How to Bass Fish With a Texas-Rigged Worm

Probably the most popular bait for bass is the artificial worm.  And one of the most popular methods of rigging an artificial worm is the Texas Rig.  In this post we will discuss how to tie the Texas Rig, and how to bass fish with a Texas-Rigged worm.

Bass Fishing with The  Texas Rig

The Texas rig is the most basic rigging method.  You will need a bullet weight, an offset hook, and your worm.  First thread the bullet weight on your line with the point facing your rod tip.  Then tie on your offset hook.  Next, insert the point of the hook through the nose of the worm and push until only the hook eye is visible.  Rotate the hook 180 degrees, and push the hook through the worm body.  The hook should almost come out of the other side of the worm, and the worm should be straight once you have finished.

If you have a bend in the worm above the hook, you may need to adjust where you entered the worm body after you rotated the hook.

If you are using a 4 inch worm, use a #1 or #2 hook.  For a 6 inch worm, use a 2/0 or 3/0. For an 8 inch worm, use a 4/0 or 5/0, and a 5/0 or 6/0 for larger worms.

Below is a video of how to tie the Texas Rig.

The Texas Rig is weedless which enables you to fish dense vegetation.  However in heavy brush or rocks, the weight can become separated from the worm, and cause you not to be able to feel the bite.  To solve this problem, you could insert a toothpick at the top of the bullet weight to secure it in place.

If you want the worm to sink faster, use a heavier bullet weight.  The only drawback to a Texas Rig is that the weight sometimes drops the worm into cover where the fish cannot see it.  Texas Rigs are ideal in clear water conditions where you can see the underwater cover, and you are trying to fish close to it.

If you are fishing around rocks or heavy cover, be sure to use a smaller bullet weight as the larger weights tend to get caught more often.

How to Bass Fish with a Texas-Rigged Worm

Once you make your cast, hold your rod tip at approximately the 1 o’clock position.  Keep your line taut, but not overly tight.  Bass often will grab the worm on the fall, so if your line is slack, you won’t feel the bite.  But if it is too tight, they will spit it out.

As the bait is falling, gradually lower your rod tip.  Lower your tip just enough to keep the line taut.  Once the bait hits the bottom, you should be approximately in the 3 o’clock position.

Give a quick jerk back up to the 1 o’clock position, and repeat the process.  If your line starts moving sideways, or you feel a bite, drop your rod tip and give a little less tension, but not necessarily slack.  Then set the hook with a strong jerk back and up.

Here is a quick video on fishing with a Texas-Rigged worm.

Learning how to bass fish with a Texas-Rigged worm is one of the very basic methods that will make you a much better angler, and put some more Bass in your live well.

Originally posted 2011-01-27 10:39:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Will Your Soda Water Stop Your Bass From Bleeding?

I stopped into a restaurant to eat the other day, and picked up a copy of the Lonestar Outdoor News. If you happen to live in Texas, look for it on the free news stands. Great little paper.

There was an interesting article about the use of soda water such as Coca Cola and Sprite to stop the bleeding of a badly hooked Bass. Sounded a little far fetched to me, so I read further.

Turns out that the angler who was revealing this trick was Jonathon VanDam, the nephew of top tour pro Kevin VanDam. If anyone named VanDam is talking Bass fishing, then I’m listening.

Basically what he does is pour a few drops of Coca Cola into the mouth of the bass, and it somehow helps the blood clot. There doesn’t seem to be real scientific reason that this works, but it is another trick to have up your sleeve.

Evidently, if you are in the Bassmaster Elite Series, and you end up with a dead fish in your livewell, then you lose points. Whether you are practicing catch-and-release, or fishing a tournament, there is good reason for take every precaution to ensure that the bass that you catch remains in good condiiton.

If you would like to view the article in its entirety, you can view it here:

http://lsonews.com/fishing-news/1551-bill-miller

Take care of those bass that you release, and you can catch them again when they get bigger.

Originally posted 2011-04-13 20:08:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Winter Bass Fishing Tips That Won’t Leave You Out in the Cold

Winter Bass fishing can be a very challenging proposition. Not only do you have to deal with the elements like a stiff cold wind or cold temperatures, but you also have to deal with different fishing patterns than you would in the other months of the year. For maximum success, keep these winter Bass fishing tips in mind if you are going to hit the water during the winter months.

