Robert W. Benjamin asked:


In the fishing world largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are two of the more highly coveted fish individuals love to catch. Those who express an interest in fishing for bass tend to know all there is to know not only about catching this underwater marvel but their individual habitat as well.

For those who may not be quite as versed with regard to bass fishing or even those fishermen who would like to brush up on their bass knowledge, the following paragraphs will highlight some interesting information regarding largemouth bass and smallmouth bass as well as fishing for these species.

Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass spend most of their time in lakes and rivers where fresh water is plentiful. They tend to congregate in mossy, sheltered areas where smaller fish, such as minnows, provide a meal for them to snack on at their leisure. The size of the bass tends to vary depending on the fish itself although estimations can be given as to their size. Smallmouth bass can be approximately 8-15 inches long and weigh around 4 lbs. or so. As for largemouth bass, these fish tend to be around 1-2 lbs. and have a length similar to the average of the smallmouth bass.

There are certain tricks of the fishing trade which help bass fishermen catch the most bass possible. The best time to fish for bass is May through July as it will yield the best possible catches for bass fishermen. As for favored bait, items such as minnows, crayfish, nightcrawlers, jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits all attract both types of bass. Both live bait and artificial lures will attract the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It is important to note that one may be better able to catch smallmouth bass as opposed to largemouth bass as the smallmouth bass have a more unique curiosity when it comes to their attraction to bait and lures.

With regard to the best time of day to catch bass, it is best to head out to the lake or river throughout the summertime around early morning or late evening into nighttime, as the bass tend to take shelter from the sun during the day. They are more active when the climate is cooler and the sun is not as bright.

Bass fishing, whether for largemouth or smallmouth bass, is an exciting pastime which yields many fortuitous results. By following the aforementioned tips, one may be that much luckier when it comes to reeling in the best catch.

There is a website that has great information on most species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url:

http://www.fishingstringer.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Daniel Eggertsen asked:


Bass fishing is a well-known sport that is enjoyed by anglers of all ages and skill levels. From the pro to the amateur bass fishing is done all over the United States and Tennessee is no exception. You will find some of the best bass fishing in the nation in this state. Tennessee is well-known for its largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, redeye bass and the spotted bass.

Anglers travel from all over to visit Tennessee for its great bass fishing opportunities. This state has so much to offer both the serious angler in search of that trophy bass and the ones who just fish for fun. It is a great place for families to gather together to have a great time and make lasting memories. Below are a few of the best places where you can go to bass fish in Tennessee.

Where to Go Tennessee Bass Fishing

There are several places to go bass fishing in Tennessee such as the Woods Reservoir. This reservoirs shoreline stretches sixty-five miles and it covers 3,980 acres. It is a shallow lake that is fed by the Elk River and it is an excellent place to go bass fishing. There are many areas where you will find grass beds, weeds and many other natural structures that provide the perfect environment for the bass to live and grow in.

Another great place to try your hand at bass fishing in Tennessee is the Tims Ford Lake. This one is also fed by the Elk River and covers 10,700 acres with a shore line stretching 241 miles. There are many creeks, inlets, boat docks and island located in this lake and it is best known for being the home of the smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass and the striped bass.

The Tennessee River is well-known for its largemouth bass. It is easy to find them as large as seven pounds in this river. You can hire a guide to take you out on the Tennessee River who can show you where all the hot spots are located or you can go it alone, whichever way you feel most comfortable.

Normandy Lake has a shoreline of seventy-two miles and covers 3,048 acres. It is fed by the Duck River and is rather a narrow lake. However, this does not hinder the ability to catch bass as it has many smallmouth bass, spotted bass and largemouth bass. Many anglers say that Normandy Lake is very similar to fishing in rivers and deep lakes.

These are just a few of the places where you can go bass fishing in Tennessee, there are many others lakes, creeks and rivers of all sizes that offer great opportunities for the bass fisherman.

Basic Information about Bass

The more you know about bass the better you will be able to fish for them. For example, did you know that the bass are very aggressive feeders? If its one of their favorite foods they will have no problem at all chasing it down.

Karen O’Donnell asked:


Bass fishing is one of the favorite pastimes of Americans. Many people indulge in this activity for their therapeutic wonders. Great relaxation and the exhilarating feeling of catching a big bass fish is its biggest drawing power. Many memorable times are experienced between friends and family on these bass fishing trips.

