Spinnerbait Fishing Tactics

Spinnerbait Fishing Tactics for Spotted Bay Bass

Like most fishermen my age I originally learned about spinnerbait fishing for largemouth bass with my Dad. My class room was the back of an aluminum rental boat drifting the brush flats and rocky points of Irvine Lake in Orange County and Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara, CA. Both lakes were renowned southern California bass fisheries in the 1960's and 70's. Later I refined my techniques from the business end of a Nitro bass boat fishing team tournaments in the waters of the mid west for Smallmouth bass and Muskie.

In the last 30 years I have managed to refined my spinnerbait technique quite a bit. I now do most of my fishing from my kayak or a float tube but the target fish is still a bass albeit a distant saltwater cousin, the Spotted Bay Bass. The proving grounds are now Newport Harbor, the LA Breakwall and Mission Bay, San Diego. Most of the large harbors of Southern California's coast are filled with hungry spotted bass or sand bass that are just waiting to try this tasty treat.

Keep your tackle choices simple

I fish a 7' IM7 graphite baitcasting rod from Infinity Fishing Products, nothing fancy $49.95 retail. The rod is rated 8-15# test and has a 11" cork butt with a trigger grip and 4" cork fore grip. It's built with 1 foot Fugi SIC guides. I use an inexpensive Daiwa, low profile baitcasting reel. Basically the same setup you would use to throw spinnerbaits for largemouth bass with maybe slightly heavier line.

Spotted bass have very sharp teeth and side plates on their heads. With a spinnerbait you don't have to worry about the teeth but you do have to worry about their head platting. Spots have a tendency to trash and roll on the bait. For this reason the money you spend on line is more important than any other expenditure. I use 10# P-line. I like its overall characteristics, stretch, knot strength, visibility and its tuff! Sometimes if I am going outside to fish the breakers or kelp beds for Calicos I will step up to 12# test. Other good lines i've tried include Stren, Trilene XT and the new Cuda line.

Check your line and Re-Tie your spinnerbaits often! I can not stress this enough. At $6 a pop for quality saltwater spinnerbaits one mistake is to many.

For bait colors, I choose the basics. In most cases it’s a chart/white 1/2oz. with a small gold colorado and a #5 willow or indiana/willow blade combo. I also carry natural Shad for clear water and a Fire Tiger color for stained water and overcast days. Black/red and Purple/blue are good night colors. When fishing the bays the average casting distance is short so I find the 1/2 oz. works in most all situations but I do carry a few 3/4oz. just in case the current is faster and a few 1 oz. models for fishing deep structure.

A few basic tips to catch more fish:

Being a tournament fisherman I am constantly looking for a new edge or technique. And like most serious kayak anglers I try most of the new techniques mentioned on the discussion boards and other kayak publications. But, like the Highlander, I am never far from my blade. For those of you who are new to spinnerbait fishing I have included a few important and easy to remember tactics to catch more Spinnerbait fish in the bays.

If you are tossing into rock piles and shallow structure such as docks and weeds beds the bass will often times slam the bait within moments of it hitting the water. This is due to their predatory instincts and defense mechanisms. For this reason I try to have my reel engaged (in gear)the moment the bait hits its target. There is nothing more frustrating than missing an opportunity to set the hook cleanly because of a birds nest or to much slack.

A gentle arch cast will put enough slack into my cast to give me the depth I am looking for. So with this in mind I engage my reel just after the spinnerbait starts its decent. Then, hopefully, when it gently plops into the water next to the dock or rock pile I just count it down quickly 1,2,3 . . and start my retrieve. Practice this method and you will eliminate most of the small overcast birds nets that plaque even the most skilled spinnerbait fishermen.

Make an accurate cast the first time and don't be afraid to bump the rocks and momentarily kill the bait. You can let it fall all the way to the bottom and then burn it back to the surface.

Fishing visible structure: empty docks, pilings, etc.

When possible cast your bait up under the docks or piers and always parallel to the docks. Cast as far back as possible into the shallow water and work your way out. If your not getting bit try letting the bait sink on the cast and dead stick it for a few moments then a few twitch movements and then burn it back. This method just may aggravate the fish into striking.

Be sure to hit both sides of all pilings, rocks and any visible structure breaks. (Hit the shadow side first if possible)

Fishing the eelgrass beds and deep cover

Spotted Bass Love eelgrass! It affords them the three most important elements, Cover from the sun, Protection from the elements and other predictors and an abundance of food. I have found that the best eelgrass beds are those in about 6' of water. I also find that this area is better on the incoming tide. This depth leaves about 4' of water over the eelgrass. The fish are coming into the area with a new attitude with the sole purpose of feeding.

