| What is it in bass fishing that everybody is driven | | | | the water clarity of your location. |
| on to engage in such a sport? People get fond of | | | | 5. Water temperatures |
| bass fishing. That is why every trend that they | | | | 6. Seasonal patterns- this is in relation with the |
| hear about in bass fishing really catches their | | | | trend whether bass fishing is seasonal or not. |
| interests. As much as possible they get into it and | | | | 7. Locating structure areas |
| become passionate about the subject. | | | | 8. Finding vegetation areas |
| Where are the bass? Where are the bass? How | | | | But there is more! Being a consistent bass angler |
| many of the anglers (tournament and | | | | is so much more than just getting in your boat, |
| recreational) go to a body of water you've never | | | | hitting the water, and casting your baits. That's |
| fished before, drop the boat in the water, then, | | | | why bass tournaments are so competitive and |
| ask this question to themselves? This is probably | | | | exciting, because the more you learn about |
| one of the biggest topics in bass fishing that an | | | | locating bass the quicker you can start catching |
| angler should learn more about. | | | | them right? And hey, isn't that half the battle? |
| Here you will be getting information on how to | | | | Let's start by looking at a lake map. There are |
| locate areas best for bass fishing. | | | | two general types of lake maps that most |
| Locating bass and understanding the water would | | | | anglers will use which are referred to as the; Hot |
| be the number one question among bass anglers | | | | Spot and Topographical maps. The differences |
| today. The next most asked question would be | | | | between the two is that a Topo map shows |
| which baits they should use to catch a "big" bass. | | | | more detail, and the Hot Spots map shows more |
| Now when you think about it, there are really only | | | | fishing spots (well, at least they are supposed to). |
| two (2) main topics that go hand-in-hand when it | | | | The secret (or key) in learning how to use a lake |
| comes to bass fishing. If you understood more | | | | map would be to sector the map. What I mean |
| about these two, you would definitely become a | | | | by this is that I will take the map and study it for |
| much better angler, and they are: | | | | a moment (looking for areas where the fish would |
| 1. Knowing how to locate bass. | | | | most likely be.) Next, I will (using a highlighter) |
| 2. Knowing how to catch bass using all the | | | | divide the map in sections based on how much |
| different techniques, presentations, and baits. | | | | time I have to pre-fish for a tournament or how |
| Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of | | | | many days I have to just fish the body of water |
| a challenge to most anglers because there are so | | | | for fun. |
| many different factors that need to be | | | | The size of the sections will vary depending on |
| determined such as: | | | | contours, structure, and how many places I may |
| 1. Knowing how to read a map - this is the | | | | want to check out during the course of the day |
| fundamental skill that you should try to learn | | | | based on what the map shows me. I am certainly |
| because through a map it is easier for you to | | | | not one to just cast bait into the water and work |
| take on the appropriate location good for bass | | | | it for five minutes and leave; I will try an |
| fishing. | | | | assortment of baits if I see signs of fish in any |
| 2. Knowing the most practical places to look for | | | | given area to try to establish a working pattern. |
| Active Bass just after cold fronts and during early | | | | Here are some key elements that you can usually |
| spring and late fall periods. Weather conditions | | | | look for when it comes to locating bass on any |
| must be especially considered as well. | | | | given body of water: |
| 3. Understanding water depth- this is an important | | | | 1. Vegetation areas |
| element because the depth or the hollowness of | | | | 2. Irregular contours |
| the water will serve as a factor for you to know | | | | 3. Shallow water close to deep water areas |
| if it is a good location. | | | | 4. Points and point drops |
| 4. Water clarity- it could be easier for you to do | | | | 5. |
| your bass fishing if you are well-oriented about | | | | |