When you’re fishing in a new lake, it can be a bit tricky to know where to find bass. But there are a few thumb rules that will help you narrow down your search area. Using that information, you can find bass no matter the season which plays an important role. If you’re looking for a quick answer, here it is.
There are three important things to know when you’re trying to find bass. You must find places in the lake that are hard to reach. This means under trees or through the bushes or around boulders.
While that’s the simple answer, actually finding bass isn’t always that straightforward, especially if you are new to the activity. Let’s take a look at the ifs and buts of this advice.
You need to look for their hiding spots but you must be strategic about your approach.
Then you must take the weather into account as well.
And finally, you should cultivate sources that can give you specific information about the area where you are fishing.
We’ll break it all down for you.
Popular Bass-Hiding Spots
1. Channel Bends
One of the most popular hiding places for bass is the point where the water body bends.
So, you should look near the turns of the river or the edges of the shoreline.
If you see these places from a high altitude point, you will get visual evidence.
These corners are called channel bends and bass like them because they can access deep and shallow waters quite easily from here.
The bend also allows them to hide and ambush their prey.
You can also do some research beforehand and use topographical maps to identify the spots where you should camp out.
2. Ripraps
These are manmade covers that are placed strategically along shorelines to stop erosion.
Bass that are trying to hunt baitfish, crawfish or minnows like to camp out here because it’s the perfect habitat for them and their prey.
3. Points
In fishing terminology, this is a place where the bottom of the water body is shallower than the rest of the area. Bass are popular for hiding in these spots.
So, you must figure out where these points are before you go fishing.
And you will have better luck finding them if you use moving baits.
4. Isolated Covers
Little pieces of debris that have been abandoned are also a popular hiding spot for bass.
So, you want to look around boulders and laydowns to find bass that is hiding for its prey.
You should also spot isolated wooden covers like laid down logs, standing timber, and stumps since wood is one of their favorite places to hide and to live as well.
This is where they wait for unsuspecting prey that is swimming by.
You will need moving bait that can bounce off wood such as a squarebill.
You can also use slower bait such as the Texas-rigged worm.
5. Docks
This is a great hiding place for bass all year long.
So, you can expect to find them with ease.
Docks are known to be a quick and reliable fishing spot for bass.
That’s because bass can easily find shade and also the cover they need to ambush their prey.
6. Underwater Spots
Bass are also known to strategically find spots in the water body that are different from their surroundings.
So, if you can find underwater humps, you can expect to find hiding bass.
You will need to use moving bait such as deep-diving crankbait or try drop shotting.
7. Vegetation
Bass also love to hide under vegetation like dollar pads, hydrilla, and reeds.
This is another reliable spot because bass living in lakes always look for vegetation.
How Weather and Water Temperature Affect Bass Fishing
1. Wind
The wind is a key factor when you’re fishing for bass.
When it’s windy, it pushes the fish to the surface of the water column, which makes it easier to find them.
In this case, you will need walking bait or chatterbait because they are loud and attract the attention of the bass.
When it is very windy, you will need to attract bass at the bottom. For that, you will need bait with some weight and not soft plastics.
RELATED: When Is It Too Windy To Fish?
2. Water
The temperature of the water body is another important factor when you’re looking at the weather.
If the lake or river is very cold or very hot, you need to find a spot that has a moderate temperature in comparison. This is where bass hides.
So, when you are in cold water bodies, you should look for a warmer spot and vice versa because that’s where bass are trying to make themselves comfortable.
Just about two degrees in temperature can make a lot of difference.
Watch: How Weather Influences Fish Behavior and Location:
Where To Ask Around for Bass Fishing Spots?
1. Tackle and Bait Stores
There’s nothing like finding people who know the region and can tell you the weak spots of bass in that water body.
So, find the nearest bait store and talk to the staff.
They love sharing their knowledge which is an added benefit for you.
They love to help because it earns them goodwill with the local fishery.
They will also help you out with the most effective baits for the spots they recommend.
That will make life easier for you.
2. Marinas
The staff at marinas also deal with this all year long and have insights to share.
They also tend to talk to the other anglers and have no reason to hide that information from you.
Take advantage of that.
3. Social Media
Social media platforms where anglers and influencers love to flaunt their finds and information are also great sources for specifics.
Hop into a couple of online communities and well, fish for information.
You might even make some friends.
What Is the Best Time to Catch a Bass?
The best time to catch bass can vary depending on the specific fishing location and the time of year.
However, there are a few general patterns and tips that can help increase the chances of catching bass:
- Early Morning: Dawn and early morning are often considered the best time to catch bass. Bass tend to feed more actively in the early morning when the water is cool, clear, and still, and when natural food is more readily available.
- Late Evening: Similar to early morning, late evening can also be a good time to catch bass. The water is still and cool and bass tend to be more active before sunset.
- Spring: During the springtime, bass begin to spawn and move into shallow water. This can make them more susceptible to anglers using lures and baits.
- Summer: Summer can be a bit more challenging for bass fishing, but it is still possible to catch them. Early morning and late evening are still best, but in the middle of the day, bass tend to seek out deep water or shade to avoid the heat.
- Fall: As the water cools down again in the fall, bass becomes more active and will begin to feed heavily before winter.
It’s also important to note that bass is less likely to bite when the water temperature is extremely hot or cold, during stormy weather, or during the middle of the day when the sun is high.
It is always a good idea to be aware of the weather conditions and water temperature before going fishing and to experiment with different lures and baits to see what works best in a given situation.
What Depth Do Bass Swim At?
The depth at which bass swim can vary depending on several factors, such as water temperature, weather conditions, and the time of day.
In general, bass tends to move deeper during the hot summer months when the surface water is warm, and shallower during the cooler months when the surface water is cooler.
Bass are known to move in and out of different water levels depending on the environment and the availability of food.
Typically, bass spends most of their time in water that is around 5-15 feet deep, but they can also be found in water as deep as 30 feet or more.
They tend to move towards shallower waters during feeding times and retreat to deeper waters during inactivity.
During the spring and early summer, as the water warms up, bass will begin to spawn and move into shallow water to lay their eggs, which can make them more susceptible to anglers using lures and baits.
During fall, as the water cools down, bass becomes more active and will begin to feed heavily before winter, and can be found in slightly deeper waters again.
It’s important to note that the actual depth can vary depending on the location, the time of year, the species of bass, and other local factors, like the presence of cover, the type of structure, and the availability of food.
It’s good practice to do some research and consult local fishing experts or check fishing reports to get a better sense of where to find bass in a specific location.
How Do You Target Bass?
There are several ways to target bass, and different methods may be more effective depending on the specific fishing location and the time of year.
Here are a few general tips for targeting bass:
- Lures: One of the most popular ways to target bass is by using artificial lures, such as spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastic worms. These lures can mimic the appearance and movement of natural prey, making them attractive to bass.
- Live bait: Using live bait, such as worms, minnows, or crayfish, can also be an effective way to target bass. Live bait can imitate the movement and scent of natural prey, making them more attractive to bass.
- Structure: Targeting bass around structures, such as logs, rocks, or vegetation, can be an effective way to find and catch them. These structures can provide cover and ambush points for bass, making them more likely to be in the area.
- Seasonal patterns: Knowing the seasonal patterns of bass can help to predict where they will be at different times of the year. In the spring, bass tends to move into shallower water to spawn, while during the summer, they tend to move deeper or seek out shade to avoid the heat.
- Time of day: The timing of the fishing is also important, early morning and late evening are considered as the best time to catch bass as they are more active during these periods.
It’s also good to experiment with different techniques, lures, and baits, and to adjust your strategy based on the water conditions, temperature, and the results you are getting.
It’s also important to check for local regulations on bass fishing and to always practice catch-and-release if the area is regulated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the location of where bass hides can vary depending on a number of factors such as the time of year, water temperature, and weather conditions.
Bass are known to seek out structures like logs, rocks, vegetation, drop-offs, points, and ledges as well as move to deeper waters in the summer and shallower waters during the spawning season in the spring.
They tend to move into coves, bays, and the backwaters of rivers and streams during the summer and in the early fall when the water is warmer.
Knowing the seasonal patterns, water temperature, and weather conditions, as well as the local structure, can help anglers to predict where bass may be hiding and increase their chances of catching them.
As always, it is also important to check local regulations and practice responsible and sustainable fishing.
Tight lines, bend rods, and may all your fishes come true!