Cast your spinnerbait into the shallower area and pull it out towards the deep area. Let it get right into the grass. A twitches and a couple of cranks on the handle and your bait will be sliding through the eelgrass with an enticing vibration and a "Bite Me" attitude.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get bit quickly just keep at it, the fish are there.

Hint; wear a pair of Polaroid glasses to take the sun's glare off the water. This will allow you to keep better track of your baits.

Fishing Deep cover for your Kicker Fish

I have picked up some very nice fish in deep cover situations. If you have metered deep cover such as a rock pile this is a prime spot for a Big Grump to kick your limit into the top 5 positions. Usually areas like this will hold only a couple fish but their size is usually bigger. Position your kayak so you can cast past the structure up current and let your spinnerbait get deep enough before starting your slow steady retrieve.

Make a long cast and count your spinnerbait down. This is where the heavier model comes in handy. Work your spinnerbait using a lift and drop action. It is best if you can drag bottom or at least bump the structure. Be Careful here; two things can happen and one will cost you a good lure. The other will raise your blood pressure slightly, but only until she's in the net. I've lost a few good baits with this technique but I've landed more than enough real nice fish to make up for the lose.

Spinnerbaits also work quite well on sandbass. For this reason I will also cast into areas that hold moored sailboats and areas where the bay splits into two directions. Sandbass will hold tight to the bottom so try a long cast and keep bottom contact with a lift and pull type action.

Remember, sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a fish and structure. When in doubt set the hook, swings are free.

Learning to fish a spinnerbait effectively is not hard it only sounds like it. Practice is all it takes to become a proficient spinnerbait fisherman. There are a number of good spinnerbait articles available on the internet. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and that it helps you catch and land more fish. If I can be of further assistance just make a post on the http://www.FKPFishing.net website discussion board and I'll be sure to answer.

Michael Klasno was born and raised in SoCal and is an expert freshwater and saltwater float tube and kayak fisherman. Michael is the webmaster for FKPFishing.net a southern California float tube and kayak fishing network and the shore fishing website Cyberfishhead.com. For more fishing articles by this author please visit these fishing websites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Klasno

Best bass fishing locations

Fishing In Michigan - 2 Things That Make It A Great Experience

Detroit, a metro in Michigan is an amazing place for some very booming bass fishing excursions. Though this is not the conventional place that many fishing enthusiasts would consider for bass fishing, there are several spots for successful and abundant bass fishing in this area. The different seasons give opportunities for various kinds of fishing. In urban localities like Saginaw Bay, Lake Erie Lake St. Clair, and many inland lakes you would find some of the finest small mouth bass angling.

1. Productive seasons for bass fishing
During early spring, bass fishing expeditions are generally very fruitful, with some eventful fishing during this time of year. Fish are able to be seen, and are attracted to angling baits like spinner baits and super flukes. Fish are more attracted to these baits, and along with the suitable weather conditions it is a best time to hook fish.

During summer time, the fish go further into the water and are in their respective breeds of schools and heavily feeding. You can get the bigger fish at this time, weighing a good seven pounds each, and nearly forty fish in a day.

The smaller mouth bass begin to feed during fall, small mouth bass start feeding energetically in fall, and are found mostly in the shallow areas. As the water starts freezing over, the bigger fish come searching for food near the surface areas and are easily baited. Another advantage during this season to Michigan is the sparse traffic in these areas which gives you more space to fish on your own. You have to have the proper gear for this cold weather, because if you are not used to these weather conditions you will not be able to tolerate the cold. The below zero temperatures and high speed winds that are likely during the winter Michigan are a freezing experience.

2. Several different fishing expeditions available
There are various bass fishing expeditions, especially for the small mouth bass in different areas of water right through Michigan. The Thunder Bay, Grand Traverse Bay, Bay De Noc and several other Ports in the Great Lakes that offer mostly virgin areas for angling opportunities. Michigan also has top-quality inland lake for angling of small mouth bass.

Walleye fishing is another option apart from bass fishing on the Detroit River, as there is a large amount of migration of fish from the Lake Erie to the Detroit River during the spring.

The summer months are the season for fishing for the white bass in Lake St. Claire and Lake Erie. This is a good time for fishing for top water bass fishing, as white bass are in the spawning season and moving up the river. These fish are ready to be baited and bite into anything akin to a minnow, and make the baiting much easier at this time.

