Thursday, October 15, 2009

Lake Bass: Fall Lake Bass Fishing

Lake Bass: Fall Lake Bass Fishing

When it comes to landing that prized lake bass, perhaps the best time of the year would have to be fall lake bass fishing. While most people love to fish in the summer usually on their vacation, spring and fall lake bass fishing tend to yield the best results. During the early spring is a great time to fish for lake bass, as this is generally known as the pre-spawn period. The best time to fish for lake bass however, is in the fall as they all tend to group together in what is known as the staging areas. Fall fishing allows the angler to find many groups of bass congregating in small schools near the banks or marshy areas to feed.

When the fall lake bass fishing season kicks in, is a time when the lake bass are slower as they are now looking for shallow spawning beds. As the lake bass are obsessed with reproduction rather than daily survival, they tend to be less alert and cautious. While fall fishing does yield the most of the breed, it must be noted that the catch can in fact delete or hamper the spawning regime that this fish tends to follow. This hampering of the lifecycle that the lake bass follow makes for a lower stock in the lakes come spring.

When it comes to fall lake bass fishing, there are many fundamental components to the lake conditions that allow for the bass to be readily available. First and foremost one of the most prominent changes would have to be the temperature of the water when it comes to fall fishing. The temperature of the water in the fall can drop quite drastically lending to more oxygen in the water itself. When this happens in fall fishing season, you will find more lake bass schooled collectively resulting in far more hits on your line.

When the temperature in the lake drops, the activity of the lake bass increases, making fall fishing an ideal time to cast and a better chance of landing the big catch. Fall lake bass fishing allows for the angler to receive more hits on their line as during this time period lake bass will more often than not strike at just about anything that looks like a meal. When it comes to fall fishing, you must keep in mind that due to the cooler temperatures in the lake, the lake bass will be far more active and will feed more often. This makes for an ideal opportunity to cast and get a good strike on your line.

Provided you set a pattern of colors that the fish will be familiar with during fall lake bass fishing, you can be sure that you will have plenty of lake bass to fight on any given day as they will follow trends of their environment and be more easily fooled into hitting your lure.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Lake Bass:The Most Effective Way to Catch Largemouth Lake Bass

Lake Bass:The Most Effective Way to Catch Largemouth Lake Bass


There are numerous vast behavioral differences between Largemouth and Smallmouth lake bass. In a lake you generally find Smallmouth lake bass in deep and rocky sections of the lake. Largemouth lake bass on the other hand prefer weedy portions of the lake. Largemouth lake bass also for much of the year can be found in much shallower water than Smallmouth lake bass typically prefer. In rivers Smallmouth lake bass are found more in the fast current, especially near rocks or near creek mouths. Largemouth lake bass on the other hands prefer slower moving water and are often found occupying weedy backwater areas of the river.

To catch Largemouth lake bass you need to use baits that work well in weeds and trees, both standing and fallen timber. The spinnerbait fits both these criteria. In my life I have only caught one Smallmouth lake bass on a spinnerbait but have caught hundreds of Largemouth lake bass.

The spinnerbait is versatile bait that can be fished many different ways. A favorite northern lake of mine has a large section of lily pads that holds Largemouth lake bass.

The trick is finding where exactly the lake bass are. With a spinnerbait you can fish many different ways. In this situation I have positioned my boat where I could retrieve the spinnerbait along the edge of the pads, trying to entice the lake bass holding on the outer edge of the pads near deeper water. I typically start retrieving the bait with the top foot of the water surface. If I do not have success I then allow the bait to drop about 3 feet and try the area again.

Often you will see Largemouth lake bass feeding right in the middle of the weeds or in this case the lily pads. The spinnerbait allows you to reach these lake bass as well. It is important that you have a strong rod and powerful reel for this type of fishing. I like to cast the spinnerbait direct in the weeds and pull it through quickly. Often it will land on a lily pad. When this happens I pull it off gently and prepare for a strike. A large portion of the lake bass I catch when fishing this method attack the spinnerbait while it is dropping in the water not while I am retrieving it.

Submerged weedlines are another great place to hunt for Largemouth lake bass, especially during the hotter summer months. I look for two things when fishing these areas, which typically are in about 8 foot deep water.

