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5 Part Bass Fishing Ecourse!
Subject: Here's how you go about Learning Bass
Fishing...
1. Part 1 - Tools of the trade
2. Part 2 - Knowing and going where
the fish are.
3. Part 3 - Techniques for Bass
fishing like a Pro!
4. Part 4 - Mistakes and secrets to
Bass fishing.
5. Part 5 - Styles and
specialty Bass fishing techniques.
Let's go ahead & get started with "Part 1 - Tools of the trade".
Part 1 - Tools of the trade
============================
Having the right equipment, knowing how to best use it, when and how,
(also how not to use it and what it is not suitable for), can all help
you in your bass fishing adventure.
The basics regarding rods, reels, line, hooks, weights, bobbers,
sinkers, lures, sensors and other equipment (hats, vests, nets, scents,
scissors etc.), gives you an appreciation for having the right tools for
the task(s) at hand.
As a highly participatory and engaging sport, Bass fishing is simply
almost unparalleled in the vast amount of styles and tools to use. From
quiet streams, tranquil lakes to open sea and rushing rivers - there is
something for everyone.
If you are looking for quick tips on the right equipment, most suited to
your purpose and the techniques to master to catch bass in any
conditions, might this next section enlighten and inspire you, as you
delve right into the 'utilities of the fishing trade'. Some tools of the
bass fishing trade, we will be focusing on are:
* Rods, Reels, Lines and Hooks
* Tackle: Lures and Bait - live - artificial and, or, BUT YET�
Limited space does not permit large comparative explanations or
ramblings on the merit of some tools above certain others. These debates
are well known and well published in existing literature. We take a more
practical approach and look at what you will actually need to hook your
next big one, besides random chance and luck! We like to point out that
picking the right equipment means a lot of different thing to different
people. Each angler has his/her own interpretation of what that means,
varying skill level, physical characteristics and strengths/weaknesses,
so we will not profess knowing what is right for you. What we do offer
are mere suggestions on which tools will stack the odds in your favor
and help you enjoy preparing, rigging, baiting/hooking, retrieving and
landing YOUR next BIG ONE! Ensuring that is does not join the droves of
'the ones that got away'!
Next part we'll be discussing a little about "Knowing and going where
the fish are".
Part 2 - Knowing and going where the fish are.
============================
Bass defined: A fighter, ever-elusive, choice game-fish, predator by
nature and reputation, the one sought-after, prized hook, catch, reel-in
and land, of many an aspiring angler.
How to catch Bass AND then catch more, larger bass, more often, in more
places, with more consistency, having a pro-active plan and approach,
stacking the odds in your favor to succeed, catching more fish and
enjoying the process, is what this basic guide is all about.
The hunter becomes the hunted - learn how a small change in your
paradigm, thinking and approach can lead to bass-angling success! Start
thinking like the watery hunter, become and understand the bass as a
hunter. Observe, learn, follow, study and use its natural habit,
preferences, patterns, habits, prey and choice of food, in your
angling-strategy, and you will have some interesting fish-tales to tell.
(None of them tall tales of course, we hope!)� and yes, we may even
learn something from the ones that get/got away!
So, without further ado, let us get our rods and reels going�
If you were told that, there is one particular species of fish that most
would describe as tough-minded, smart, outwitting and elusively hard to
catch, then it the Bass - in all its shapes, sizes, iterations and
sub-classes.
It rings true, no matter what the context, body of water, special and or
any situation or condition, regardless of secrets, tips, proven science,
technique and intent in the world! Bass fishing is challenging and
rewarding at the same time. To ensure hours of countless pleasure,
follow the pointers (and add some of your own here too!) provided here,
for Bass fishing 101 and be ready to hook the next big one� repeatedly,
and actually be able to ENJOY it too!
Next part we'll be discussing a little about "Techniques for Bass
fishing like a Pro".
Part 3 - Techniques for Bass fishing like a Pro
============================
The art of accurate casting
Mastering basic casting is key. Most spinning and bait-casting reel and
rod combinations today, are made for hassle-free, ease-of-use
flexibility by a variety of anglers (multi-level at that too!)
Try to eliminate errors from your basic style and technique. Skill and
accuracy should matter more than strength and it is not always about
getting it as far out, as fast as you possibly can (although this might
be important in certain situations and circumstances too!)
Casting, getting your line/hook/bait, sinkers, weights and leaders in
and into the water, at the exact right depth, imitating 'prey', and
doing so with extreme, pin-point accuracy, is what this is all about.