Abhishek is an avid Bass Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Bass Fishing Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 135 Pages Ebook, "How To Become A Bass Fishing Pro!" from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/88/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

Top Bass Fishing Tips - part 5

Top Bass Fishing Tips - Part Five - Bass Fishing the Reeds

This is the last article in our series entitles Top Bass Fishing Tips. If you have missed any of our previous articles in this series I highly recommend you do a quick a search to find them as they compile some of the best bass fishing techniques that will help you catch more bass. With all that said, let's look at the topic of today's top bass fishing tips article. Today will be looking at bass fishing the reeds.

The secret behind many bass fishing techniques is knowledge and understanding of proper presentation in order to catch that lunker we dreamed about the night before. Well every time I spy a bed of reeds this is exactly the first thing that runs through my mind, and my heart starts pumping as if I just won the lottery. It is no surprise really that this happens because any good bassmaster elite fisherman is going to tell you bass fishing the reeds is gold. Here are a few things to keep in mind when fishing the reeds.

1. Getting a Great Cast. This is one of the most valuable top bass fishing tips when it comes to fishing in the reeds. The reason is that the weed structure is actually quite thin surrounding the bass and without setting up far enough away from the bass and going for those longer distance casts, you risk spooking the bass. So it makes sense the farther away you are from the bass in this situation the less sensitive the bass will be to your presentations.

2. The Trajectory of the Cast. Wow I bet you never saw that one coming. A lot of bass fisherman rarely consider the actual trajectory of their cast yet talk to a bassmaster elite and he'll tell you he has his mind on that all the time. It is one the most critical aspects to getting a great cast. Thick reeds do not lend themselves well to flipping or pitching rod techniques and will cause you a lot of hang ups. What I like to do in reed growth is cast for the sky. The idea is to get it high and long. By doing this you will have a better chance of landing in-between the reeds without hang ups and place that bait or lure right on the bass's nose.

3. If you don't get a Strike "Dead Stick It". Bass fishing the reeds is like walking fine line, and sometimes you'll have no idea if you crossed it. You could be sitting far enough back, pitching your lures high to the sky and still not getting any strikes. It's hard to say the exact reason, perhaps you think you are far enough away from the bass to not be spooked, but aren't. Perhaps the guy you fished this spot and hour before made the bass shy, there are million reasons, so if you don't get a strike after a few casts, dead stick it to them. Let your bait or lure sit there for a few minutes, just in case the bass might what to think about it your presentation before nailing it. After your convinced nothing is there (or your patience just can't take it anymore) work the lure back slowly, don't horse the retrieve as you'll not only spook the bass but in all likely hood get hung up in the reeds then your done like dinner. This method of bass fishing may be frustrating but learning to finesse weed rigs is the real winner for bass fishing the reeds.

Well there you go a couple quick top bass fishing tips for fishing the reeds that are sure to help you catch more bass. The goal of this series was to give you great bass fishing techniques so that you can become the next bassmaster elite. So what are you waiting for head on out, wet that line and catch the lunker of a lifetime. See you on the water.

To learn more bass fishing tips that can help you catch more bass, head on over to Top Bass Fishing Tips. Here I not only show you more bass fishing techniques but take an in-depth look at bass habitat and a whole lot more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Pentoch

Top Bass Fishing Tips -part 2

Top Bass Fishing Tips - Part Two - Where Are the Bass?

Welcome to Part Two of the series Top Bass Fishing Tips. If you missed any of the other articles in the series then just do a quick search for top bass fishing tips and you should be able to find the other articles. The goal of this series is to provide you with top bass fishing techniques to help you catch more bass. In today's article we will look at answering the crucial question where are the bass?

A lot of considerations come into play when we consider how to locate bass. The body of water we are fishing, weather conditions, structure and other elements but let's try and put these together to round out this bass fishing tip. So to try and help do that first I want to discuss water.

Water us made up of 3 strata. There is a top strata, a middle strata and a bottom strata. During the course of the year water tends to form into these 3 distinct layers, and easy to help you identify with this is concept is, have you ever gone swimming while you were up at the cottage or camping? I'm sure you have, right and as you were swimming you noticed that in the summer swimming along the top can be quite comfortable but dive down a few feet and you instantly notice a drop a in temperature. Now I'm not suggesting the middle layer is just a few feet beneath the surface, but it's just an example to help identify the concept of water strata. These strata play an important role in a fish's life. This is applicable to all fish species and not just for bass fishing. Without getting into a huge discussion about water strata, for now for this bass fishing tips I just wanted to get you used to the concept.

Things to consider when thinking about water strata and how we can use that in our bass fishing technique. Let's break it down.

Top Water Strata. This is a section of water that generally for the most part if the year is warmer then the other 2 layers. Although it is important to note that this layer also drops to the bottom during fall weather and is the first layer to become available in the spring on the surface. Ok to catch more bass in the top water strata consider proper bass fishing lure choice. For instance, top water or "floating" lures with splashing and darting actions can help trigger active fish in this zone of warmer water. Remember this zone becomes very active in the spring as the water stratifies and by summer becomes distinct. Also weather patterns and time of the day help to dictate when active bass may move into this layer of water.

Middle Strata of Water. Is often a transitional section of water that determines how the water will circulate during the yearly seasons and also acts as the definitive barrier of range of water temperatures that separate the top water from the bottom. Tacking advantage of these bass fishing tips for this section of water takes some consideration. Bass will usually hold in this water as a transition. Sometimes moving off to drop offs sections and holding in this strata yet still having access to the active top water. Finding choice bass locations that contain this middle strata along close access to top water habitat can make for some of the best bass fishing. Bass fishing lure choices here range from swimming action baits, rattle baits, shad rap style lures and other medium diving plugs.

Bottom Water Strata. This section of water is generally the coldest in terms of water temperature within a lake. This section of water also rotates to become the top water strata during certain times of the year so be aware of that and be ready to adapt to this to catch more bass. But to make bass fishing tips easier to understand let's stick with a summer scenario when this is the bottom strata. Bass fishing in this strata takes special considerations. Bass generally drop down here during certain weather patterns, when bass are spooked or go in-active. It is still possible to catch more bass here you just have to adapt. Bass fishing lure choices for this water layer are, worm rigs, flipping jigs, deep diving crankbaits and so on. Often the presentation method is slow and methodical to entice the bass to bite.

There you have it a couple quick bass fishing tips, that discuss water conditions how water stratifies and how that can determine our bass fishing technique and bass fishing lure choices. Tomorrow will continue in our series of top bass fishing tips and hope to see you there.

To learn more bass fishing tips that can help you catch more bass, head on over to Top Bass Fishing Tips. Here I not only discuss more top bass fishing tips and bass habitat and also take a more in-depth look at bass fishing technique.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Pentoch

Top Bass Fishing Techniques

Top Bass Fishing Tips - Part One - Top Water Fishing For Bass

Today I decided to start a special 5 part article series I am going to call Top Bass Fishing Tips. I plan on releasing a addition to the bass fishing tips series each day for a total of 5 killer bass fishing secrets to help you boat more bass. In this article I want to take a look at top water fishing for bass.

Top water fishing for bass both largemouth and for smallies has got to be the most exhilarating experience as the fish inhales the bait dramatically right before your eyes. Unlike other bass fishing techniques, top water bass fishing for bass is the most special. It is all about sight and sound. Take you eyes off of what you are doing even for a moment and you could miss landing that lunker. Top water fishing for bass requires that you master 2 techniques, the twelve o-clock rod handling technique and the six o'clock rod handling technique.

The twelve o-clock rod handling technique is a fancy term I like to use describing the position of the rod after casting. Just like the name suggests you hold the rod out in front of you with the rod tip pointing towards the sky, hence it's twelve o-clock. Where and when you would use this rod technique depends on the situation and that is the key to not only this but other bass fishing tips. The 'twelve o-lock' method works best in thick weed cover. Such top water fishing bass lures that go hand in hand with this rod technique are lures that imitate bait like frogs and rats. Another great lure choice are those cigar shaped bullets like the water demon. Because of the heavy weed cover use a solid medium heavy action rod with line that can handle the heavy weeds. Pumping and twitching the lure or bait on the retrieve will help keep you snag free.

The six o-clock rod handling technique is when you hold the rod out in front of you but this time the tip of the rod is just above the waterline, hence the term six o-clock. This is the rod technique of choice for open water. Fishing bass lures of choice here are popping those water chuggers and walking the dog with those cigar shaped bullets are as easy as eating apple pie using the six o-clock technique. Adding twitches and small pumps can add an erratic action to your retrieves and it helps to vary it up to keep the bass on the bite. A medium action rod and reel seem to work best with this rod technique.

A Great way to practice both techniques is in your backyard. Grab some fishing bass lures that you plan to use on your next bass fishing trip, take the trebles off and practice casting and retrieving getting used to using both rod handling techniques. Master these 2 methods and you have a top water fishing for bass secret that will keep you live well full.

