Picture this scene: The setting Sun just dropped below the distant tree line, the water is calm and a light breeze is blowing. As you reach for the tackle box to pack up something catches your eye-a swirl in the water over near a fallen tree. You quickly pull out a Carolina rigged plastic worm and snap it onto the line. The lure makes a gentle splash about three feet beyond where you saw the disturbed water. A few turns on the reel and...BAM! I big fella hits the lure.
The adrenalin begins to pump through your body. The big fish breaks the surface and then dives back under-tugging fiercely.
The thrill of hooking a keeper, a largemouth bass, has no equal. And if you are new to bass fishing or an old timer like me, memories of past catches fly before your eyes.
Largemouth bass have been challenging anglers for more years than anyone can remember. Their range covers much of North America so one doesn't have to travel far for the chance to land a trophy.
Time was when all an angler carried to the lake was a cane pole and an old soup can full of red wigglers.
Today's bass fisherman is far better equipped: Top of the line rod, reel and a dozen or so assorted lures of all sizes shapes and colors. His bass boat has a GPS, a depth finder and a marine VHF radio so he can keep up with what is going on around the lake.
Whether you are a newly minted angler or an experienced semi-pro, there is always something missing from your education. Walk into most sporty goods shops and look over the gear. Do they categorize lures and related fishing gear so you'll know what lures to buy, what is the best tackle? Nope. You are on your own. And none of this stuff comes with an instruction manual.
Anyway, good fishing technique begins with knowing how to cast whatever lure you plan to use. Here are a few basic tips that may help you:
On the water or on the shore, select a position based on the clarity of the water. Get too close and that sly old bugger will see you and skedaddle. Just be close enough to be accurate in placing the lure.
Aim for a point a couple of feet beyond your target so the splash won't frighten him too much.
Practice casting with a low trajectory. Use sidearm or underhand launches. Keep it low to the water, especially if it's windy to prevent side slipping.
If it is windy, tighten up the slack to keep the line taught before the lure splashes in. You don't want the wind blowing the line into thick reeds or over-hanging branches.
Before casting drop the lure 8-10 inches from the rod's tip for added momentum.
It's all in the wrist. Use very little arm and shoulder movement when making the cast.
Use a rod that is fairly stiff but with some flex in the last several inches.
As time goes by I'll be posting other articles covering much more information. There are many factors to consider to really get good at bass fishing, like what is the best lure under different circumstances, what color lure works best in murky water, where to find the big ones when the weather begins to turn foul. You can get a bass fishing education like I did when I found "Bass Fishing Exposed," an e-book written by a top professional that is available for instant download. Check out my review of "Bass Fishing Exposed" on my website. See you out by the lake!
Catch the Big Ones HERE!