Bass Move to Deeper Water in the Winter

Most Bass fishermen are aware that Bass move to deeper water during the winter. But “deep” can mean different depths in different water bodies. If you are fishing in a river, deep may only be 12 ft. But if you happen to be fishing a cavernous lake, “deep” could be 50 ft or more. This makes them a bit challenging to find at times.

Winter Bass will often suspend in the depths. They are commonly lethargic as well. It is important to fish slow during this time of the year, as the Bass are not in the mood to expend energy chasing something. Also try downsizing your bait as well.

Try to Find Warm Water Spots

Look for underwater springs or currents. Near these springs, the water will often be a bit warmer. Check your boat’s water temperature gauge to verify. The warmer water of even 1 or 2 degrees, could make a drastic difference.

Also look for power plant discharges. If there is a power plant on the water body that you are fishing, the water where the steam plant discharges will be 10 – 25 degrees warmer. If you are fishing a power plant discharge, be sure to fish a highly visible lure with a quick retrieve. A color like chartreuse works well in this situation.

Submerged Timber Holds Lazy Winter Bass

Try to find submerged trees that line the original creek or river channel. You can fish above these underwater tree tops by dropping a spoon vertically. Drop to just over the tops of the trees. Starting with your rod straight out, give a quick jerk to about a 45 degree angle, and let the bait settle back down. Drop the tip of your rod at the same speed as the bait is falling to keep slack out of the line, and still be able to detect the bite.

Look for Schools of Baitfish

If you see a school of baitfish on your sonar, then you may want to fish that spot. Tightly schooled baitfish indicate that the Bass are feeding agressively. If they are not tightly schooled, then the Bass may not be actively pursuing them, so try live bait like minnows or shiners drifting on a light line.

Points and Deep Banks

Bass will often hold off a point waiting for baitfish to swim by. In inland lakes, they will usually suspend around 15′, but much deeper for cavernous type lakes. You may try either a horizontal presentation like a crankbait, or a vertical presentation like a spoon, depending upon how deep they are holding.

There are a lot of trophy Bass caught during the winter months. So don’t be afraid to get out there and give these Winter Bass fishing tips a try. And shoot us a picture of your catch!

Originally posted 2011-02-03 13:38:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Largemouth Bass Info – Understanding How to Catch Bass

You could spend hours upon hours learning about all of the different methods of how to catch Bass. But before you delve into all of the different techniques there are to catch them, perhaps the best place to start is to understand the fish that you are trying to catch. The following Largemouth Bass info will give you a basic understanding of how the fish functions, which will make you a better fisherman.

Basic Largemouth Bass Info

Largemouth Bass belong to the Micropterus group of the Sunfish family. This group of fish includes the Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Redey, Suuwannee, and Guadalupe Bass. Collectively these fish are called Black Bass.

The largemouth is named this because of the huge mouth that it possesses. These fish are found in almost every state in the United States. They are the most popular and most widespread of all the bass species.

There are 2 basic subspecies of the largemouth bass. They are the northern largemouth, and the Florida largemouth. The Florida largemouth have been stocked in several southern states, and typically have a faster growth rate than their northern cousin. A typical Florida strain of bass will grow to about 10 pounds in about 8 years, while the northern largemouth would only be about 5 pounds at 8 years of age.

Largemouths live about 10 years on average, but have been known to reach 16 years of age.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Vision

Bass rely on vision to both find food, and escape their predators. Their eyes are situated on the upper sides of their head. They can see pretty well in all directions, except backwards and straight down.

Water clarity determines how far the bass can see. In laboratory tests, red has been determined to be the color that bass see the best.  But that doesn’t mean you should use a red lure every time you hit the water.

Red is the first color to dissipate, usually at a depth of around 10 ft.  A general rule of thumb to apply in regards to colors of lures is to use bright or fluorescent lures is stained or murky water, and darker or muted colors in clear water.  You will have to experiment with the lure colors on your favorite fishing hole to find what works best there.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Lateral Line

Bass have a distinctive lateral line. The lateral line is part of a network of nerve endings that detect the slightest of vibrations and sends them to the receptors in their inner ear. The lateral line kind of acts like an eardrum in humans.

