| Trying to land that big trophy bass? You'll need | | | | bass. |
| five percent luck and ninety five percent smarts. | | | | 7. Look for vegetation. Bass are predators, and |
| You've got a lot to learn before you can fish for | | | | will naturally stay close to their prey. Weed beds |
| bass, including where to locate them and how to | | | | are filled with frogs, insects and other bass treats. |
| handle their habitat. | | | | Use live bait or choose a lure made for weed |
| Many pro and recreational anglers expect to hook | | | | beds, such as plugs or small floating minnows. |
| a bass as soon as they drop their lines into a new | | | | Anchor your boat near the edge of the weed |
| body of water. They wonder why the bass aren't | | | | bed and cast alongside the weeds. As the name |
| striking, even though they haven't taken the time | | | | suggests, the right tackle will "lure" a fish out of |
| to familiarize themselves with the water, above | | | | hiding. |
| and below the surface. | | | | 8. Mind your map. You won't find the bass in the |
| There's no luck involved in locating the best bass | | | | lake if you can't find the lake on a map. If you're |
| fishing spots. It really is a science, and you'll need | | | | fishing foreign territory, the ability to read a map |
| to do some homework. Understand the water, | | | | is crucial to your bass fishing success. Sometimes, |
| the climate and the season. | | | | local tackle shops will have maps available with |
| There are several important factors to keep in | | | | prime fishing spots marked right on them. Hot |
| mind when finding sweet spots swimming with | | | | spot and topographical maps are two popular |
| hungry bass: | | | | choices for anglers. Hot spot maps are made to |
| 1. Your fishing expedition will naturally be affected | | | | show anglers where fish can be found, but the |
| by seasonal patterns. Know the patterns of the | | | | natural migration trends prevent accuracy. |
| bass; where they go after spawning, and how | | | | Topographical maps show the lakes in more detail, |
| they migrate throughout the season. Be a | | | | with rocks, water depth and other features |
| responsible angler and respect your seasonal limits. | | | | clearly shown. |
| Government resource ministries protect the | | | | Knowing how to sector a map is the key to using |
| species by setting bass season in accordance with | | | | it correctly. Study your map carefully and look for |
| natural spawning patterns. | | | | areas where fish are most likely to be found. |
| 2. Understand the seasons. Weather conditions | | | | Divide the map into sections with a colored pen or |
| are particularly important for successful bass | | | | highlighter. An experienced angler will use the |
| fishing. Bass are most active just after cold fronts | | | | sections to determine where to fish, depending on |
| and during early spring and late fall periods. Know | | | | the amount of time they have to spend on the |
| where to fish, and when to fish. | | | | water. The size of the sections can also vary |
| 3. Determine the water depth. Different types of | | | | depending on structures, contours and how many |
| bass can be found in variable water depths. | | | | different areas will be fished. It's important to |
| Lakebed materials, natural cover and nearby | | | | take your time, and don't give up too quickly on |
| weed beds are other factors to consider. Bass | | | | your chosen spot. |
| can be found in shallow water, provided there are | | | | A consistent bass angler knows that success |
| sufficient natural covers in place. If you're fishing | | | | depends on more than simply dropping anchor and |
| on a hot, sunny day, however, try to avoid fishing | | | | casting the line. That's why competitive bass |
| shallow areas. Your choice of bait is also | | | | tournaments are so exciting. Try to think like a |
| dependant on the depth of the water. | | | | bass, and look for the spots that other anglers |
| 4. Water clarity means a lot to fish. Everyone | | | | might have missed. |
| prefers clear water -- particularly the fish that | | | | Always remember those important factors in |
| need to live and breathe in it. Avoid murky and | | | | finding sweet spots for bass: |
| swampy areas. | | | | * Vegetation areas |
| 5. Water temperature is important. When water | | | | * Shallow water next to deeper spots |
| drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the natural | | | | * Shoreline and lakebed contours |
| food chain will be affected. If it's too warm, on | | | | * Try your luck at shore points and point drops |
| the other hand, the fish simply won't bite. | | | | * Search out artificial and natural structures |
| 6. Find sunken treasure. Bass love to seek shelter | | | | The key to locating bass is your understanding of |
| among submerged branches and structures. Look | | | | the water. If you find a spot that you think is |
| for trees that have fallen into the water, old | | | | prime for bass, be patient. Bass can be stubborn |
| building foundations and even boat docks. Some | | | | and slow to strike, and it can take a lot of |
| bass species love to hide out in rock beds and | | | | repetitive action to lure them out of hiding. Try |
| under ledges, so try those areas as well. If you | | | | several techniques and different types of bait. |
| can find a structure hidden beneath the surface | | | | Before long, you'll establish a working pattern and |
| of the water, you'll like be able to lure out a big | | | | land that big bass. |