Bass Fishing Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Mistakes… no one is happy about making them. Although, mistakes can often turn into valuable lessons. This is particularly the case when fishing. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes while bass fishing and, thankfully, I’ve learned from them. These are a few of the big ones.

Keep Moving

If you’re not having any luck, don’t assume the fish aren’t biting and go home. Keep on moving. I have friends that like to remind me of this whole “keep moving” idea whenever we go bass fishing together. I have a tendency to stick to one spot and be determined to catch a fish there even if it’s been hours. Look around for different types of structure, move to other areas, and pay close attention to what’s going on in the water.

Set the Hook

For those that have become accustomed to saltwater fishing with circle hooks and live bait, we have to remind ourselves that it’s a requirement to set the hook when bass fishing with artificial baits or lures. That means when you feel a strike, SET IT!

I’ve found this to be be particularly important when using a weedless Texas or Carolina rig. When fishing these types of presentations, the point of the hook is embedded back into the soft plastic bait, which means you have to really set the hook to make sure that the hook has come all the way through the soft plastic bait and into the fish’s mouth.

Take it Slow

You don’t need to reel at the speed of light. Slow it down. This was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn since I’m pretty much the least patient person in the world. Try casting your line out and then letting your bait sink for 30 seconds to a minute before you start to retrieve, then see if you notice a difference in the number of strikes you get.

Stay Focused

Fishing is a relaxing outdoor activity, but you still need to pay attention to trial and error if you want to improve. If you’re not getting any action, slow your retrieve or jiggle the lure or change up your worm for another color. When you do get a hit, think about what it was that you did differently, or how your bait was presented when you got a strike.

Note the details of the water conditions, the speed of your retrieves, and the baits that brought success in those situations. If you have to, start a fishing log and make notes after you return from each fishing trip. Remembering what worked well or what didn’t will save you a lot of time and lost fish on your next bass fishing trip.

Share Your Lessons

What was one fishing lesson you had to learn the hard way? I want to hear about it! Share your own fishing experiences by commenting on the Shefishes2.com Facebook page.