They are not limited to one season, though. A glide bait can catch bass from late winter through fall — and even in winter under the right conditions — but the way you fish it should change with water temperature, fish position and activity level.

Why glide baits work

A glide bait is typically a large, single-jointed hard swimbait that moves in a wide side-to-side or S-shaped path. That wide movement is important. Instead of simply tracking a bait moving in a straight line, a bass often has to change direction as it follows a glide bait. Sudden turns, pauses and changes in cadence can then trigger a fish that has been following without committing.

Glide baits also have tremendous drawing power. Bass may move a surprising distance to inspect a large bait, particularly in clear water. That makes a glide bait useful even when it does not produce an immediate strike: followers can reveal where large fish live and how they are positioned.

That is why experienced swimbait anglers often treat a glide bait as both a lure and a fish-finding tool.

When to fish a glide bait by season

Late winter and early prespawn

Glide baits can work surprisingly early in the year, especially in clear water during warming trends. Bassmaster has documented anglers using them around bluff walls, channel swings, laydowns, points, ditches and other obvious structure where winter and prespawn fish stage.

This is usually not the time for a nonstop high-speed retrieve. Cold bass are often less willing to expend energy, so slower glides, pauses and deliberate direction changes tend to make more sense. A sunny day can actually help in very clear water because this is a visual presentation and bass have a better opportunity to track the bait.

Good early-season situations: clear water, warming afternoons, staging points, channel swings, steep banks and large isolated cover.

Prespawn

Prespawn is one of the most interesting windows for big glide baits because large females are moving toward spawning areas and often stage on predictable structure. Points, secondary points, flats adjacent to deeper water, channel swings and the first major cover outside spawning pockets are all logical targets.

The key is fish mood. Some prespawn bass will aggressively follow and eat a glide; others will track it without committing. If you are getting followers, experiment with a harder directional change, a pause, or a sudden burst of speed rather than immediately abandoning the bait.

Postspawn and early summer

This may be the most consistently reliable glide-bait window. After spawning, bass often begin feeding to recover lost body condition. At the same time, many fish are still shallow enough that a glide bait can be worked above or beside them where its profile is easy to see.

Early-summer glide-bait fishing is especially effective around docks, spawning pockets, shoals, points and shallow-to-deep transitions. Wired2Fish notes that clear-water fisheries can be especially productive because the bait can draw fish from farther away.

If bass are active, you can often fish the bait faster than you might expect. If fish follow but do not commit, slowing the bait or adding a pause can convert followers into bites.

Summer

Do not put the glide bait away just because bass move deeper. Summer fish often relate to points, ledges, brush, deep weed edges, docks and offshore structure. A slow-sinking or weighted glide bait can be used to reach deeper fish, while a standard glide can still draw suspended bass upward.

Summer is often less about covering random shoreline and more about making a high-quality presentation over a place where a big bass is likely to live. Large fish around an isolated laydown, dock corner, brushpile, grass edge or point may move a considerable distance to inspect a glide bait when water clarity is sufficient.

Fall

Fall can be excellent because bass increasingly relate to baitfish. As shad, bluegill and other forage move, bass may be scattered from the bank to open water. A glide bait gives you a large, highly visible presentation that can cover the upper and middle portions of the water column and imitate a substantial meal.

Major League Fishing and Bassmaster both describe fall as a period when bass can be mobile and forage-oriented. If you find concentrations of bait near points, flats, creek mouths, docks or channel edges, a glide bait is worth trying — particularly when larger bass are present.

Winter

Winter is the most conditional season. A glide bait can still catch fish, particularly in clear reservoirs, but it is usually not the first choice in very cold water. Fish are often less willing to chase, so a slower presentation and a bait that can stay in the strike zone become important.

Think of winter gliding as a targeted technique rather than a search-everywhere technique: make deliberate casts around high-confidence structure where you believe a quality fish is positioned.

Water clarity may be the biggest clue

If there is one environmental factor that consistently comes up with glide-bait fishing, it is visibility. These are highly visual lures. Clear water lets bass see the profile and movement from much farther away, which expands the bait’s effective strike zone.

