Techniques

[jwo1124]

Does anyone find themselves changing lures/techniques alot while fishing. From all the articles I have read there are different lures/presentations that are best for a given spot or time of year, or time of day etc. So, on a given day do you guys find yourselves changing things up alot? Do you just pick one or two patterns and fish a specific technique? Or do you just pick a couple lures andlet them dictate where and how you fish?

Even though I have indulged myself in fishing with a mind like a sponge for almost ten years now, in the fishing world I am still pretty much a noobie considering that you can fish well into old age, which I am a far way from. So, I am still trying to learn as much as possible since most of my bass fishing was originally with crawlers and shiners, the past few years I have been getting into bank beating with artificials but being confinded to the shoreline for alot of my fishing was really hindered my evolving. It seems like my knowledge of fishing is starting to surpass my experience since I am stuck on shore most of the time. And even when I get to get out on the water it's only in an electric powered 12' row boat. It's better than nothing, and I guess it's a good start, but I want more out of a passion as great as fishing. As we all do.

Just looking for as much advice, tips, info as possible, and I know this is the best place for it.

[Guest muddy]

Go on top of the page, second from the left ARTICLES>>>there is a ton of information and articles on

Here is the link

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/features.html#techniques

[Bassbum]

Start by fishing your "strengths"........

Are you a good jig fisherman, or maybe crankin' is your thing...

I usually try to limit myself to 4 rods on my deck, which will cover

the water columns from top to bottom, but each set up I am

extremely confident with.

This allows me to cover water quickly and find active fish.Then I'll slow

down and pick the area apart.

[tntitans21399]

I usually have different rods with different setups, different lines for different lures.  I usually have 2 for spinnerbaits, so I don't have to spend time tying on new ones, I usually have a spinner on one and a buzzbait on the other.  Then I have 2 for cranks, new for heavier and one for smaller.  Then I have one for jigs/chatterbaits.  A couple for plastics, one jigged for drop shots, and one for light weight small plastics, and the last with heavier line for longer plastics or for going throw weeds.  That's just the rods, and I have quick snaps so I change lures quickly.

If something isn't working I will change after I give it enough time at that lure.  I also have so many different types so I don't have to spend anytime wasting tying nots, I just pick up the rod with that on it.  And if you snap my line, I just put it to the side and pick up the next rod, I don't have to spend that time getting it ready.  I can do that at home during the week.  

I remember one time I caught 3 different Bass in the same area with 3 different types of lures.  They would bit one, then not go after it again, then a new lure they would go after that one then stop, and then same with the last one.

Then during the summer night fishing, I wasn't having any luck so I pretty much tried every thing in my bag, and tried different presentations.  I think the very hot 100+ days made it basically impossible to catch a fish, but I eventually caught a fish that night.  Some times it may hurt you to have so many types but others times it is good.

[Sam]

JWO,

One of the most difficult things you have to do when bass fishing is to get ready and select the set-ups and lures you think will produce.

Easier said than done.  There are so many variables that sometimes you just have to let your "gut feeling" lead you in the right direction based on the waters you will be fishing.

After you have your set-ups and lures you have to hit the water and experiment.

Buzzbaits in the early AM are always a good bait, followed by your topwaters.

Then you have to use your search baits, like crankbaits and spinnerbaits, to cover a lot of water to see what the fish are hitting.

Or, just start throwing your plastics at the bank, either Texas or wacky rigged.  Then throw your jigs and pigs next to the structure.

You have to let the fish tell you what they want and how they want it.  Slow, fast, against structure, off the bank, in open water, on the bottom, in shallow water, etc.  The fish have to tell you what they will strike and then you use that information and fish until that bite ends.

As for techniques, it is a very important part of bass fishing.  When throwing crankbaits to see where the fish are you can retrieve them fast, slow, fast and stop, slow and stop, onto the bank and then into the water back to the boat, into the structure or parallel to the structure (trees in the water), around boat docks, over, under and around pilings or rocks and at what depth?

