READY for BASS FISHING SEASON?!!

Every angler looks forward to the upcoming bass fishing season but preparation is the key to having a successful season and this preparation should start at the very end of the previous season.

It is important that once the angler has fished for the last time at the end of a season, that the rod is cleaned and packed away. The reel should be cleaned thoroughly and new grease or oil applied to ensure that it stays in good working order. It is advisable to replace the line on the reel annually as during the course of the season, damage will most likely have occurred to the line that the angler had not previously noticed. There would be nothing worse than hooking the trophy fish of a lifetime only to find that a fault in the line sees the fish and the angler part company.

To ensure an enjoyable and successful fishing trip and to hopefully land that trophy bass, there are procedures that the angler can do and certain items to take to help achieve success.

Prior to each trip, check the line for slight nicks or cuts that might have occurred, for example by the line brushing against an underwater boulder. Check all knots by giving them a firm pull as these are the weak points in the line and can part under tension if damaged or not tied correctly.

It is important that a varied selection of artificial baits is taken on each trip so that the angler has a good choice of lures if a change is required. A good range of rubber worm fishing lures such as straight tailed and ribbon tailed worms and swimbait fishing lures such as the bionic minnow swimbait or the fishermanfirstsupplies.com swimbait are good choices. The angler should also not forget to take a range of spinners and jigs and to ensure that all hooks are sharp and free from rust.

It is important that when the angler goes fishing that appropriate clothing is worn. Warm clothing for when it is cold and when fishing during the summer months or in the heat, it is important that a suitable hat is worn and sun cream is applied. It is also important to take plenty of fluids and enough food to last the trip.

Once the angler has everything prepared and the thoughts turn to the actual fishing trip itself, consideration then needs to be given as to where to target the bass. The angler could stop the boat anywhere on a lake, cast out and maybe catch a few fish, but the chance of having regular success would be slim. Instead, look for features where bass would likely be present, such as reeds, lily pads, bridges, docks and fallen trees. Work an area thoroughly, changing baits if there has been little or no success and move on and try somewhere else.

You have stopped your boat a few yards away from a bed of lily pads, dropped the talon shallow water anchors and un-clipped the bionic minnow from the eye of your rod, you have made sure it is rigged correctly and cast it out towards the pads. You watch intently as the bionic minnow sinks slowly through the water column on a slack line, knowing that a bass could strike at any moment. Without warning, your line pulls tight as a bass picks up the bait and you sweep the rod back hard to set the hook.

Instantly, you know this is a big fish as you feel a solid thump. Within a few seconds, the fish leaps clear of the water with savage head shakes, trying to dislodge the hook. Your heart misses a beat as he lands back in the water and goes on a long hard run, the hook still holding. After several yards, he leaps clear again, shaking his head, but the hook still holds. You are aware of its size, guessing at roughly around the ten pound mark, knowing that this is the biggest bass you have ever hooked.

After another two hard runs and another leap clear, the fish is tiring and you are gaining line. After a minute or two, as you pull him alongside the boat and slide him into the net, it dawns on you just how big he is. As you lift the fish out in the net and lay him in the boat, you carefully remove the hook and reach for a set of scales. The needle swings around to 10lb 3oz, your biggest bass ever by far. Still shaking, you take a few pictures and carefully slip him back. Your rod and reel performed perfectly, the knots held tight and the razor sharp hook penetrated and held firm in the mouth of the fish. All that preparation has paid off.