MLF’s Cody Meyer has described his favorite glide-bait setup as clear water with a little wind, targeting weed flats and edges, points, laydowns, docks and other shade. Another tournament perspective cited by Wired2Fish notes that with roughly 3 to 4 feet of visibility, a large glide can attract bass from considerable distance.

That does not mean glide baits cannot work in stained water. They can. But as visibility falls, their biggest advantage — their ability to draw fish visually from a long distance — is reduced.

Wind is usually your friend

A light to moderate breeze is one of the best conditions for a glide bait. Wind breaks up the surface, can position baitfish and bass, and makes it harder for fish in clear water to inspect every detail of a lure.

It can also make large bass less cautious. On a perfectly calm, clear lake, fish may follow a glide bait all the way to the boat without committing. Add a little ripple and those same fish may react more aggressively.

That said, do not automatically abandon the bait on a bright, calm day. Bassmaster has documented successful winter glide-bait fishing under bright sun and only a light breeze because the increased visibility helped fish track the lure. The important distinction is that sun, wind and water clarity interact rather than operating as simple on/off switches.

Cloudy or sunny?

Both can work, but for different reasons.

Clouds and wind can encourage bass to roam and make them less cautious, which often improves reaction bites. Bright sun can position fish tighter to shade, cover or structure and make them easier to target. In very clear water, sunlight also makes a glide bait easier for a bass to see from a distance.

On sunny days, focus on predictable ambush locations: dock shade, the edge of a laydown, a grass line, a point, a bluff transition or an isolated piece of cover. On cloudy days, be willing to cover more water because bass may roam farther from those objects.

The best places to throw a glide bait

Glide baits are most efficient when you put their drawing power in front of fish that have enough room to move toward the lure. Some of the best situations include:

• Points and secondary points — especially where shallow water falls quickly into deeper water.
• Weed edges and flats — a bass can rise out of vegetation or track the bait across open water.
• Docks — particularly outside corners, shade lines and the ends of docks near deeper water.
• Laydowns and isolated wood — make your first cast count and bring the bait past the highest-percentage portion of the cover.
• Bluff walls and channel swings — useful in winter and prespawn when bass stage near steep water.
• Shoals and drop-offs — fish can intercept the bait as it crosses the edge.
• Suspended fish — the large profile can call fish upward when visibility is good.

Use the fish’s reaction to tell you how to retrieve it

There is no single correct glide-bait retrieve. The best cadence is the one that makes the fish react.

If bass are active, begin with a steady retrieve and occasional directional changes. If fish follow but refuse to strike, try slowing down, pausing, or making the bait suddenly turn. If fish show no interest at all, sometimes speeding up is the answer.

A useful mindset is to treat every follower as information. Did the fish come from deep water? From a dock? From a grass edge? Did it lose interest when the bait slowed down or when it sped up? Glide-bait fishing can show you bass that you might never know were there.

When not to fish a glide bait

A glide bait is not automatically the right tool just because big bass live in the lake. There are times when another lure is more efficient.

Consider putting it down when the water is extremely muddy, when bass are buried so tightly in heavy cover that they cannot see or move to the lure, when fish are extremely inactive and unwilling to chase, or when you need to rapidly generate numbers of bites rather than target higher-quality fish.

Even then, a glide bait can still be useful as a scouting tool. A fish that follows without eating has still told you where it lives.

Our simple glide-bait decision checklist

Bottom line

If you are waiting for a single magic water temperature or calendar date before throwing a glide bait, you are probably waiting too long. The better question is whether the fish, forage, visibility and location make sense for a large visual presentation.

For many fisheries, the highest-confidence period runs from the prespawn through fall, with postspawn and early summer particularly strong. Clear water and a little wind are classic conditions, but glide baits can produce in a much wider range of situations when you adjust retrieve speed, depth and target selection.

And remember: a follow is not necessarily a failed cast. One of the biggest advantages of a glide bait is that it can make a big bass reveal itself.

Want to go deeper?

For more on bait selection, retrieves and targeting trophy largemouth, see our earlier guide: Mastering Glide Baits: A Guide to Hooking Trophy-Sized Largemouth Bass.