You just have to try until you find what they want.  This means throwing the crankbait 10 to 15 times at one tree in the water and from all angles. Then following up with a Texas-rigged finesse worm or a jig and pig. Then throw a wacky worm or a spinnerbait or a fluke at the same structure using different retrieves.

When you do get a bite, remember the details of how far from shore, the depth, the color and type of the bait, line test poundage, your retrieve, how hard did they take the bait and any other details.

I wish there was a secret article on which techniques to use for all occassions. But there is not as all bass fishermen use their own techniques.  And we use the ones we are comfortable throwing.

So don't miss out on the fun of bass fishing...trying to figure out what the fish want, where and when.

Just remember, each day is different so what works today will not work tomorrow.

Drives you crazy! ;D

[fishfordollars]

Remember lures are just tools to help you. Use the tool that best allows you to cover the type of water and structure you are fishing. I never have a favorite, however I do have strengths and I try to find the type of water and cover that gives me an advantage or the confidence to do the job.

[Crestliner2008]

JWO - You are off on a great start with that boat. It will free you from the bank and let you exercise some of the knowledge you are obviously getting from these fishing forums. One thing you may want to invest in is a Bottom Line "Fishing Buddy" sonar, which will clamp on the gunnel of your boat. This rather inexpensive - but quite adequate - tool will allow you see what you have learned. And get you to that next level. And, maybe next season we can tie up and I can show you a few things.

[Brian_Reeves]

If I'm fishing a new body of water during any time of the year, I'll usually start out with the same few baits (colors varying).  I'll have a 3/8oz jig, a 1/2oz spinnerbait with small, double willow blades, a rattletrap type bait, a fat ika or fluke, and a carolina rig.  These lures are pretty much guarentees for me.  I'll throw in floating rapalas, spit'n images, poppers, and frogs when I need topwaters, but I am pretty picky about when and where I throw my topwaters.  Most of the time, you'll catch me with either a jig or a trap on the end of my line.

[Gatorbassman]

I was a bank fisherman for over 12 years so I have put some time into maximizing my limitations. When I bank fished all the time I carried three rods. A spinning rod with 8lb line, two baitcasters with 12lb and 17lb line. My most important piece of equipment is a good pair of polarized sunglasses. When I'm searching for fish I am not only looking for fish that will bite, I am looking for fish that follow my lure. My favorite search baits are a white fluke and a trickworm. No matter what time of year it is fish will follow these lures almost all the way to the bank. When I see a follower I make a mental note of where the fish came from and where I was standing. Then I move down the bank and keep searching. I come back to that spot 10 or 15 minutes later. When I get back to that spot I like to start slow. I pull out the spinning rod with a 1/4oz Spot Remover Jighead with a finesse worm and toss it in that area and let it sit for ten seconds or so and the give it a hop or to and let it sit again. I work it back to me and try to fan cast the area before turning up the heat. I then go back to the fluke and this time I work it a little different then the time the fish was following it. If that doesn't work I grab my other rod that usually has a lipless crankbait or a spinner bait on it and try to get a reaction strike. If I still don't get bit I move on down the bank and start all over. I may come back to that spot later in the day.

By doing it this way I have accomplished several things. I have located fish, used three different techniques to find out if the fish are feeding on the bottom or top, and if they want it slow or fast. If they are feeding on the bottom I might change to a short leader Carolina Rig just to cover more water and keep it close to the bottom. If they want it small and are located in submerged grass I will change spinning rod to a split shot rig. If they are relating to brush or stumps I'll keep fishing the Spot Remover.  If they want it fast or are just reaction striking I might change to a spinnerbait or a crankbait.

[jwo1124]

Thanks for that advice Fluke. It helps. I definately have to start working the bottom more. Being a bank fisher I find it hard because once you cast out and let the lure sink even a few feet and work it back, you are missing a lot of ground right belows where your lure lands on the cast.

Saying, if you cast your lure into water that is 6-8 feet deep, and the fish are relating to the bottom, and you are pulling your lure right over their head, they may not come up that extra 3-5 feet to chase that lure.

I just dont really have confidence in techniques like drop shot, carolina, and bottom bouncing.

Guess I should put it some practice with these techniques.