Friday, 3 December 2010

My Top Bass Fishing Lures

My Top Bass Fishing Lures

Bass fishing in North America is considered by many anglers to be the most desired fresh water game fish. Bass are feisty fish and have been known to perform acrobatic jumps when hooked. They are predator fish that feed on bait fish, shrimp, crawfish, and frogs. Larger adults also like to prey on smaller bass and small water fowls. Some largemouth bass can grow up to 30 inches and weigh over 25 pounds. There are many types of bass fishing lures out there that are excellent producers. I have tested many lures with good results. But my three top bass lures that I always fall back to are the crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

Crankbaits have proven to be deadly for bass fishing and they should not be left out of your tackle box. When retrieved at high-speed, crankbaits dart, wobble side to side simulating the action of an injured bait fish. The lures are designed to dive at different depth and let you cover larger area of water quickly. Some crankbaits make rattling sound which can be very deadly for bass when water visibility is poor.

One of my favorite bass fishing lures is the spinnerbait. It is a versatile lure that can be fished at different water depths and conditions. Spinnerbaits consist of a skirt and shiny blades that mimic a school of bait fish. The unique design makes it an excellent lure to fish around weed beds. Some anglers like to add a trailing hook or a plastic curly tail with great results.

My first bass was caught with a plastic worm and it is still my go to lure for most fresh water game fish. Plastic worms are so popular because they are cheap and come in many shapes and sizes. You can choose almost any colors to match any fishing conditions. They are simple to use and can be fished in almost any depths, covers and water conditions. Many bass fishermen have used plastic worms with the Carolina and Texas rigs with great success and have won many bass tournaments with these set-ups.

Bass prefer to be around weed lines, docks, fallen logs or structures for cover and food. They hone in on their food sources using sight, sound and smell. The lures mentioned above will work most of the time. Some lure will work better than others depending on the fishing conditions. I would recommend that you try different tactics and use different types of lures until you find the one that will works best. Choosing the right colors is an important factor to your success. As a general guide, try to match the color of the lure to the forage of that particular lake your fishing on. I like to pick natural colors such as perch, pumpkin seed and black for normal water conditions. If the water is murky, I prefer to use bright colors like chartreuse and firetiger.
Sea Bass Fishing

Sea Bass fishing is a mainstay of commercial fishing charters and recreational fishing in a number of areas. The primary species found in U.S waters are actually two different species. Black sea bass are found off the coast of the eastern seaboard and the white sea bass are found off the pacific coasts.

Different species can be found in Asian, Australian, Indian, South American and the Pacific seas. This fish is a fierce fighter when caught and often ranges up to 80 pounds and frequently reach 5 feet in length. The average fish is approximately 6-10 pounds and 2-3 feet. They are scrappy fighters that give a good hard struggle when being brought into the boat. This makes them quite popular with sports, recreational and charter fishing groups. Another name for this fish is sea perch.

The black sea bass found on the eastern seaboard ranges from Maine to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. It is smaller than the larger bass found in Asia and Australia and is classified as a grouper fish. The average fish weighs about 7-8 pounds and is about 20 inches long. These fish like to hang around the bottom of the sea bed and can be found in waters as deep as 400 feet. They are found in bays and inlets. The peak fishing time usually occurs in the spring - May to June and again in the fall. They hang out mostly in the 50-80 foot depths and a braided line is a must. live bait, trolling, and jigging are all effective in catching them.

White sea bass are officially in the croaker family and usually travel in schools. They prefer shallow waters and are readily caught using live bait. They feed primarily on small fish such as sardines. They can be caught with a lure that is presented rapidly or the right jigging rig. The average catch is about 28 inches long and 7 pounds. They have been known to reach lengths of 5 feet and weight over 90 pounds but those are rare. They can be caught from California all the way to the waters off of Alaska. The young fish are often mistaken for sea trout and are easily caught in fairly shallow waters. This makes them an excellent species to fish for from the shore.

Both black and white sea bass are regulated fishing species. Both a license and catch limits are strictly enforced. Black sea bass are heavily fished and the fishing season is subject to early closure. Caution should be exercised before engaging a charter to ensure that the season is still open or that the charter can offer fishing for other species.

A variation of fish called sea bass can be caught practically anywhere in the world. How good they taste will vary depending on the species and whether or not they were farm raised or wild. In Australia they are often referred to as Barramundi. In Japan they are called Suzuki and are very popular for making sashimi. Different species are often labeled Sea Bass in order to make them a more recognizable and marketable choice for recreational, sport and commercial fishermen.

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Fishing for Bass from shore is nothing new to me! In fact, that is where most of my learning and experimenting took place. Whether it's a local pond, river, reservoir or large inland lake you can find Bass.

Being adventurous and constantly on the move is essential to success. However, knowing the right time to be out there is key too. Smallmouth, for example will be present at a casting distance provided the temperature of the water is cool enough. If I was shore fishing 5 feet of water in the middle of the summer, with out weeds present, then that would be a waste of time, in my opinion! Now, if this shoreline is riddled with weeds and stumps I would be there with bells on, fishing for Largemouth. A fast sloping shore line with somewhat deep water would hold better numbers of Smallmouth would it not? That is a characteristic I would look for from a boat, so why would it be any different from shore!

A good shore Bass angler will know full well that evenings and early mornings are the best times for success. The middle of the day would be okay if an angler had access to stump or weed 'infested' bays or shorelines. This type of terrain is easily accessible in an old quarry or trout farm. If you take the time to look for such gems, they can be found. You will find that when catch and release is practiced land owners will allow the Bass anglers to fish their ponds. Be honest and up front with them and you will have your gem!

You can also have success from shore in most large inland lakes. Maps will aid you in finding accessible bays or drop offs. Rivers entering the large lakes will hold both Bass species as well, especially if it is slow moving, deep and full of weed growth. Adventuring along the river's edge is rewarding to the anglers that know what to look for. It can be paradise!

Reservoirs too are a Bass anglers dream! Being fortunate enough to have grown up just a bike ride away from the nearest reservoir was heaven for me. That is where I have some of my fondest memories.

Ontario is blessed with many reservoirs and most are just a short drive away. Be prepared to travel on foot for your Bass. Good things come to shore anglers who explore!

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