There’s nothing quite like a day on the water, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. From a quick trip to the lake to a full-blown fishing vacation, the memories made are something to treasure. Bass are a classic fishing choice, so read on for bass fishing tips, ideas for fishing trips, and ideas to take with you when you visit a bass fishing lodge in Minnesota.
Injured Prey
Bass like to attack injured prey, so hang onto your shredded or damaged worms to use for bait. Following that same principle, the color red attracts the fish. Red or pink head on spinners or a crack bait with red hooks will catch the bass’s attention and cause them to attack.
Sharpen Your Hooks
Since the jaws of bass are particularly bony, an extra-sharp hook will better be able to penetrate. Sharpening your hooks with a file is a quick process that pays off and brings results.
Change with the Seasons
The best fishing practices change with the seasons. Learning these practices will help you be a better fisherman. For example, in the spring, bass hang out in spawning beds in shallow areas. They tend to guard their eggs in shallow areas or coves and will bite out of both protectiveness and hunger. Bass also eat different things throughout the year. Early in the year, they commonly eat crawfish, so red, peach, or pink bait will mimic that. Later in the year, they like shad, so silver or chrome bait is more effective. Changing your patterns to account for their natural behaviors will bring better catches.
Wind and Weather
Fishing at home, fishing trips to Minnesota, and any other fishing adventure will be more effective if you properly account for wind and weather. For example, fishing right after a storm passes through is generally a frustrating time with few results. Pristine weather is often a slow time for fishing, as well. However, the time before a storm rolls through can make for great fishing, since the pressure makes the bass more active. Additionally, since bass swim with the current, fish facing into the wind. The sacrifice in casting distance will be well worth it, since it allows the fish to find your bait before they hear or swim by your boat.
Persistence Is Key
While casting over and over without even a nibble can be frustrating, patience is part of the game. Bass often need the bait presented to them several times before they’ll go for it, so persistence is key. Keep casting, don’t give up, and eventually you’ll get a bite.