How to fish for bass

Learning how to bass fish can seem a little daunting if you’re new to fishing or taken a walk through your local fishing tackle shop recently. Maybe you’ve been at it a while and have accumulated a lot of tackle, and you’re still not really sure how best to put it to use.
This bass fishing guide will hopefully point you in the right direction on how to bass fish regardless of your skill level and experience.

But to keep things simple, an angler needs to know the following 4 things to be successful at bass fishing:

● Required tackle for bass fishing and how to use it
● Bass fishing techniques
● Where to bass fish
● When to bass fish

For my first installment of talking about bass fishing I will talk about the required table for bass fishing and how to use it.  In the coming weeks I will talk about each of the other bullet points.

Required tackle:
The basic necessary items will be the following, a rod, a reel, line and a hook. As simple as that sounds that all you'll ever need. However as simple as it is have you ever tried to buy just those simple things without being overwhelmed? I can tell you personally I've stood in the tackle shop going holy crap what are most of these things lol. So to start lets talk about fishing poles. Poles are made in so many ways but what I have discovered is medium to medium heavy action rods are the best. These types of rods give you the ability to set the hook and be able to bring the fish with ease. The big difference between the two will determine the size of the lure you are fishing. If you are fishing heavy tackle with braided or high pound line you'll want a heavy rod. Medium rods are great for light lures, top waters, buzzbaits, etc. You'll still be able to fish with braided lines but you can now fish lighter lines.

Next we'll talk about reels. Reels have one function, hold the line. The bigger the reel the more line yes but be careful with this thought process. When fishing braided or fluorocarbon lines a bigger reel isn't always needed. These lines give the option to have heavier lines on small reels. Here is usually my rule of thumb. If I can put a reel on a 6'6" rod and balance it on one finger near the reel seat I have the perfect fit rod/reel combo. This can work with any situation.  If the reel is to heavy the reel will tip down, if the reel is to light the rod wins the balance game.

I've discussed a couple different types of lines already but nows a breakdown of them. Currently there are three main types of lines. Braided, fluorocarbon and monofilament.  Braided is just that. Line that is fibered together for super strong strength in thinner diameter. Meaning that 20lbs test is the same diameter as 6lbs monofilament line. Flourocarbon line looks like monofilament but it sinks. Monofilament line floats. Its full of air bubbles which gives it a lot of stretch. Flourocarbon has little to now air bubbles causing it to sink. Has some stretch to it but not much give.

Last is hook. Hooks can be just as confusing as rods. Hooks are all different types determined all on what type of lure you are fishing. Plastic or soft  lures use the most different hooks. Wire or hard baits usually already have a weight and hook matching the lure size. 

Next week I will talk more about different lures and how to use different techniques.

Thanks for reading and keep your lines tight.