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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.
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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 .
Go Fishing!
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