I like a weedline that has quick access to both shallow and deep water. Largemouth lake bass have much more to feed on in shallower water. An area that offers the fish varied opportunities to feed is much more likely to hold lake bass than other areas. Remember 95% of the Largemouth lake bass are in 5% of the water in a given lake. The most important factor in fishing success is choosing the right location.

The second area I like to fish when fishing a deeper weedline is near a shoreline point. It is always good to fish deeper water near shorelines, but if you are near a point it is even better. When I say a point I am referring to the land on shore extending out into the water. If you looked at it from above it would look like a finger or a large triangle with a rounded point.

My favourite technique of fishing these areas is with a crankbait. You must pick a crankbait that cruises at the proper water depth. In this case right above the weeds. A crankbait is hardly weedless, if you choose a deep diver you will constantly be pulling weed of you lure and not have much success for fun. Try different colors and body styles as well.

When the crankbait does not work I next turn to the old reliable jig. You can fish a jig in many ways. You can fish it bare or you can put something on the back of it. I have used live bait, pork rinds, twister tails and plastic skirts on jigs with great results. You can also fish this bait in many different ways. You can retrieve it slow or fast. Or you can simply allow it to hit the bottom and slowly bounce it about. I like to fish in this manner and have found many strikes come as the jig is sinking to the bottom. The freefalling jig with a skirt is often something a Largemouth lake bass cannot pass up.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Lake Bass: Catching Big Lake Bass in A Small Lake

Lake Bass: Catching Big Lake Bass in A Small Lake


The first and most crucial point to remember is lake bass, especially big lake bass, are usually the top end predator in a small lake. Lake bass did not grow to a larger stage in life by being lucky. Lake bass are reasonably smart, have good eyesight, excellent sensation to noise and motion, an acute awareness to their immediate surroundings and know a larger predator when they detect it. This is especially true in smaller waters where lake bass are limited by the size, acre and depth wise, and competition for food is high.

Stealth is the first factor that must be implemented. Walk to the small lake as quietly as possible. Preferably with the sun in your face so your shadow stays behind you and does not cast out onto the water. If you arrived in a vehicle leave it at least 100 yards from the water and walk the rest.

If it is near spawning season, or the weather is warming, hit the shallow water first. Approach from the shallowest corner of the water if possible. Pick a spot where you can cast parallel to the bank. You may be able to cast along the bank in more than one direction if the lake is small.

Try a top water lure first, like a frog, floating worm, or something that does not create a lot of disturbance. Make several casts along the bank, but not too many, 6 to 8 perhaps. Alternate casts along different banks if you can without moving from your position.

If the top water approach proves unsuccessful in catching lake bass tie on your favorite lure that will sink or dive 4 to 6 feet. A slowly sinking plastic worm or shallow diving crank bait would be a good choice. Repeat the same casting method you applied with the top water lure, only farther from the bank, remaining in your same strategic position.

Keep applying this method using deeper running lures until you have worked the entire water to it's deepest part from your first position. Lure color is not as much of a factor here as with larger lakes due to the fact the fish have a higher competition for food and have to be opportunists.

When you have depleted all your resources, caught a few lake bass, or whatever the case may be, move to another strategic position like the one above. If you did not catch any lake bass today, do not give up. Come back another day and apply the same technique. Be relentless and keep fishing. Just keep in mind stealth is the key and that big lake bass catch you know is in there,

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Lake Bass: Fishing Bluffs For Lake Bass

Lake Bass: Fishing Bluffs For Lake Bass

Some of the best bluffs have ledges that protract out under the water. Substructure also is important. A substructure is a cut, pocket, or point on the end of a bluff.

The farther apart these areas are, the better their chances of holding lake bass. Points at the end of a bluff often produce a lot of fish, especially if a river channel comes up against them. The upper end of a point, where the channel brushes the bank, is a great location.

If there is a current I've found that the upcurrent point will yield the biggest lake bass. bluffs usually are located near deep water, the fish using them will not always be deep. The location lake bass use near a bluff depends on a fews different things: shade, forage, currnet, ph, water clarity, light penetration, type of cover.

