Bass Fishing for Beginners

HOOTERS Magazine - Bass Report by Brad Wall

October 2005 - Issue 58

If you have no idea what a jig is, use fishing line as kite string and think tackle only refers to Football season, you could probably use a little advice in the fishing department. Brad Wall, Hooters Bass Angler, describes it in a way that may make you feel a bit more at ease when picking up a rod. “The sport of fishing is called fishing, simply because you are fishing; it is the quest and challenge before catching.” With that said, we have simplified the science of bass fishing with these tips, suggestions and knowledge from Brad...

...always be prepared with a camera and a Hooters Girl...

Bass move into shallower waters in the spring to spawn and move out as the year moves on. The season and other variables such as water depth, temperature and clarity will help determine what lures you should be using at that time. One general guideline is “match the hatch” meaning, whatever you see floating down the water, be it mosquitoes or spiders, try to match your lure with what insect is hatching at that time and place.

Step 1

Lure Them In With the Big O
Before you can get to the second step of fishing catching, you need to attract the fishies, which can be done by using many lures including Spinnerbaits and Crankbaits. These types of lures work to attract and locate where the Bass are by buzzing and popping the water to imitate injured bait fish and insects.

• Crankbaits - Crankbaits work best when fishing in an area with rocks or wood and do not work as well in grassy areas. They are designed to attract fish by fast movements through the water and have large lips that cause the lure to dive deep when being reeled in.
• Spinnerbaits - Spinnerbaits have a lead head, wire body, shiny blades and a skirt to cover the hook. Brad explains that fish are a lot like cats, meaning, when something gets their attention, they watch it, follow it and pounce on it. The blades reflect light and flash in the water, getting the attention of the Bass. When reeling in a Spinnerbait, it should be close enough to the surface of the water to be visible and should be reeled in at a slow to medium speed. These lures are very versatile and can be used anytime of the year and all conditions of water.

Step 2

Hooking Up With the Big Ones
When you have figured out where the fish are feeding, it is time to switch your bait and hope you can hold on to your rod when you hook up with a big one. There are a couple different lures you can choose from at this time.

• Worms - Worms are a soft lure and one of the most effective and well known lures, but may take a little more luck or technique on your part to trick a bass into biting. Worms work best when used in warm (above 60 degrees), clear water.
• Tubes - When the fish are hesitating and the water is clear, this is the perfect lure to use. A tube should be used in an area where the structure of the bottom of the water changes, such as a sandbar. These lures are designed to sit in this type of area where the bass will latch onto the lure.
• Jigs - Jigs are heavy lead weighted baits, combined with a skirt and can be used in cool (below 60 degrees), clear to somewhat murky water. They work best when they look alive, using a slow presentation (how you work the rod) with a quick twitch every 2 to 3 cranks of the reel and a slow descend. Jigs work well in an area where the fish are camouflaged by fallen branches or weeds (add a weed deflector to prevent the lure from getting caught up in the weeds).

Step 3

Posing With Your Catch
Always be prepared with a camera and a Hooters Girl, and when you pose with your catch (the fish) be sure to hold it far out in front of you and have the Hooters Girl standing right next to you - this will make the fish look twice its size and the beautiful Hooters Girls will add some additional distraction. Then, you can lie to your friends about how big your catch was and have proof.

Fish on!