So - now I have caught my first bass - go me  I have put some money into basic equipment (not tons but enough to get started).  I am now wondering is bass fishing a year round sport, or is it only this "special" spawn time thing in the spring?  Can I fish the summer and get fish or do I have to play golf?  

At this moment I feel like this - bass have to eat all year round, why can't it be what I'm offering all year round?  Is this a technique type answer or is it something else?

Do you have to have a boat to bass fish year round or can it be done from shore?  I also don't want to restrict my fishing to early morning or afternoon.  

I appreciate your thoughts.

dude fishing is 24-7 / 365!  it just gets expensive the more you get into it, i'm not complaining though...

It seems to just depend what part of the country you fish and so forth. Out here for the most part I feel I can catch a bass almost everyday of the year.  

I live in PA and in my home ponds I can catch fish from ice off to ice on.  theres no real time frame either, 12:00 am to 11:59pm (You gotta let the fish have alteast a minute to themselves lol)

look through the articles about different times during the year and best techniques and tips for them  

If you look around you will see there is a lot of great information here

o and btw 24/7 365 baby the cold cant stop me lol but down south we dont have ice so thats nice

I'm in San Jose, CA - so ice is well  ;D...

Thanks for the input, now I can confidently work on my technique and knowledge year long.  

Another Cali guy, huh?? Well a quick answer is: we here in CA are so fortunate that we CAN fish year round, unlike some of our Eastern BR members who have real adverse weather and cold to deal with. Several Northern CA guys are already slaying BIG bass as evidenced by the BR Tournament that is underway. You certainly can fish year round, as can I, luckily, but you will need to learn some extra techniques for when the water in your area gets cold AND you will need to learn patience and how to fish SLOW and deep. Hopefully some of the more experienced Cali guys will chime in and give you some great tips/advice. I fully intend to fish year round here in Diego too. We have several great bass lakes and I know one of them is harboring my PB.

PS: congratulations on catching your first bass!! Now you've gone and done it! You'll be hooked for life (pun intended:o) Just beware of the "Curse of the Bait Monkey".

Beware of the BaitMonkey, x2. Be thankful that you are able to fish year round, I know I am. You can never learn enough and this is a great place to start.

In your area, year around for sure! Read the fishing articles at

the top of the page, especially the "Beginners" section. Our library

is extensive. I'm confident you will find the various articles helpful.

Good luck.

8-)

Thanks guys.  I caught my second bass today, but so small is barely counts,  I caught it on a crank off a point in the shallows - it followed the crank in.  After that nothing bit there at all on drop worm or crank or spinner or senko.  I am going to try a different lake tomorrow and hope to get something better.  

What I am trying to understand is how to 1. increase the catch count and 2. increase the size.  

Any tips are appreciated.

I love this site

Lol the answer to both of your questions is experience on the water.  I'm glad to hear about your second bass, I'm sure there are plenty more lining up for you