Sources and further reading

Major League Fishing — Meyer and Knight Break Down Glide Baits

Bassmaster — Land of Giants: Early Season Slaunches

Wired2Fish — Early Summer Glide Bait Fishing

Wired2Fish — Fishing Glide Baits and Bass Behavior

The post When to Fish a Glide Bait for Bass: Best Seasons, Conditions & Spots first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

Chad Shad Glide Bait

1. Choosing the Right Glide Bait: Selecting the appropriate glide bait is crucial for success. Opt for larger-sized baits that closely resemble the forage found in the water body you’re fishing. Consider the color patterns and finishes that imitate the prevalent baitfish species. Additionally, ensure that the bait has a smooth gliding action and good buoyancy to entice big bass.
2. Understanding the Retrieve: The retrieve is the key to triggering strikes from trophy largemouth bass. Start by casting the glide bait near potential holding areas such as weed edges, submerged structures, or drop-offs. Allow the bait to sink to the desired depth before initiating your retrieve. Once you start retrieving, impart a side-to-side gliding motion by manipulating the rod tip. This action should mimic an injured or fleeing baitfish, enticing the bass to strike.
3. Timing and Patience: Patience is crucial when fishing with glide baits. Allow the bait to work its magic by giving it enough time to glide through the water column. Largemouth bass are known for their ambush instincts, so it’s essential to give them an opportunity to observe and strike the bait. Vary the speed and cadence of your retrieve to determine the most effective presentation for the day.
4. Focus on Key Locations: To increase your chances of connecting with trophy bass, focus on high-percentage areas. Look for cover such as submerged vegetation, laydowns, rocks, or any structure that offers hiding spots for big bass. Glide baits excel in open water and can be worked around these areas to provoke a reaction from lurking giants.
5. Pay Attention to Seasonal Patterns: Understanding seasonal patterns is vital for successful glide bait fishing. In warmer months, bass are often more active and willing to chase down fast-moving prey. Speed up your retrieve and cover a larger area to trigger reaction strikes. In colder months or during the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods, slow down your retrieve and allow the bait to stay in the strike zone longer, tempting the bass to strike. For a season-by-season breakdown, see When to Fish a Glide Bait for Bass.
6. Experiment with Retrieves and Depths: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different retrieves and depths to figure out what the bass prefer on a particular day. Glide baits can be retrieved at different speeds, including slow, medium, or even fast. Additionally, try adjusting the depth by altering the length of your pause during the retrieve or by using sinking or suspending glide baits.

Fishing glide baits for trophy-sized largemouth bass is an exhilarating and rewarding endeavor. By selecting the right bait, mastering the retrieve, and understanding the key factors that influence bass behavior, you can greatly increase your chances of hooking into a true lunker. Remember to stay patient, adapt to seasonal patterns, and experiment with different techniques to unlock the full potential of glide bait fishing. So, gear up, hit the water, and get ready to tangle with those monstrous largemouth bass!

The post Mastering Glide Baits: A Guide to Hooking Trophy-Sized Largemouth Bass first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

The post How to Catch Spawning Bass first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

The first step in rigging an Alabama rig is to select the right rod and reel. A medium-heavy or heavy action rod with a fast taper is best for casting and working the rig. A high-speed baitcasting reel with a good drag system is also necessary to help control the fish once they are hooked.

Next, tie the main line to the eyelet at the base of the rig. This can be done using a Palomar knot or a double uni knot. The main line should be a braided or fluorocarbon line with a test strength of 20-30 pounds.

The Alabama rig is made up of a main wire that is connected to several smaller wires. Each of these smaller wires is called a “arm” of the rig and they are equipped with a swivel. To assemble the rig, attach a swivel to the end of each arm and then tie the swivel to the main wire.

Attach the lures to the swivels on the arms of the rig. The most popular choices for lures are soft plastic swimbaits, grubs, and minnows. The key to rigging the lures is to make sure they are the same length and color. This creates a natural look that mimics a school of baitfish. Lots of anglers will change out one lure so that there is one “baitfish” that looks different from the pack.

Once the rig is assembled, it is ready to be cast. The Alabama rig is best fished in open water, such as around points, drop-offs, and other structure. When casting, make sure to use a smooth and steady retrieve. This will help to keep the lures at the same depth and create a natural swimming action.