Light penetration changes with the seasons and the time of day, the light that penetrates the water will dictate the depth lake bass prefer.

If you're fishing during the summer, try bluffs early in the morning and close to sunset. Lake bass in clear water move more vertically than horizontally. As the sun gets brighter bass generaly go deeper, that's why it is best to start deep and work your way up until you find the preferred depth of the lake bass.

You will not find clear water on every bluff, and that is why it is important to understand water clarity. The water clarity of any lake will determine how far lake bass will move. The distance of movement is much less in dingy water compared to clear water. So, on a clear day with high skies and good light penetration, bass living in dingy, shallow lake may move vertically only 2 - 3 feet, but under these same conditionson a clear lake, lake bass would be forced to move 10 - 15 feet.

Lake bass prefer subdued light because they can conceal themselves in the shade to ambush prey.

Position your boat parallel to the bluff and begin with a fan of casts. By doing this, you'll be able to fish the lure more efficaciously. When you fan cast, your lure will remain in the strike zone at least 80-90% of the time. The only time fan casting will not be useful is when the ledges extend way out into the lake. When this is the case, cast directly into it and work the lure down the ledges. Working the lure down the ledges takes a certain amount of practice: just move the lure a few inches at a time so it falls along the ledges contour.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Lake Bass Info: 10 Awe-inspiring Lake Bass Fishing Hotspots In Florida

Lake Bass Info: 10 Awe-inspiring Lake Bass Fishing Hotspots In Florida


The accompanying list of Top 10 lake bass Lakes aims to assist anglers find a quality place to catch trophy lake bass.

Florida is globally heralded as one of the best lake bass fishing spots, this is because of it extraordinary saltwater fishing, though this extraordinary freshwater lake bass fishing hasn't captured the attention of the same amount of visitors. Dwellers of this state are in on the secret, the following are some of the best fishing spots so far.

1. LAKE GEORGE

Lake George is considered one of the premier lake bass fishing lakes in central Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.

Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the eastern shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for lake bass to amassed at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Additionally, casting deep diving crankbaits is productive near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island.

2. STICK MARSH/FARM 13 RESERVOIR

Created in 1987, the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir is synonymous with trophy lake bass fishing. This 6,500-acre artificial lake near Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach, became one of the hottest lake bass lakes in the country during the past decade. FWC biologists anticipate a continuation of first-class lake bass fishing in the upcoming years.

3. WEST LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA

Bordering the city of Kissimmee to the south, the 18,810-acre West Lake Tohopekaliga has long been a popular lake bass fishing lake for both amateur and tournament anglers. In recent years, both Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society (B.A.S.S.) and Forrest L. Wood (FLW) bass tournaments have been held out of the Kissimmee lakefront park. Winning weights are routinely in the 18-to 25- pound range. To date, the biggest lake bass documented from the lake weighed 17.10 pounds.

4. THE RODMAN RESERVOIR

The Rodman Reservoir, located east of the Gainesville and in the south of Palatka, covers an area of about 9,500 acres of prime largemouth lake bass ground. Since it was established in 1968, Rodman Reservoir has been recognised for the trophy largemouth lake bass. The state's largest lake bass of 2000, 15 pounds and 17 pounds, came from the reservoir during March. Much of the largemouth lake bass fishery's success is due to abundant habitat in the form of stumps and aquatic vegetation and periodic drawdowns.

5. LAKE TARPON

Lake Tarpon is a 2,500-acre lake near Tampa/St. Petersburg in Pinellas County. This lake has systematically brought about high quality lake bass for years. Most fish range from 12 to 16 inches long however, quality and trophy fish are also present in good numbers. Biologists have observed anglers catching upwards of 20 fish with an occasional 10-pounder.

6. LAKE WEOHYAKAPKA

Lake Weohyakapka, commonly known as Lake Walk -in-Water, is a 7,532-acre lake, off S.R. 60 south of Orlando, east of Lake Wales. The lake has a nationalwide reputation as an outstanding location to catch largemouth lake bass. Anglers on a regular basis catch up to 25 lake bass everyday with several ranging from 4 to 8 pounds. Weohyakapka also produces many trophy lake bass above 10 pounds annually. Last year, Walk-in-Water anglers entered 130 lake bass with a qualifying weight of eight pounds in the FWC's Big Catch Program. A 15- to 24inch slot limit regulation with a three-bass daily bag limit is in place to help maintain dependable lake bass fishing. Anglers can keep three lake bass a day, either under or over the protected slot range, of which only one lake bass bigger than or same as 24 inches is permitted.

