i’m relatively new to this, maybe 2 years and i’m very curious to hear from others more experienced what are some bass fishing rules to live by, or at least in your opinion should be considered.

m

Not absolutes, and I’ve never targeted smallmouth in my life so may not apply to them:
Don’t fish shallower than you can see the bottom. 
Big girls ambush 

Senkos work

 

Relax and have fun!  You can fish any style, use any equipment, fish from shore or watercraft, pursue any species, and fish any time of year.  But!  If you don’t enjoy each experience, what’s the point? Observe nature, learn something from each trip, take a little time to kick back and just immerse yourself in the fishing experience.

 

May not make you a stellar fisherman, but, man, will it make life a little more pleasurable!

 

(This from a guy who is taking weeks to select a rod to replace an old favorite that was broken.)

Perhaps having some understanding of The Natural Progression of a Basshead

could be of some value . . . . .

A-Jay

like this - Observe nature, learn something from each trip, take a little time to kick back and just immerse yourself in the fishing experience

-Keep an open mind.

-Fish the season, water temps, and weather (recent past weather + current weather), NOT lures. 

-Respect the fish, the water, and your fellow sportsmen.

-Pick up after yourself (and others if need be).

-It should mean a lot more to you than catching fish.  Find your reason.  (I find peace in it)  

Focus on heavy cover, deep or shallow.

Water temps in the mid 80's, focus on other interests.

Be a giver and not a taker.

Respect the resource.

Never think “you have arrived.”

Balance fishing with life’s true priorities.

Purpose yourself to learn something on every single trip.

Wear your PFD when running.

Protect your Skin and Hydrate.

Don’t do anything to tarnish your integrity.

Don’t allow anything to take the fun out of fishing.

FREQUENT THIS FORUM.

Watch your surroundings -keep your eyes peeled for signs of bait fish because bait fish normally means bass

Don't leave trash behind- if you can carry it in you can carry it out

Go early, often and stay late- nothing beats time on the water

Make friends with better anglers than yourself and learn from them

Don't roll up on somebody and fish next to them- if you wanna fish by them ask first

A skunking isn't a failure it is an opportunity for lots of learning

If you go into this looking for return on your investment based off of fish you catch just know you'll never break even- if that's an issue this ain't for you

The Golden Rule.

Tom

Do not leave fish to find fish. 

Sometimes you just have to keep casting. Might not be the best looking and you might not think fish are there but just keep fishing it. 

- The boat ramp is for launching and loading of the boat. Not for prepping to launch.

- Turn your headlights off while backing down the ramp, to keep from blinding others backing down.

- Start fishing fast and slow down until you find the speed the bass want.

- Be observant of wind, mudlines, clouds, birds, baitfish, etc. 

- Learn to analyze each catch, it'll improve your #'s.

- Lure retrievers save money.

- Don't be afraid to fish much smaller or much larger lures than fishermen in your area.

- Have fun and be safe.

A grown bass had tough life, dodging predators, ect. Treat them with Care, i.e handle them with WET hands as not to remove their slim coat, same goes for laying bass on most anything dry. Also, try not to leave your fish out of water any longer than necessary, they need water to breath, just like people need air.

Fishing is about having fun, but at the same time try to hone your fishing skills, and get in tune with the waters and surroundings where you fish. 

Don't use fluorocarbon unless breaking off the fish of a lifetime is something you find enjoyable.

5 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Do not leave fish to find fish. 

Or change a bait that's working to see if something else works better.

Golden Rule,also .keep your head on a swivel....don't be afraid to try something new.........oh yeah   have fun.

Respect 

 

 

 

                                                            

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

Or change a bait that's working to see if something else works better.

 

I slightly disagree.  Many times I'll work an area successfully with one bait till it dies.  Usually, I'll try something similar in profile/speed and something bigger and/or slower/faster and pick a few more off.  But you're sure right that the next spot gets worked with the initial successful bait first.

 

scott

Respect the fish, the environment, your fellow anglers and others on the water and remember why your there. Enjoy the adventure 

9 hours ago, Bird said:

Focus on heavy cover, deep or shallow.

Water temps in the mid 80's, focus on other interests.

My water is in the 90s, put 20 pounds in the kayak yesterday.

 

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Don't use fluorocarbon unless breaking off the fish of a lifetime is something you find enjoyable.

I'm almost exclusively fluorocarbon and don't break off many fish.

 

So, I reckon my fishing rule to live by is there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Keep it simple to start.

 

Don't get caught in a cycle of throwing the same baits with sub-par results. 

Don't be afraid to try a new technique as everyone else had to start brand new as well. 

Don't undersell your abilities because of your lack of high end equipment. 

Look, listen, learn. I've been fishing over 40 years and still learn something on every trip. 

 

Remember, it's about the experience. Some lakes don't have double digit bass in them. Who cares. Don't let that lessen your experiences and enjoyment of fishing. Catching a big bass is the ultimate goal, in most cases, just don't get too caught up on everyone else's definition of BIG. 

“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results”

 

-Winston Churchill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike