Back to Basics

By Mark Lassagne

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A lot of anglers give up on bass fishing because unlike other species they've pursued, bass are more elusive, and unpredictable. There are times that it seems the bass will almost jump in your boat. Then, at other times, they won't hit anything.

Did the bass change? Yes, of course they did. Are they gone? No, but things change every day. Structure moves, creek channels change and bait moves, etc. The fish are still there but they may have gone deeper, down the bank or if the structure is gone, they may be suspending most of time.

Sometimes you need to step back and think, "basic bassin'." Whether you're new to the sport or an old pro, there will be a time when you need to just go back to basics. And that means everything from the area you fish to the equipment you use.

One of the most important things to do when bass fishing is to have a plan of attack, and base that plan on seasonal patterns. One example would be early spring. The fish are getting ready for the spawn; we know the fish spawn in the coves and they eat crawdads, so we start out fishing a Persuader Pumpkin 1/2-ounce jig on the points leading into coves. After fishing this pattern for a few hours we will know if it's working or not. Then we alter the plan. This example is a little over simplified, but it is meant to show how a plan can save a lot of time and help establish a pattern.

Now that you have the basic plan, insure you have the right equipment. The right equipment will mean more bites and more fish in the boat. We'll start at the hook and move back.

I have switched to EWG hooks — extra wide gaps — for the simple fact that by using them you will land more fish. The extra wide gap hook allows for a "texpose" style rather than Texas style when fishing a worm — Texposing is where you push the hook completely through the worm and skin hook the point on the bait.

With the EWG hooks there are two styles. One is the finesse light-wire style — Eagle Claw Feather Light Series — designed for finesse fishing and when you need good hook penetration without exerting much pressure.

The other style is a heavy wire style — the Eagle Claw Pro Series. This hook is designed with a heavy wire and requires more pressure for hook penetration but it is not likely to bend. The Pro-Series hook is recommended for flipping and pitching Senkos, flukes and weightless worms. The heavy wire hook is also heavier — go figure — which allows Senkos, flukes and weightless worms to sink faster.

One cool trick to use when you want a slightly faster fall on weightless baits is to use a small weight called a Bull Shot. It's a splitshot shaped like a bullet weight and works very well on flukes.

Next is the line. Do you know what line you use and why you use it? You should! For most applications, except froggin', I use monofilament. My preferred line is Suffix Tritanium because of these reasons: high abrasion resistance, low stretch, great knot strength, sensitivity and it still casts great.

Green line is the choice for reaction baits and clear for flippin, pitchin and Senkos. For fishing frogs, braided line 50-pound or better is a must. Braided line has near zero stretch and when that frog is 60 feet into a weed mat, you need all the strength that line has to get it and the fish out.

The fishing rod is one of the most important tools for bass fishing. The right rod will help you cast accurately and land more fish. Do yourself a favor and purchase a good quality rod.

I've found that I can cover all fishing techniques with four different rods. A spinning rod for finesse fishing (dropshot, splitshot and dart heading) with medium action (Shimano VSA70M); it's 7 feet long with a light but fast tip.

A flipping stick (Shimano V Rod VCT75M) 7 1/2-foot heavy action (backbone) with a medium tip. Remember, the tip is what enables you to pitch. Too heavy a tip and you are up in tulles and making big splash.

For spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Senkos, lake jigs and heavy Carolina rigs, I like a 7-foot medium heavy rod A Shimano VCT70MH with a medium tip does the trick. The tip should be flexible enough to make accurate casts and have enough back bone for a good hook set.

The last rod in the arsenal is for small cranks like the Speed Trap 1/8- ounce or 1/4-ounce topwater poppers, shaking worms or light Carolina rigs. This is a medium action with a light tip 7-foot rod (Shimano VCA70ML).

Seven-foot rods take a little getting used to but once in tune, you'll never go back to a smaller rod. A longer rod gives you better hook sets, longer casts and is easier to control the fish.

A good quality reel with a smooth drag is a must. The Shimano Curado 100 Series is perfect for reaction baits. It's small size makes it easy to handle and cast.

The Curado 200 Series with the super free spool is great for pitching and flippin. A 6-to-1 gear ratio is the most versatile for most techniques.

With all the right equipment you're almost half way there. Now all you need is baits, fish and some skill.

As far as the skill part, it's advantageous to practice at home. With some practice you should be able to pitch into a coffee can at 20-30 feet and cast within 6 inches of your target.

This may sound somewhat hard, but you can figure on a good day the strike zone will be 12 inches. So when you cast 13 inches from your target you won't get bit.

Remember those lazy days where you cast close to target, but not that close, say a foot or two, and didn't catch any fish. Try this: Stop, turn around, make a good cast past your target and retrieve your bait slowly through the strike zone. The results will amaze you.

When pitching and flipping, insure your bait falls vertically and doesn't fall away from the target on the drop. Short, accurate casts are the most effective. Long casts may cover more water, but water is only water if not in the strike zone.

Don't cast to the same spot as your partner. Cast at least a foot or two away or the only thing you will accomplish is to spook the fish. Fish your confidence baits for the time of the year and the body of water,then stick with those baits.

There are many days when I set out my six rods and never change a bait all day. Listen to the fish and adjust accordingly. Over the summer I found that when throwing my chartreuse Persuader buzzbait on a very high tide, the fish missed the bait. I knew the fish were there because I could see them, but couldn't hook them. So changing presentation to a Luhr-Jensen Fire Tiger PJ Pop and a slow retrieve, I then hooked almost every fish.

There are times when a fish will hit your bait but not get hooked. This means you're in the ball park, but not quite there. Try changing colors. Bass fishing is a thinking man's game. You should be attempting to solve the puzzle the entire day, even though the pieces change.

Even schooled anglers need to take that big step back and see the forest instead of all those big, big trees. Check your equipment, make a plan, and get out there and catch more fish.