The lateral line can help the bass determine if what they are sensing is predator or prey, and about where it is located. If the bass determines that it is prey, it will move in for a closer look, and rely on its vision to make a strike.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Hearing

Although all fish lack external ears, they do have inner ears. Their inner ears consist of tiny bones, that can pick up very slight sounds, such as bait stirring, or a crayfish moving among the pebbles. This is why many lures have rattles in them, or make noise.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Smell

The Largemouth Bass does not have a very good sense of smell. However, many bass fishermen swear that a scented lure helps them catch fish, primarily because they believe the fish will hold onto the bait a bit longer, giving them a chance to set the hook. But don’t rely on a bass to find your lure simply because of the smell.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Taste

Taste does not seem to matter to Largemouth Bass. They will eat about anything including minnows, crayfish, frogs, worms, snakes, lizards, flies, grasshoppers, and more. However, there are some fishermen who believe that salted worms or other flavored bait helps them catch fish.

By understanding the nature of the largemouth, and how it operates, you can become a better fisherman. The next time you learn a new bass fishing technique, remember your Largemouth Bass info, and use accordingly. Best of luck on your next fishing trip.

Originally posted 2011-03-27 20:17:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Bragging Board

Caught any big one’s lately?

Why not show off your catch on our Bragging Board?

To be considered to have your picture posted on our Bragging Board, submit your photos to admin@bassfishingtips4u.com. Pictures must be in digital format, and not offensive in any way.

Include any pertinent info including the name you want posted, location caught, size and weight if available.

Then go tell your friends to check your picture out!

Legal

Now I need to be clear for legal reasons, that if you submit your picture, you are authorizing us to place it on the site. It will not be used for any other purpose or web site without your written permission. You are in no way allowed to submit pictures from other sites, or which you do not fully own.

Should you decide to have your picture removed, just simply put in a request at admin@bassfishingtips4u.com, and we will be glad to help.

Thanks for visiting BassFishingTips4u.com.

Originally posted 2011-01-28 16:53:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Rigging and Fishing a Floating Artificial Worm

When the Bass are in shallow water, or are more active with a top-water presentation, then a floating artificial worm rig may be your ticket to landing more bass.

To tie on a floating worm, tie on your hook.  Then thread about 1/4 – 1/2 inch of the worm on the hook.  Rotate the hook 180 degrees, and push the hook through the body of the worm, and then push the tip of the hook just below the worm skin.

The video at the bottom of the page will help give you a visual demonstration of how to tie on a floating worm.

That’s all there is to it.  Not very hard, but it can be very effective.

How to Fish a Floating Artificial Worm

Cast your worm out. Twitch the bait occasionally on a slack line to give the bait a side to side action. Reel slowly after letting the bait set for a few seconds after each twitch. If you want to fish deeper, let the weight of the line slowly sink the worm. Otherwise you could add a small piece of lead, or even a finish nail in front of the hook on the worm to make it sink quicker.

Originally posted 2011-01-31 13:58:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Choosing the Best Fishing Line for Bass Fishing

Choosing the best fishing line depends greatly upon the type of fishing that you are planning on doing.  Different lines work well for different applications.  That is why it is a good idea to have a couple of extra rods handy with different set-ups should the need arise. Below we will examine the different kinds of line on the market and delve into the best uses for each.

Nylon Monofilament Fishing Line

Probably the most popular line sold today is the nylon monofilament, commonly referred to as mono.  Monofilament line has a high degree of stretch and moderate abrasion resistance built in.  Mono has a high degree of memory, which can result in severe backlashes on an open faced reel. Monofilament is used for a variety of fishing methods.  It is really good to have when you are fishing with a heavy action rod and you are trying to set the hook hard.  If the line has no stretch, it is easier to rip the bait out of the mouth of the bass with a heavy action rod. Mono is regarded as a general purpose line by many.  If you have only one rod to fish with, this would be a good choice of line to use.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

If you are fishing with jigs in deep water, then the best fishing line you can use is fluorocarbon line.  Fluorocarbon virtually disappears underwater due to it's light refractive index that is almost identical to the index of water. Another big plus for fluorocarbon line is that it sinks, unlike monofilament or braided line. Fluorocarbon line also has good abrasion resistance and low stretch built in.  The low stretch is particularly handy when you have a lot of line out and you are trying to set the hook.

