Basic Bass Fishing Tackle
Let’s start with the fact that bass fishing does not have to be expensive. Depending on your approach it can be within reach of anyone. You can fish from a boat or from shore depending on your circumstances.
Your fishing style will dictate the type of tackle you will need. Such things as reel and rod type, line weight, bait and lures to use, sinkers, leaders and more.
The basics of angling technique are fairly simple to master. Learning to tie the correct knots for the situation and basic casting of the bait are probably the first things to learn.
Some of the bass fishing tools you will need are a rod, reel, line and hooks as well as tackle such as lures and baits.
We’ll start with picking the correct rod. For bass, a stiffer rod is preferable since bass can put up quite a fight. More experienced anglers may opt to use lightweight tackle, both rod and line weight, for the additional challenge.
A 6′ to 6 1/2′ medium rod is norm for most bass fishing. This coupled with a heavy push button spinning or bait-casting reel and 10-pound line will be your basic setup. If you are fishing in heavy cover and grassy wetlands an even heavier test line may serve you better as the fish will most likely get the line tangled up in cover it is living in.
There are many types of baits and lures available and each has it time and place to be used. Some types of baits and lures you will want to consider are:
Crank bait – which mostly refers to lures, are made from a variety of materials, including hard plastic or wood. With an added feature of a diving lip on the front (simulating effectively the movements of natural prey, wobbling, diving and swimming actions), entices the bass to strike. The rule of thumb, normally is that the larger the lip, the deeper it can dive. Enhancements like rattles are also good for certain conditions.
Jerk baits – A favorite amongst seasoned bass anglers jerk baits can be used as top-water baits as well as for suspended bass fishing. Longer minnow-shaped plugs, available in lots of different sizes and colors. As a surface, top-water bait with a slight twitch-and-stop type of retrieve, or even as a more slow-and-steady retrieves underwater. Another option is to use suspending jerk baits that typically dive deeper, jerking it, almost teasing and tempting the bass to come up and bite right at it.
Jigs: Sometimes described as the ‘lead head and hook with dressing’. Their ‘added’ features could take the shape of rubber or plastic skirts, soft plastic baits for bodies, instead of skirts. Most bass experts combine them with a frog, or a plastic bait as a “follower’(plastic worm, crawfish).
