What structure is, how to truely identify it, interpret it, and fish it effectively.

What the predominate prey species is in your lake and how that species relates to structure morning, noon, and night...with each passing season.

Next after location is timing, just because you didn't get bit does not mean the bass aren't there or you tied on the wrong lure.

To consistently catch bass is a process of elimination and duplucation. Eliminate patterns and waters that are non-productive and duplicate patterns and waters that are productive.

[bass1980]

Sorry guys I guess I never really gave it a thought about my profile in all my years on forums. I'm from Twin Cities MN. Lake Minnetonka is my favorite lake.

[WRB]

Big natural lake in the far frozen north!

The In-Fisherman books are perfect for you. If you can find In-Fisherman early fishing reports like "weeds the key to bass location" and "bass in the slop" in natural northern lakes that is priceless, will look through my archives for it.

Bass behavior is different in northern natural lakes then typical reservior impoundments in the southern region.

One reason is bass are not the prime predator, musky and pike are. The prey source are mostly dermasil, not pelagic bait like shad.

My in laws lived in MN and Ontario and fished there a few times, not that knowledgable with largemouth and smallmouth in big natural lakes.

Tom

[bass1980]

Hey guys thanks so much for all the tips. I forgot to add one thing. I have been searching the web but I find that most of the information relates more towards southern waters. I would really like to know more about northern natural lakes and how bass behave in our time frame. Our opener isn't until may 29th-ish. I will look into In Fishermen and all that was suggested.

Anyone else have suggested please fill in. Again thanks everyone.

[RoLo]

Every manmade impoundment has its own personality but if your mainly interested in natural lakes, you've got it made.
I've lived in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and vacationed extensively in Canada.  Whether it's a natural lake in Florida or Canada,

target the same contours & cover, fish the same lures and use the same delivery techniques (don't believe the hype).

 

Roger

[Fish'N Impossible]

I actually went through the same thing. I grew up on a farm and hunting was our passtime. When i started focusing my attention on bass I handled it the same way as hunting, get to know your prey. I delved into the science (anotomy, Habitat, Migration patterns ect). it actually helped for me A LOT! 

 

A decent place to go for information on this is the introductory course of Faculty of Fishing it does cost a little money but the information is good. Just if you do that get a notebook and take really detailed notes because once you watch each lesson it is done. (you can pause and go back while the lesson is playing though). And of course the forums here are amazing. there is alot of information to gather here and it is pretty effectively divided into base catogories.

 

 

 

Good luck on your bass education how ever you decide to do it.