Superlines aka Copolymer Fishing Line

One of the greatest advances in the fishing industry is the introduction of copolymer fishing line.  Made from Spectra or Dyneema braided fibers, the superlines offer low diameter fishing lines that are stronger than nylon monofilament and fluorocarbon lines of a larger diameter. 

These lines are great for fishing around heavy cover.  They offer minimal stretch, and high abrasion resistance. If you are trolling for Bass, you will love the fact that the smaller diameter fishing line will allow your lure to dive deeper.

One thing to be aware of though is that the low stretch that superlines possess, may cause you to rip the hook out of the mouth of the Bass if you set the hook too hard.  Some bass fishermen will tie on a monofilament leader in order to prevent ripping the hook out of the mouth of the bass, yet still have the abrasion resistance for fishing heavy cover.

Save Money By Using Your Best Fishing Line Last

Good fishing line can be expensive.  Especially if you are trying to string up 6 or 8 rods with fresh line.  One way you can cut your cost is to string the first half of your reel with a low cost monofilament line that you find on sale somewhere. Then tie a knot joining the cheap fishing line and the good fishing line.  You need about 100 yards or so of the good fishing line.  If you happen to break off that much during a trip or two, simply restring back to the spot where the 2 lines were joined.  But at least once a year, your should restring the whole reel.

So as you can see, the best fishing line for you really boils down to what kind of fishing you are going to be doing.  Invest in good quality fishing line, so that you do not lose that bass of a lifetime that you were fortunate enough to hook.

Originally posted 2011-03-30 22:11:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

How to Catch Bass Using a Carolina-Rigged Worm

The Carolina-Rigged worm is probably the most popular method of rigging an artificial worm for bass fishing there is. Fished properly, the Carolina rig will certainly put more Bass in the boat. Follow along as we discuss how to tie on the rig, and how to fish with it.

Setting up the Carolina Rig

To tie on a Carolina Rig, first thread a bullet weight and a glass or plastic bead on your line. The weight goes on first, with the cone end pointing toward the rod tip. After putting on the weight and bead, tie on a barrel swivel.

Then tie on a 18 – 36 inch leader of line, and tie on an offset worm hook. Push the point of the hook through the tip of the worm, thread through, and poke the hook through the body, leaving the hook exposed. If you would like to make your rig weedless, rotate the hook and punch up and almost through the body of the worm just like you would if you were tying a Texas Rig.

If you would prefer a video tutorial, watch below.

Best Tackle for Carolina Rig

To fish with a Carolina Rig, most experienced anglers prefer a 6 1/2 ft, medium heavy to heavy action rod, with fast action tip, and long handle. You want a rod with good backbone so when you set the hook, you don’t break your rod.

A good bait-casting or spin-casting reel is also a necessity. A gear ration of at least 6:1 is preferred. Most bass fisherman fish with 12 – 20 lb test mono or a 20 – 30 lb super-line.

How to Fish the Carolina Rig

To cast the Carolina Rig, it is best to use a sidearm cast. You can try to overhand cast, but in all likelihood, you will backlash or tangle.

Allow the sinker to fall to the bottom. Once the weight has hit the bottom, retrieve very slowly. Once in a while, give the tip of your rod a quick, but not radical jerk. The weight will cause the water to muddy around it, and the worm will pull down at first and then slowly rise back up. Often you will get a bite, just after the jerk.

Once you get the bite, drop your rod tip a bit, hesitate momentarily, and then set the hook with a firm upwards and back snap of the wrist.

Here is a short tutorial video on how to fish the Carolina Rig.

The Carolina Rig probably catches more Bass than any other rigging method available. If you learn how to catch Bass using a Carolina-Rigged worm, you will be adding a valuable tool to your arsenal. Give it a try on your next Bass fishing trip.