Not all states are blessed with having great places to go bass fishing. Residents of Florida though have a great reason to be happy because they are one of the states in America that do have many places to go bass fishing. In fact, many of these lakes are transformed into wonderful bass fishing trip destinations.

Many of them have been developed, provided with lodging and rental establishments to cater to the needs of the bass fishers. Aside from that, there are also many interesting side trips you can take your family to. Florida bass fishing is an adventure that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Southwest Florida has already acquired worldwide recognition for its exceptionally rich saltwater fishing, but its richer freshwater fishing could never be forgotten by anyone who has tried the bass fishing opportunities there.

Local residents are brought together by series and regular competitions organized by three very active freshwater clubs in Collier Country. There are also some open competitions that can be enjoyed by out of town fishermen. They can either compete or just plain watch the excitement going on.

Friendly tournaments are a great common focus of all of these clubs. Other fish species are never left unnoticed and untargeted and that makes Florida not just famous for bass fishing.

The state of Florida is blest with beautiful and rich lakes that are good for fresh water fishing. This could be enjoyed throughout its southwest regions; there are also ponds, canals and creeks in other places that have good number pf bass fish content.

There are also websites created to provide information and invitations for bass fish loving and catching aficionados to come, sample and prove that not all big fish are caught by professional fishermen.

These websites provide great details on what you will discover and experience in Florida when you go there. They center on the bass fishing aspect of the trip and also the other activities you can do while there. They would also help you out planning your trip and setting up an itinerary.

The resort owners and the local tourist boards create most of these websites. They provide great services as well as packages for visitors either as small or large groups. They will provide you with all the information you may ever need about bass fishing in Florida.

Guided tours are also offered and guides in bass fishing as well for those just starting out in bass fishing, Florida has some of the best bass fishermen to help you and teach you as well as share some of their experienced tips. They know all the best spots to go to and the best gears to use.

One of these places is Lake Kissimmee in Central Florida. Experience the thrill of fishing for giant lunker largemouth bass in this famous lake resort. They have comfortable lodgings as well as great rentals for anyone who wants to try to catch the big one. Aside from that, Lake Kissimmee is just a stone’s throw away from Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the metropolitan Orlando area, this means that even the kids would enjoy the other aspects of this bass fishing trip in Florida. You will see and enjoy the perfect real Florida getaway adventure everyone would like to have in his or her lifetime.

Aside from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, you can go to Stickmarsh/Farm 13, Blue Cypress, and Walk-in-Water any time for more bass fishing. The famous Indian River Lagoon offers fishing for Redfish, Snook, Trout, and Tarpon aside from bass fishing. You get a variety of catches.

So plan that bass fishing Florida trip now. Visit the websites that can show you the highs of any trip done to Florida. You can just type in the keyword at any search engine and see for yourself how a weekend or a week of Florida Bass fishing could provide for you and your family a very enjoyable experience.

Cory Threlfall asked:


When watching fishing tournaments on television many would-be professional anglers want to know the bass fishing secrets used by those who are paid to fish. From the time a person latches onto a largemouth lunker, they are hooked, unlike the ones that they believe are passing up their offering, because they don’t know the bass fishing secrets they need to consistently land the big ones.

The reality is, there really aren’t any deep dark bass fishing secrets, it is knowing and using the four rights of fishing that separate the professionals from the weekend wannabes. The first thing bass-catcher hopefuls need to know is the habits of the fish they are trying to catch. Knowing their habitat and meal times, plus the type of food they are probably looking for at a given time of day is one of the bass fishing secrets that help pile the pounds onto the daily catch.

Trees, docks, creeks and channels all are good hiding places for bass, and fishing all angles of these areas can lure the fish out of hiding. Once the likes and dislikes of the bass are understood, there are four things that have to be right in order to become a successful bass angler. Knowing a few bass fishing secrets will help land more fish, but it will take lots of fishing practice to join the pro tour.

Four Rights Of Successful Bass Fishing

While some may consider these right as no-brainers, thinking back on the last few times the bass were left in the water at the end of the day, try to remember which of these items were ignored. The right bait, presented in the right manner, in the right location at the right time of day are essentially all the bass fishing secrets needed. Of course, flipping and working the bait will play into attracting the big fish, but no matter how well you work the bait, if the four rights of bass fishing are wrong, the fish won’t leave the water.

