I am rather new to bassin' and am really looking forward to what will be my second summer of bass fishing. Last year I had a good amount of luck late may and early june. This may have been attributed to something as simple as beginners luck but I was wondering if anyone had any tips specific to this time of year. I am in school up until the end of may so when I get out I do the bulk of my fishing. Any specific types of baits that work well? I know matching the hatch is important but what colors work best? More active baits like spinners or chatters? Is worming a good enough strategy? I know varying my retrieve is important but how can I get more consistent success and change my strategy based on time of year and weather?

On a related topic I wanted to know if anyone has tips on where to fish in connecticut. I live in fairfield county and was fishing at a nice reservoir but was informed by those patrolling the area I should not be there...hahaha. The fishing was good while it lasted but I am currently looking for a new spot where I can catch anything above two pounds consistently. I don't have a boat so I do shore fishing almost exclusively.

I know I asked a lot haha so any help is appreciated. I know experience is a lot but I want to prepare the best I can to have the most success I can this coming season. Thanks all God bless

Have you read  "Fishing Articles" on the top left corner of this page ? There is very extensive info there on every thing you need to know.

Tips for this time of year? In Conn? Pfffttt....

Wish I had something to tell you. Even here in Al, I have been getting OWNED in the last month. I started out December HAWT. Starting around the 15th, it was downhill. Literally, no bites from bass in the last two trips.

My favorite time to fish is that window you discribe in may to mid june.  The fish are up shallow and eager to bite. 

Try a texas rig worm or a lizard in a dark color along shallow flats then.   Craw it along the bottom at a medium speed.  Pay special attention to areas with wood cover.  Shallow running cranks, lipless cranks and spinnerbaits are worth a try too but I catch my bigger fish on the T-rigs.

As for the other times of the year do our research on this site and other sources.  Then fish as much as you can.  There is no subsititue for time on the water and experience to help you "read" the conditions and find fish.

Good luck finding that place you can consistently catch 2lbers.   

Read read read. LOTS out there. The articles section on this site will get you on the ground and running by then.

One tip: Don't spend a whole lot right off -don't get carried away -yet LOL. Let the waters you fish dictate what you need. That'll come.

There are some lures out there that I would say are absolutely "must haves", at least for Guntersville.

1) Lucky Craft Sammy 100 in Aurora Black+ghost

2) Mulitple backs of magnum lizards in green pumpkin, junebug, motor oil

3) Terminator spinnerbait in 3/8ths or 1/2, white or clear with silver heads+boogey trailer

4) Snag proof frog in 1/2 once...really any color seems to work, but I stay with black, tweety, and shamoo

5)Rapala DT-series, complete line up of silver and bleeding olive shad

I could tell you some specialty lures, but they are hit and miss.

I live in Pa and mid May is when I hit the lake for bass fishing. You could never go wrong with wacky rigged senkos or Texas rigged worms or tubes. Also I get decent hits on the flat lip less crank baits.

Spend some time is our library, "Fishing Articles"

and "Tacklebox" at the top of the page. This will

get you started:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1158577137

8-)

Dude i cannot WAIT till spring. im tired of this freezing slow drop shotting crap