When fishing an Alabama rig, it is important to pay attention to the way the fish are biting. If they are biting the lures on the outside of the rig, try to move the lures closer to the center. If they are biting the lures on the inside of the rig, try to move the lures further away from the center.

Another effective technique is to fish the Alabama rig around submerged vegetation. This creates a natural environment that bass find appealing. Once you have located a school of bass, cast the rig into the area and slowly retrieve it through the vegetation.

When a bass is hooked, it is important to use the drag system on the reel to control the fish. The Alabama rig is a heavy rig and it will take a lot of pressure to reel the fish in. The fish will likely make several runs before it can be landed.

The post How to Rig and Fish an Alabama Rig (A-Rig) first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

Largemouth bass are one of the most popular freshwater game fish in North America, and for good reason. These hard-fighting fish are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic leaps, making them a thrill to catch.

Professional Angler Justin Lucas

When fishing for largemouth bass in clear water, there are a few key tactics to keep in mind. The first is to use natural-colored bass lures that mimic the local forage. Clear water allows fish to see your lure better, so it’s important to use something that looks like the food they’re used to eating. Some popular choices include soft plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits in natural colors like green, brown, or silver.

Another important tactic when fishing for largemouth bass in clear water is to use a stealthy approach. Clear water allows fish to see you, so it’s important to move slowly and quietly when approaching a spot. Wearing natural-colored clothing and using a low-profile fishing vessel like a kayak or canoe can help you blend in with your surroundings.

In clear water, bass can often be found around structure such as logs, rocks, and weed beds. These areas provide cover for the fish, as well as a source of food. When fishing around structure, it’s important to make your lure look like it’s part of the natural environment. A soft plastic worm rigged weedless on a jighead can be fished around weed beds without getting snagged.

Another effective technique when fishing for largemouth bass in clear water is to use a topwater lure. Topwater lures like poppers and walking baits create a commotion on the surface of the water, which can entice bass to strike. These lures are especially effective in the early morning or late evening when the water is calm and clear.

In clear water, the fish can be spooky, so it’s important to use light tackle. Use a light line, and a light-action rod to present your lure more naturally. The thinner the line, the less visible it is to the fish and the less likely they are to be spooked by it.

Fishing for largemouth bass in clear water can be challenging, but with the right tactics and equipment, it can also be incredibly rewarding. By using natural-colored lures, a stealthy approach, and fishing around structure, you’ll be well on your way to catching some of these hard-fighting fish. Remember to use light tackle, and be prepared to be patient and persistent. With the right approach, you’ll be able to catch some great largemouth bass in clear water.

The post How To Fish For Largemouth Bass In Clear Water first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

Andrew Wheeler on Lake Travis in central Texas

Largemouth bass are a popular game fish in the central Texas region, and fishing for them using a swim jig can be a highly effective method. Timing still matters, so it helps to understand seasonal largemouth bass feeding patterns. A swim jig is a type of fishing lure that is designed to mimic the swimming motion of small fish or other prey that largemouth bass commonly feed on.

The first step in fishing for largemouth bass using a swim jig is to select the right type of lure. Swim jigs come in a variety of sizes and colors, and the right choice will depend on the conditions of the water you are fishing in. In general, it is best to use a swim jig that is between 3/8 and 1/2 ounce in weight, and that is colored to match the natural prey that largemouth bass are accustomed to feeding on in your area.

Once you have selected the right swim jig, it is important to rig it up properly. The best way to rig a swim jig is to tie it to the end of your fishing line using a Palomar knot. This is a strong and reliable knot that will allow your swim jig to move freely through the water.

When fishing for largemouth bass using a swim jig, it is important to choose the right location. Look for areas of the lake or river that have a lot of cover, such as logs, rocks, or weed beds. Largemouth bass like to hide in these types of places, so they are likely to be found in these areas.

Another important factor to consider when fishing for largemouth bass using a swim jig is the time of day. Largemouth bass are most active during the early morning and late evening, so these are the best times to fish. During the hottest part of the day, the fish will be less active and may be harder to catch.

When you are ready to start fishing, cast your swim jig out into the water and begin to retrieve it slowly. You want to mimic the swimming motion of small fish or other prey, so make sure to retrieve your swim jig in a steady and smooth motion. As you retrieve your swim jig, keep an eye out for any signs of fish activity, such as a fish jumping out of the water or a sudden change in the water’s surface.

Once you have a bite, set the hook quickly and firmly. Largemouth bass are known to be strong fighters, so be prepared for a battle when reeling in your catch. Use a heavy-duty rod and reel, and keep a firm grip on the rod at all times.

When reeling in your catch, it is important to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Largemouth bass are sensitive to air, and they can easily die if they are out of the water for too long. Once you have successfully landed your fish, release it back into the water as soon as possible.

In conclusion, fishing for largemouth bass using a swim jig can be a highly effective method in the central Texas region. With the right type of swim jig, proper rigging, and an understanding of the best fishing locations and times, you can increase your chances of catching these elusive fish. Remember to always follow local fishing regulations and to practice catch-and-release to ensure the sustainability of the species.

The post How to Fish a Swim Jig first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

BIC Lighter Largemouth Bass

You can also purchase specialty BIC lighters (like the one above) which look custom but are made by the company and only a few dollars.

The post Largemouth Bass on a BIC Lighter first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

How To Create A Hook From Ringpull Instructions

A clever brewing company has come up with the novel idea to create a fish hook out of a beer can tab. If you are more interested in actually tying on a hook, see our fishing knots guide. The brewery includes the 4 steps required to make a fish hook of out the can tab. The tab comes perforated in the appropriate sections so that it easily snaps from the twisting and folding action.

1. REMOVE RINGPULL FROM CAN
2. CUT ON LINES ———-
3. TWIST AND FOLD LOOP BACKWARDS
4. TIE ON LINE AND GO FISHING

While MacGyver-types have always been able to create things like hooks from a can tab with a simple pair of pliers – this makes it that much easier.

Fish Hook From Beer Ringpull

As you can tell from this Reddit thread, not everybody loves the novelty – with some commenters mentioning that if one plans to fish they will be prepared and would not need to rely on a beer ringpull for a hook or that you could cut yourself in the process of making it.

The fish hook – once produced from the can tab – does not look suitable to hold much other than live or cut-bait. It would be difficult to rig a soft-plastic and you run the likely event that the hook will bend or break if something of relative size bites.

The post Beer Can With Fish Hook Tab (Ringpull) first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

A bass jig is one of the most versatile lures an angler can learn. It can be crawled along the bottom, pitched into cover, hopped down ledges or swum through vegetation depending on the jig style and trailer.

How to Fish a Jig for Bass

Start by letting the jig reach the depth you want to fish. For bottom presentations, use short hops, drags and pauses while keeping enough contact with the bait to feel changes in weight. Around docks, bushes and other cover, pitch the jig accurately and let it fall on a controlled line. Many bites happen on that initial fall.

Basic Bass Jig Setup

A medium-heavy or heavy baitcasting rod with a fast action is a common starting point. Match line strength to the cover: fluorocarbon works well around rock and relatively open water, while braid is useful in thick vegetation. Add a craw-style or other soft-plastic trailer to change the jig’s profile and action.

When to Fish a Jig

Jigs can work year-round, but they are especially useful around bottom structure and cover when bass are feeding on crawfish or when a compact presentation is needed. For a moving presentation, see our swim jig guide. For another versatile soft-plastic option, see our Senko review.

COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZED

Skirted Weedless Jig with Soft Plastic Trailer © Bass Fishing Facts

Jigs are the most customizable bait in bass fishing. Fishermen have several choices when deciding on a jig setup – from the jig head, skirt, and soft-plastic trailer.

Anglers can choose between:

Jig Head: Size, Color, Shape, Weight

Jig Skirt: Color, Length

Jig Trailer: Color, Shape, Length

Jig Add-Ons: Weed-Guard, Rattle

An example JIG set up: A ¾ oz. black-and-blue Strike King Hack Attack Jig paired with a Junebug Strike King Rage Tail Craw trailer.

Kevin Van Dam says he would pick a jig and crankbait if he could only have two baits. His tip for anglers working on the technique is to go to places where you know you can get bites.

