For bass fishing, utilize 8 to 12 pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line with spinning gear and finesse presentations. Increase the tensile strength to 15 or 20 pounds in thick cover. A braided main line in the 30-50 pound test range is extremely adaptable for casting large swimbaits, crankbaits, jigs, and topwater equipment.
Bass also like heavier lines when targeting larger areas of water. 18-20 pound test is appropriate for deep fishing where you might need up to a half mile of shooting. For shallow waters over 100 feet deep, 5-10 pound test works well.
Test lines are very flexible and can be used in many ways to enhance your bass fishing experience. Try using different sizes of hooks to catch different size fish or change out parts of the line such as the swivel or sinker to find out what works best for you.
Test lines are essential for any fisherman to be successful!
Affirmative Action When catching Sea Bass Even though they can weigh up to 10 pounds and fight hard, black sea bass can be caught with very little equipment. Use a 7-foot-long medium-weight rod. Use a reel with a fused, mono, or braided line rated at 20–30 pounds. Do not use a spinning reel because the fish do not hold still long enough for it to spin properly.
Always confirm that you are fishing in federal waters before you cast your line. Federal waters extend 12 nautical miles from the coastline of all states except Hawaii and Alaska. If you are not sure whether your area is federal or state water, check with your local harbor master or marine patrol officer. The best times to go fishing for black sea bass are during spawning season (which is not publically known), early fall after the spawn has taken place but before winter storms move in, and spring after most other fishermen have given up hope of finding any fish.
Black sea bass are found in both deep and shallow waters throughout their range. They like structures such as sunken logs, reefs, and even boats if they feel safe from other fish. You can attract sea bass by putting down ground anchors with 50-pound test wire attached to heavy rocks or concrete blocks. Fish love these structures and will usually stay near them until they find something else to eat. You can also put small flags on end of a stick and drop them in front of the trap site.
A number of approaches will work, but shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs produce some of the largest spring bass. Shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits are wonderful for covering water and catching a lot of fish. Work over shallow weed beds, fallen trees, and submerged stumps. Use small jigs with crinkle-tail worms or grubs on them. Don't forget about drop shots either!
As winter approaches, deeper waters tend to warm up first, so look for structure in deep holes and undercut banks. Large predators such as gators and large fish eaters such as bass go after those structures, so search for signs of their presence—scrapes in the substrate (use a flashlight if it gets dark) or observations of big fish behavior. Drop shotting works best at night when it's cooler.
In summer, shallow waters heat up first, so search for food by looking for insect activity near the surface of clear, sunlit waters. Bigger predators like cats and larger fish eaters will follow the food source into these areas, so watch for signs of their presence—scratches in the sand or vegetation, observations of big fish behavior.
Fish for bass all year round using the methods listed here. It's not easy because they're always on the move but with a little patience, you'll find them whenever it suits your needs. Have fun exploring!
The most American gamefish is the bass, and a 10-pounder is the accepted standard. Texas bass specialist Keith Combs told me, "I've caught a number of 7- to 9-pound bass, and you can typically get them on the patterns that get 3- to 5-pound fish." "But something changes when you gain 10 pounds." Combs added, "I think mostly it's experience. You learn what profiles of water attract which types of bass, so then you start fishing those areas more often. But beyond that, there are really no limits."
Bass grow very fast and can live for over 20 years. They have an incredible ability to recover from injury and disease. Because of this, they are considered a permanent fixture in our waters rather than a temporary attraction like many other fish.
Because of their size, weight, and demand as food, bass require special handling at all stages of their life cycle. Before you attempt to purchase a bass, be sure to ask questions about its history and how it was raised. Although most farmers will want to sell healthy fish, some may choose to keep unhealthy specimens if price is not an issue. And even if you find a farmer who claims to only raise healthy fish, check their records before you buy anything!
Bass can be found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and overgrown streams across North America. However, they are most common in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.
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