Originally posted 2011-01-28 16:22:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Early Spring White Bass Fishing Tips

Well its almost that time of the year again. The annual spring white bass fishing run. If you can catch them right, you can limit out in no time. But how do you find them, and what bait do you use? Here are a few early Spring White Bass fishing tips to help you find success.

First watch this video put out by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department about the Spring White Bass run.  It has several tips in it.

Some points to remember:

• The White Bass will begin their run usually around the 1st week of February in the South.  Could come a little later depending on cold fronts and your area of the country.
• Look for the fish to be up the feeder creeks.  The females will swim upstream and deposit their eggs.  The current carries them downstream where the males fertilize them.  So a little current is good.  But if there is too much runoff from a recent rain, the fish may stage at points on the lake where there is current to carry the eggs.  This is not as common though.
• Fish below a dam if possible.  The dam is the definite end of the line for whites swimming upstream.  They will often congregate there.
• Use a medium action rod with 10 – 12 pound test line.  White Bass are ferocious fighters.  Make sure that your line is in good shape.
• There are several baits that can be used.  My personal favorites are the Spec Rigs (white & Chartreuse), and small Roadrunners.  But you can also catch them on the Rat L Traps, Spoons, or even live bait.
• You can easily catch White Bass from the shoreline during this time of year.  Cast your bait upstream, and reel back as it floats downstream.
• Be sure that you keep only legal size fish and you have your fishing license with you.  Game wardens are prevalant at hot spots during this time of year writing tickets to those who keep undersized fish, or keep over their limit.  White Bass limits are generally set pretty high, so there is no real excuse to go over your limit.
• This is  a good opportunity to take a kid fishing.  If you can catch it just right, they can catch a lot of fish that pull like the dickens.  If you don’t, then they can play on the sand on the river bank.  Either way, they get to get out and have a little fun.

Originally posted 2011-02-08 11:07:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Bass Fishing With Crayfish

Many trophy fisherman swear by Bass fishing with crayfish. Crayfish work well for both largemouth and smallmouth Bass alike. Sometimes you can find them in a local bait shop, but most times you will have to go out and catch them yourself.

Catching Crayfish

Catching crayfish, or crawfish or crawdads as some folks call them, is a pretty easy task. Most times if you can find a ditch holding a little bit of water, you will find them. You can also turn over rocks in a small creek and find them. And there are also crayfish traps that you can purchase that will even make it easier. A 3-4″ crawdad is the perfect size that you are looking for.

Once you catch the crayfish, just put them in a bucket with a little vegetation to hide under. Some folks prefer a styrofoam bucket to put them in. Either way, just make sure to keep them cool. Do not leave them exposed in the direct sunlight, or they will die.

Bass Fishing with Crayfish

To fish with a crayfish, many anglers like to remove the pincers by squeezing the claw with a pair of pliers until it detaches. This will not injure the crawfish, and will make it look more appetizing and less challenging to the Bass.

Hook a #4 or #6 hook through the hard raised portion on the head between the eyes. Fish the bait slow across the bottom. Remember, it is a crawdad, and they tend to move slow. So keep it natural looking. Don’t be bouncing it off the bottom as if it were a jig.

Give Bass the Crawfish they Want

If you are fishing in a large body of water, the crawfish may be different colors from one side of the lake to the other depending on water temperatures and other environmental factors. Try to catch some crayfish from the side of the lake that you are fishing on.

Sometimes if you are lucky you can catch a few softshell crayfish. These are crawfish that have recently molted and their backs have not become a hard shell yet. Bass love them.

Should you decide to opt for fishing with an artificial crawdad, it is important to match the color to the existing crawdads found in the waters that you are fishing. If the crayfish happen to have a bit of color on their pinchers, for optimum results, you can paint the tips of your artificial lure to match.

Rule of thumb to remember is that the clearer the water, the more you must match your artificial bait to the actual live bait found in those waters.

Bass fishing with crayfish can help you catch the Bass of a lifetime. Go out and give it a try the next time you hit the water.

Originally posted 2011-03-01 22:36:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter