Bass Fishing 101
(How to find and fish for big bass)

Bass fishing on the fly is rapidly becoming a favorite pass time for many fly anglers. The places they live, and the techniques used to lure them from those places, present a challenge that is very different from trout fishing.Though bass fishing, is in some ways similar to trout angling, you are casting to very different creatures. This requires fisherman in pursuit of these fish, to take the time to learn what the basses world is all
about.

The art of consistently hooking these warm water predators, is one that I have spent most of my life trying to master. Still after many years of fishing, the excitement of a large ill tempered bass slamming my fly, keeps me coming back for more. The skills I've acquired while fly rodding for bass, have helped me in every other type of fishing I do. I truly believe that bass fishing, and learning the techniques to present your flies to these creatures will make you the best angler you can be.

Were they live

Bass are probably the most adaptable game fish in North America. Found in rivers, lakes, creeks, and farm ponds, they can live in a variety of water conditions. The best condition for finding healthy bass will be in warm, slow moving, or still water, with plenty of structure for them find shelter in. Structure such as downed trees, weed beds, tulles, and stumps with exposed root system, are essential in having a quality bass fishery.

Man made structure like docks, cement pilings, and boat ramps are also
prime spots to find big fish. Even litter disposed in our rivers and lakes can make a nice home for bass. Old tires, discarded shrubbery, and even the odd sunken car or boat can surprisingly yield trophy fish. These different forms of structure have a few things in common, they all provide the fish with protection, and give them an advantage point to ambush there prey. Look for areas such as these when your
prospecting for bass.

What They Eat

Bass feed on a variety of bait fish such as, shad, blue gill, crayfish, sculpin, and even their own offspring. Frogs, mice, grass hoppers, adult dragon flies, are an opportunistic, yet important part of a basses diet. Though I have read articles to the contrary, aquatic insects are not included in the diet of big fish. Small fish that must eat anything that crosses their path to survive, are about the only takers I have ever
had on nymphs. The six, to eight pound fish landed on a size fourteen damsel fly nymph, just doesn't happen very often.

Big bass situate themselves on the prime areas of structure, providing the highest numbers of baitfish, with the most stealthy angle of attack. Like a Lion hunting a gazelle, the bass will stalk and observe their prey, until time to strike. To expend the least amount of energy, and receive an ample supply of nourishments from that meal, they will feed on the largest, weakest prey available.

Make sure you acquire detailed knowledge of the species of bait fish that are in the water you are fishing. Try to learn what size baitfish the bass are targeting at the time of year you are fishing. Don't waste time fishing patterns that are not mimicking native forage. You may stick a few if you do, but I find when you "match the hatch" of the bait fish you are fishing, your catch rate will be much higher.

Equipment

You will want a nine foot seven to nine weight rod with a fast action. This is so you can turn over your flies properly, and haul those big beast out of the tangled mess of weeds and limbs they live in. Your line is very important. A dark color, or completely clear line, that will not spook a shallow fish when you are casting, is of the highest importance.

Your reel is there to hold your line and dose not have to be the new $400 state of the art devices, a shop might try to sell you. (The fisherman that pauses long
enough to put a bass on the reel, will give that fish ample time to tangle you line in the structure of there under water homes). You will be fishing tippet between eight and twenty pound test, and stripping a bass in on that heavy tippet wont be a problem at all. You will either have a weak knot, or literally be trying to break the line, if you lose a well hooked fish by stripping her in. A moderately priced disc drag or spring and pawl reel is really all you need.

Boats are good tools to have when serious about bass
angling. Canoes are my personal craft of choice. With the use of a trolling motor, canoes provide good stealthy access to your favorite bass fishing hole. Those candy apple red bass boats do have there place, but at times they can spook more fish than they will boat for you. I try and shy away from the use of float tubes. They just do not have the mobility you will need, nor are you high enough off the water to fish
effectively.

How to catch them.

I could write a novel the size of war and peace on bass fishing techniques. I find that getting out there, and wetting a line, is the best way to learn how to catch them. You will have to throw casts, that you will wonder if there is even a name for, (and there probably wont be). That is the wonderful thing about bass fishing. Each type of structure that you will fish, requires a different technique to fish it properly. That is the biggest draw bass fishing offers to me. The constantly changing conditions, and the variety of water in which you will learn to fish, will set bass fishing apart from any
other type of fishing you will do.

In all seriousness, reading books, articles, and watching instructional videos are a good start. If you wish to really learn what it takes to hook bass consistently, take out a guide, or fish with some one who knows what they are doing, and who is patient enough to instruct you.

Bass fishing is a great buddy sport, and most bass anglers wont mind sharing their knowledge with you. Taking out an experienced guide, especially if you haven't fished their water before, will be the most effective way to find the best spots. Learn their secret holes, and acquire the techniques used to catch fish in them. You can then return to their spots with a lifetime of knowledge, and experience under you belt, only a day of fishing with a good guide can provide.

Bass fly rodding is a major passion in my life. There is no way to express the feeling you will have, once you have learned to consistently produce trophy fish. That will only come from getting out there and doing it. So, what are you waiting for? The lunkers are waiting for your arrival.

 

By. Steve B Walser