I saw the recent thread on tackle vs knowledge. I can relate through deer hunting, knowledge is VERY VERY important. I would agree that knowledge is more important once some tackle basics are acquired.

 

Can someone break down a few basics you think are important to catch more fish, for maybe a novice level? Im thinking of trying a few new to me lakes, and am curious what you think would be best to focus on, for really any species (multispecies lakes).

 

Temps? Locations? Drop offs? Weedbeds? Boat traffic? Persistence? Clarity?

 

Maybe just some TOP TIPS for the novice guys to focus on.

 

I'm struggling because I just don't catch that many fish. I know (I think...)  when to use subtle baits, aggressive baits,  colors for clear, stained, bright dark, etc. Maybe Im not finding the right locations on lakes here in Michigan.

 

 

 

Start here, take notes and read all the links, too!

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_articles.html

 

Mix the videos in with your reading assignment:

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/

 

I just came back from a fishing vacation. Many of our fish were caught from around docks and downed wood. My boat partner consistently out fished me not because of the baits we used or the location of the fish but from the accuracy of his casts. He could put his casts much closer to the dock or downed tree more often than I could. My casts, too many times were not close enough to the target to get bit. When my cast was accurate, I connected a higher percentage of the time. He was able to skip his bait on target on the first try more often than I did. Many times, there was only one fish on that dock and he got it even though I was in front. Often times, close is not good enough. 

There are a lot of skills needed to be able to land bass on a regular basis. Casting accuracy is only one but it can make a big difference in how many fish you boat in a day.

Try to learn from every fishing trip you have and you will gain knowledge. Fish with people who are very experienced in bass fishing, it will shorten your learning curve. Be willing to travel to new locations so you don't get too comfortable in a spot you are good at already.

its challenging, it takes time dedication & effort.

everytime i think i figure some thing out i have to adjust it

Fish and study . 

 

 

On 5/31/2017 at 11:32 AM, WRangler506 said:

Maybe Im not finding the right locations on lakes here in Michigan.

 

 

 

What lakes are you fishing? I have found that fish (largemouth anyway) up here relate to weeds more than anything else. Our lakes are usually quite weedy with little rock, no wood away from shore. Fish baits that you can work through or around the weeds. Look for points in the weeds, weed edges, spots where the type of weed changes, holes in the weeds etc. Experiment with fast and slow presentations, but I have found that fish up here (even fairly active fish) will be more likely to hit finesse style bait than something else (just my experience). 

 

FISH WITH A SENKO 

 

For michigan largemouth a gary yamamoto 5" senko is unbeatable. Most of my fish come on this bait and I know a lot of successful michigan fisherman who almost exclusively throw senkos.  I like to rig it weightless and just let it sink to the bottom, and slowly twitch, reel and let it sink back down until its back to the boat. The fall is where most strikes come. Wacky is my preference, but a weightless texas hook will get the job done in thicker weeds. I fish it near docks, dropoffs, laydowns or anywhere there are weeds in like 1.5 - 20 foot of water (4-10 is a good starting place). Yes, other baits work, but this will catch them on pretty much any day.

 

One thing to keep in mind: A guy from the dnr told me that michigan largemouth's primary source of food are bluegills. We don't really have giant balls of shad stacked on the thermocline in most of our inland lakes, so those fish are keying in on those gills. Green pumpkin, and other colors that could imitate a gill are king here. Take some time to observe the bluegills. 

 

https://www.bassmaster.com/vandams-6-season-bass-guide

This is a good seasonal guide from KVD. 

 

 

 

Join a local bass club.

19 hours ago, Captain America said:

What lakes are you fishing? I have found that fish (largemouth anyway) up here relate to weeds more than anything else. Our lakes are usually quite weedy with little rock, no wood away from shore. Fish baits that you can work through or around the weeds. Look for points in the weeds, weed edges, spots where the type of weed changes, holes in the weeds etc. Experiment with fast and slow presentations, but I have found that fish up here (even fairly active fish) will be more likely to hit finesse style bait than something else (just my experience). 

 

FISH WITH A SENKO 

 

For michigan largemouth a gary yamamoto 5" senko is unbeatable. Most of my fish come on this bait and I know a lot of successful michigan fisherman who almost exclusively throw senkos.  I like to rig it weightless and just let it sink to the bottom, and slowly twitch, reel and let it sink back down until its back to the boat. The fall is where most strikes come. Wacky is my preference, but a weightless texas hook will get the job done in thicker weeds. I fish it near docks, dropoffs, laydowns or anywhere there are weeds in like 1.5 - 20 foot of water (4-10 is a good starting place). Yes, other baits work, but this will catch them on pretty much any day.

 

One thing to keep in mind: A guy from the dnr told me that michigan largemouth's primary source of food are bluegills. We don't really have giant balls of shad stacked on the thermocline in most of our inland lakes, so those fish are keying in on those gills. Green pumpkin, and other colors that could imitate a gill are king here. Take some time to observe the bluegills. 

 

https://www.bassmaster.com/vandams-6-season-bass-guide

This is a good seasonal guide from KVD. 

 

 

 

THanks for the info. Im checking all the links Glen posted way above also. I rarely seem to fish any largemouth areas lately, mostly going for smallmouth and walleye, and perch/gills for the kids. Ill try some senkos this weekend as Ill be out on that side of the state on Hamlin for the first time. I think that lake will have some weeds to fish shallower also.

Senkos are also very effective for smallmouth!

Read the articles here that Glen has shown. Get yourself a copy of "Spoonplugging" by Elwood "Buck" Perry. This will teach you the basics of structure fishing and how bass relate to it.

 

From there, you find the bass's location, dependent on the seasonal period in your location. Then execute whatever Depth & Speed control is necessary to illicit a strike. Lures and presentations are just tools to facilitate your achieving the end result. Pretty simple formula. But a lot of folks overthink it. JMO.

Lots of good advice above - mine is - go fishing and pay attention to the whole scene