HOW TO FISH A JIG

Jigs are traditionally meant to be dragged along the lake bottom. However, anglers can also hop or swim them back on their retrieve. Using a jig allows fishermen to tell the lake bottom composition. Anglers can use heavy jigs with weed-guards to flip and pitch to punch through vegetation and target hard to reach bass. Jigs can imitate everything from scurrying crawfish to swimming shad depending on the setup.

KVD pairs with BPS to bring you a the jig fishing tips video you see below.

CATCH BIG FISH

If jigs are known for one thing – it’s for catching HUGE bass. Maybe the saying larger fish eat larger baits or the fact they are so customized but jigs can be a difference maker for angler on the water.

Just this year, up and coming Carhart sponsored angler, Jordan Lee won the 2017 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Conroe by using a homemade football jig paired with a Rage Craw and a Space Monkey for a trailer.

The current world record spotted bass caught on New Bullards Bar Resevoir in Califronia by Nick Dulleck in February 2017 was caught using a dirty jigs finesse football jig paired with a Gary Yamamoto Double Tail Grub trailer

The post Jig Fishing | How To Fish a Jig for Bass first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

How to Lip a Bass Safely

For a small largemouth bass, grip the lower jaw firmly with your thumb inside the mouth and fingers beneath the jaw. Keep the fish upright and avoid twisting or sharply bending the jaw. For a larger bass, support the body with your second hand instead of letting the fish’s full weight hang from its mouth. Keep handling and air exposure brief, take the photo quickly, and return the fish to the water as soon as possible.

Quick rule: lip the fish for control, support bigger bass with two hands, and never use the jaw as a lever to hold a heavy fish horizontally.

Many anglers in today’s day and age are not out fishing for dinner but rather out fishing for the love of the tug, addicted to catching fish and enjoying spending time on the water. If anglers don’t plan to keep and clean the fish for the frying pan – then it is essential that they follow the prescribed catch, photo, and release (CPR) procedures to ensure bass are handled safety and have high rates of survival once returned to the water.

Lipping a largemouth bass.

1.THE CATCH – When you feel that “tap” or see your line moving – set the hook and begin to reel! While some pro’s will swing fish into the boat, that practice is generally discouraged for novice anglers. Lipping or netting the fish is the recommended way to secure the catch.

• Lipping – anglers grasp a bass with their thumb and forefinger gripping the bottom lip, using their second hand to support the body if the fish is of larger size. Lipping bass can cause abrasions to the skin as bass have sandpaper like teeth along their lips that can scratch.
• Netting – the fish should be near the surface of the water but not above. Be careful not to hit the fish with the rim of the net or extend it towards the fish too early.

Keep the fish submerged underwater for as long as possible – this allows the fish to breathe and keeps stress and time out of the water to a minimum. TIP – bass are covered in slime – this protective layer helps keep bass healthy. When a fish is put on to the ground, a boat floor, or handled with dry hands, it can remove this protective slime and hurt the fish’s chance for survival.

A great bass fishing picture via @bassfishingliz on instagram

Remove the hook(s) as quickly as possible – having a pair of pliers on hand can make things much easier.

2. THE PHOTO – Be sure to bring along your phone, GoPro or DSLR to document your catch! If you are into tracking size or length of your catch be sure to bring your scale or hawg trough. The key when taking photos is to find a pose that maximizes your good looks and the size of the fish but that takes very little time. I’ve mentioned before that kneeling with an arm extended is one of the best ways to achieve great fish photos.

3. THE RELEASE – Timing and gentleness are key. Set the fish back into the water while either lipping it or grasping its body. The fish should be supported until is begins to move or swim on its own. Most fish will begin to swim within 3-5 seconds, if not immediately. You may want to work a fish back and forth, in an almost swimming motion, to push water across its gills, if it does not respond a few seconds after placing it in the water.

Largemouth bass gentle release.

Tossing a fish back into the water ultimately may not injure the fish, but placing it in the water and allowing it to regain its bearing is preferred.

• DO place the fish gently into the water
• DO ensure the fish is able to swim on its own before releasing grasp
• DO work fish in swimming motion to help it breathe
• DO NOT throw or toss the fish
• DO NOT leave any hooks or fishing line in the fish

The post How to Catch, Photo, and Release (CPR) Largemouth Bass first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.