Bass Fishing

Top pros reveal how water clarity affects bass behavior and fishing tactics.

Al Lindner explains how to understand the seemingly erratic movements of suspended smallmouths.

There’s something downright scary about bass fishing in dense surface vegetation. Even approaching a big field of lily pads or a tangled hydrilla mat is enough to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck in anticipation of a strike from one of the giant bass that lurk in these seemingly impenetrable clots of cover

When Clark Wendlandt’s parents took him out on lakes near Austin, Texas, as a child, trolling for anything that would bite was casual family fun.

Smallmouth expert Curt Samo wrings the utmost from crayfish-style baits.

Warm-water river systems across the continent hold decent populations of largemouth bass. The trick is catching ’em, especially in late winter and early spring, when high, cold water makes life miserable for bass and fishermen alike.

Although bass have pretty much stayed the same as long as we’ve pursued them, changes in habitats, fisheries-management knowledge and angling tactics have affected bass fishing for decades. A look at the major trends offers fascinating historical perspective.

Tied on a beer can lately? Don’t laugh. They’re for real, even though most North American bassmen believe these cheesy cylindrical baits are novelties—goofy gags to bestow upon a brother-in-law or fishin’ buddy. Fact is they’re huge among tournament diehards in Japan...

Using a long-handled baitcasting rod, make a sidearm lob-cast-to avoid tangling the leader. After the sinker hits bottom, begin a slow, steady retrieve.

Byron Velvick didn’t invent swimbait fishing. Fabled California anglers like Dave Rush and Russ Meyer were the first to explore the allure of the big pieces of wood and soft plastic on spawning bass in Western waters.