Many believe the spinner baits are the gold standard for bass fishing and they will work well in many locations, on the lake, in rivers and streams, but there have been some large fish pulled in with fly equipment and live bait as well. Crank baits work for many anglers, but regardless of the bait, if the water isn’t right and the bait is in the wrong area of the lake, river or stream all the bass fishing secrets in the world will not help the fish find a new home.

Jack Phillips asked:


Bass fishing with topwater baits is without a doubt the most fun you can have fishing for large or smallmouth bass. People watch these bass tournaments on the tube and see all these pros using plastic and spinner baits jigs and crankbaits, forget about the fun and excitement you get with topwater baits. Topwater baits create great action and stories to pass on to family and fishing friends.

The best time I find for topwater bass fishing is in summer, the colder the water the slower the response, and the more you have to work that bait. Early morning and evening are best for topwater bass fishing.

Of course weather effects your choice of lures also, on a bright sunny day it is better to have a light wind to go with it, a bit of a chop makes the bass less spooky. On a calm sunny day use a heavier lure and lighter line for longer casts. Bass tend to become real spooky in calm and clear water, so the further the cast from you the better off you’ll be.

Wind can also change the type of topwater bait you can use I believe that when the wind comes up you should use a smaller bait that makes a lot of noise. The larger baits just plow through the chop, while the smaller baits ride the chop and still make that enticing noise to get the strike you want. Also try to fish through the troughs created by the wind.

Bass fishing topwater baits has some of it’s own quirks you want to be able to make pinpoint casts to cover areas and make a clear retrieve. Most of your topwater bass fishing will be done in shallow water over weed beds, flats and around objects and shoreline cover. The majority of bass population remains in shallow water all summer.

To fish bass with topwater baits cast about a foot or two past your target and bring it as close to the cover as possible. If you do not get a strike after the first few feet reel in and try again and make another cast. Fishing cover like this there is no need to reel the bait all the way to the boat. Work the bait slowly to get that strike from the bass that is hiding in the shadows and under cover. Have patience when fishing topwater baits, let the ripples disapear, and let the bait sit a few seconds before you make you retrieve.

When the bass strikes a topwater bait, wait till you feel the fish before you set the hook. If you try to set that hook when you first see the strike you’ll miss more than you will catch. I can’t count the times that lure has been nocked back towards me by the bass striking that topwater bait.

Now for some of the most popular baits, Poppers are among the oldest of topwater bass fishing lures. They have the dished out face with the line tie in the middle. When retrieved they make a slash noise or “bloop” when popped. Poppers work best in warm, calm, shallow, clear water. You get your action from the rod tip not reeling. The harder you snap the bait the more noise and commotion created.

Stickbaits are rounded, hot-dog shaped lures usually plastic or wood. weighted to float nose up. The only action they have is what the angler ads to make them work. These baits have appeal for big bass, just using the jerk, then real up slack and jerking again produces a good eratic side to side motion that gets lots of attention from bass.

Propbaits are cigar shaped and fitted with propellers on one or both ends. Propbaits can be worked fast or slow, quiet or loud, but stop and go retrieves are best. The bass will let you know what is best so vary your retrieve. Be sure to experiment, propbaits are dynamite around sunken logs, lily pads, and shallow cover. Be sure the blades on the lure run freely,

Wobblers and Crawlers, these baits are particularly best at night or early morning, Examples of these are the Jitterbug or the Crazy Crawler. They make a loud plopping sound when retrieved steadily. Use a steady slow retrieve for the best results with this bass bait.

Buzzbaits are a little like spinnerbaits desingned to be fished on the surface. There are two types, the opposite wire types, with the blade above the hook, and the inline type with everything on one shaft. Excellent for clear water, and pick up less weeds. Again experiment with your working of this bait, twitching and vary speeds to create different noises.

Weedless Spoons are also in this category, designed to be fished in dense cover, either through the thickest weeds, lily pads, or grass. They go through the toughest cover you can find. Fishing with weedless spoons for bass you will want to be using heavy fishing tackle, rods and reels. I like to point my rod tip at the lure on my retrieve, and again here be patient and allow the bass to take the lure.