Stay tuned for continued articles in this series of bass fishing tips. Tomorrow I hope to release the next article.

If you don't want to wait for tomorrow addition to this series and learn more bass fishing tips head on over to Bass Fishing Tips. Here I not only discuss more about fishing bass lures and bass habitat but also more in-depth bass fishing tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Pentoch

Bass fishing tactics - The water

There are many a good bass fishing book, but the best bass fishing secrets I have found, are from the internet. There are many professional bass fishing experts online sharing their bass fishing tactics, yea you have to pay for some of them, but the bass fishing techniques revealed are some of the best available. Top bass fishing requires top bass fishing tips and techniques.

How to Catch Bass Fish Successfully Every Time

Bass fishing is an enthralling sport. Every one will aspire to come out successfully in any sport or game. To be a good angler one should know the information that is discussed below.

Depth of the water

Any water body will have three layers. They are deep layer, middle layer and surface layer. The surface layer will be warmer than the middle layer and the middle layer will be warmer than the deep layer.

Before heading for the bass fishing you need to know the existence of the three layers and should be able to find out the temperature of the three layers. Thermometers can be used effectively to measure the temperature of the different layers of water.

Bass fish prefers comfortable temperature. Hence in hot weather condition the bass fish will remain in the deep layer as it will be cold. During cold weather condition the bass fish will try to remain in the middle or top layer.

Temperature of the water

The metabolism of the bass fish is influenced by temperature of the water. There is no second opinion that bass fish can withstand temperature fluctuations better.

Bass fishing can be done thorough out the year when the temperature of the water is around 70 -75 degree Celsius. The bass fishing is possible even when the temperature is around 32-39 degree Celsius.

When the temperature of the water becomes cold the movement of the bass fish is getting slower. This piece of information will help the anglers immensely to get big booty of bass fish.

Clarity of the water

Bass can survive well in both clear and murky water. Bass fish tries to remain in the deeper water for most of the time. They tend to come to the top layer only for feeding and reproduction.

Male fish remain near the nest and does the protection job. The male bass fish will enter in to the fight with any intruder who comes near the nest with the aim of destroying or eating.

If the water is clear and calm, good deep water bass fishing is possible. If the water is cloudy which means a lot activity in all three layers, the bass fishing will be difficult.

Noise or vibration or other disturbances

Bass fishes are highly sensitive to vibration and noises. Hence you need to keep the place as quite as possible. Any kind of noise will scare away the bass fish. It is better to reach the selected place without much of disturbance to the water and stay put and goes for deep water bass fishing.

Time of the day, effect of sunlight and color or the prey

Experienced anglers feel that dawn and the dusk are the best time for successful bass fishing. The best feeding time for the bass fish is dawn and dusk. The bass can be lured with the live or artificial bait at this time.

The noon time is not at all suited for bass fishing because the bass stop feeding and go deep in the water in search of cooler place.

The bass fish are more attracted by the light colored fast moving prey. you can use light colored bait that moves fast or create vibrations, your chances of making the bass fish to strike and get hooked is bright.

However bass fishing can go on in other times also. The success depends on your strategy in attracting the bass fish to strike and get caught.

Change of season, time and other things

There are various opinions as far as best season for successful bass fishing is concerned. Some feel that fall of season is the best time for bass fishing.

The season is not going to be the same all through the year. There are so many other things like sun light, water movement, speed of water, direction of the flow etc. also change.

There is no fixed time and season for bass fishing. Bass fishing can be done successfully even during severe cold season [ice fishing] provided you also change your strategy and technique in line with the changes in the season climate and other things

The nature and the habitat of the bass fish

Try and know as much as possible about the nature and habitat of the bass fish. This can be achieved by reading the related articles and discussing with the seasoned anglers.

Once you are thorough with the nature and habitat of the fish you can successfully select the place for bass fishing. Once the place is selected thinking in the lines of bass fish will increase you chance of enjoying a successful bass fishing

Map

Knowing preferred habitats of the bass fish is possible though the map that contains the complete details of the place selected for the bass fishing. You need to find and select a map that has even minute details like length, depth and slope of the surface of the water body.

The bass prefers to stay at deep waters. Once you know the depth and the surface detail of the water body you can select the place for bass fishing more accurately. Deep lake with a slope floor is the best place to look for bass fish.

Signup now at Bass fishing tackle tips & techniques and receive a FREE copy of our best selling e-book "A complete guide to bass fishing"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Balajee_Bashyaam