Hitting your target with confidence is a very basic skill to master and
refine. Getting the hook out to exactly where you wanted it to be, what
you should practice and work for.
Casting is one part of this process, getting the lure to the right depth
quite another. Advanced bass anglers suggest using a countdown OR
counting method. Quite simple really. Form the moment the bait hits the
water, start counting, 1000, 1000 and 1, 1000 and 2, 1000 and 3�
estimating the seconds it will take for it to 'drop' into the water.
This will help you know better what you are doing, when it hits the
bottom for example, whether or not it got caught on something in the
process etc. YOU establish reference points for yourself on and in the
water.
Hands-on and rod in-hand is the best way. Practice-plugs in the park, or
your own backyard (be it on 'dry land', so to speak), will make you that
more effective and accurate, in and on the water, no matter what the
body of water, or style of fishing you choose to pursue. Whether
spinning, bait casing or fly-rodding, there is something for every
taste. Even missed targets, attempts and failure, are also good
teachers, as this technique is somewhat of a routine you can master and
learn.
Next part we'll be discussing a little about "Mistakes and secrets to
Bass fishing".
Part 4 - Mistakes and secrets to Bass fishing
============================
As we have discovered throughout these pages, there is a lot more the
bass fishing than meets the eye. Once you are familiar with the species,
different bodies of water, different and sophisticated fishing and
angling equipment and accessories, as well as familiarizing yourself
with habits, patterns and nature, behavior, natural diet and preferred
foods, mastering some basic skills like preparation, presentation,
tackle, bait and lures, casting accuracy, knots, hooks and the
intricacies and complexities in retrieval and landing, the journey has
but started. There is so much more to explore and learn about an through
the activity, sport, art and competitive science that is bass fishing,
that we can almost say no more than the water await and let's go!
Although, there are some last thoughts we can offer on some of the more
common casting mistakes. These 'errors' are well-documented in existing
literature and easily overcome, to optimize your bass fishing experience
and haul. Here are but a few issues most beginners struggle with:
(i)overshot lure with too much power in the initial cast and the line
release not slowed, or (ii) the lure falling short or being too light,
with the line being release too early during the cast and or the rod
held too high after the line was released. (iii) lure landing too hard,
due to the release at too low of an angle and not arching enough in the
air , and (iv) inaccurate casting (the most common) - missing the mark,
where the lure goes off-course with too much side-to-side
action/motioning of the rod while casting. Practicing reel and line
control, as well as the overhead cast might help.
Lots of texts (like the Dorling Encyclopedia mentioned earlier, pg.
212-213), suggests thinking of 'casting', compared to the movement of
the arms on a clock-face, beginning in the two o'clock position, pushing
back to around the noon-position and back to the 2 again, with the rod
slightly lowered as the lure drops deeper into the water. For most
beginners this 'visualization' often helps refine technique.
Next part we'll be discussing a little about "Styles and specialty Bass
fishing techniques".
Part 5 - Styles and specialty Bass fishing techniques
============================
Skipping
This technique might remind you a lot of throwing rocks onto the surface
of the water to see it 'skip'. As a water/top-water disturbance and
movement simulator, it triggers and teases our predator to come up and
see what is there to eat/attack.
Spinning rods and reel combo is best used for this technique - perfect
for fishing and reaching bass where they swim and hide under piers,
docks and pontoons. Also useful for getting under and into underbrush
and growth. Remember their 'comfort zone'. On sunny days, bass look for
shade, food and shelter and often rest here in shady areas, under cover
of structure.
Ripping
Some call this the throw it out, twitch, jerk and go method. A
medium-action rod with parabolic bend and action to it. If might
actually trick our bass-friend into thinking there is a 'wounded' prey
around. Like a pro, let the worm drop and settle to the bottom,
remaining there for a period of time. Reel some slack out of the line,
picking up the worm with a long, sharp upsweep of the rod tip. Let 'er
rip! Let it drop down again to the bottom, under tension while slowly
lowering the rod tip - keep on imitating live prey like this, moving,
swimming and bobbing about and your predator will strike it with a
vengeance.
Drift Trolling
Trailing behind the boat, covering the bottom worms crawl and move,
simulating prey in its purest form. Raise and lower it occasionally,
looking natural and alluring to any bass in the vicinity hunting for a
tasty morsel.
This concludes our 5 part ecourse on "Bass Fishing .
Take Care
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