7. LAKE ISTOKPOGA

Lake bass anglers who fish the Kissimmee Chain of lakes to the north and Lake Okeechobee to the south often overlook 28,000-acre Lake Istokpoga. Situated in Highlands County between U.S. 27 and U.S. 98 south of Sebring, Istokpoga is rated the 5th largest natural lake in the state of Florida. Anglers frequently catch lake bass up to eight pounds, with some between 10 and 13 pounds. An angler caught a 16-pound lake bass in March 1998.

Lake Istokpoga has a 15- to 24-inch lot limit for lake bass with a three fish daily bag limit, of which only one lake bass may be 24 inches or longer. All residents between 16 and 65 years of age and all non-residents are required to have a fishing license.

8. EVERGLADES WATER CONSERVATION AREAS 2 AND 3

Everglades Water Conservation Areas are marshlands bordered by canals. Areas 2 has 210 square miles of marsh, and Area 3 contains 730 square miles of marsh., and Area 3 contains 30 square miles of marsh. Originally designed for flood control and water supply, the area provides some of the best lake bass fishing in the country.

The best lake bass fishing usually occurs in the spring when dropping water levels concentrate fish the canals. April is the peak month with angler catch rates as high a 4.1 lake bass per hour in the L-67A Canal.

9. LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Lake Okeechobee is systematically one of Florida's top producing lake bass lakes and is believed one of the best lakes in the country for lake bass fishing. Located in south central Florida, the "Big O" covers 730 square miles and is easily approachable from Florida's east and west coast. FWC biologists are anticipating a enormous year class for this lake this year.

The lake increased to 16 feet, early in 2003, due to above average rainfall in the upper lakes. Due to the drought in 2001, the lake has experienced positive changes in vegetation.

Lake Okeechobee has a 13- to 18-inch slot limit on lake bass, meaning all lake bass between 13 and 18 inches must be released unharmed.

10. CRESCENT LAKE

This 15,725 acre lake borders the east side of Crescent City on the Putnam/Flagler county line. Crescent Lake flows into the St. Johns River via Dunns Creek on its north end. Past electrofishing samples for largemouth lake bass revealed one of the highest catch-per-unit-efforts recorded for areas on the St. John's River. Largemouth lake bass up to twenty inches long were well represented in the sample and good numbers of larger fish (8 lb +) were collected.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Lake bass Fishing in Mexico

Lake bass Fishing in Mexico


Mexico is one of the favorite countries for Americans to go lake bass fishing, not only it is near, but it also offer some great spots with a large assortment of fishes. Because Mexico has far-reaching lakes with good marine vegetation, they are good spots for fish to grow. Mexico also offers up a warm climate, closer to the Caribbean that makes fishing a truly wonderful experience.

Among the lakes you'll find in Mexico for lake bass are:

Lake El Salto. This lake is one of the most popular spots for lake bass fishing in Mexico, and is great to fish in throughout the entire year! This lake is situated close to Mazatlan. Fishermen say you can find lake bass of more than 10 pounds there!

Lake Huites. Its popularity is close to El Salto's. This is because just like in there you will discovery practically a heaven for fishermen. It is better to fish between June and September to find the most success in this lake.

Lake Baccarac. Yet another top spot for lake bass fishing in the World, in Lake Baccarac you will find some pretty big lake bass fishes that will look great on your trophy picture! Abundance is the word in Baccarac, where you can catch numerous fish in a day!

A few Tips to Follow:

If this will be your first time lake bass fishing in Mexico, I'd advocate you to visit a local trainer to get some tips o how to go along better in these lakes. They also have pretty substantial info about the current top spots in the country.

Mexico lake bass fishing guides can in addition to be very helpful, particularly if you decide to take the trip on your own. In conclusion, remember to take all your gear!

Mexico lake bass fishing is a genuinely fantastic experience for every fishermen.