Bass Fishing - America's Outdoor Sport

Since its inception in the late 1800s, bass fishing hastype blades that churn the water on retrieval),
been an exciting sport that captured the attention ofspinner baits (baits similar in shape to an open safety
many anglers. In the early part of the 19th century,pin with a hook) and plastic or rubber representations
sport anglers in the United states mostly confinedof live bait. In the latter case, particular colors may
themselves to trout and salmon fishing with fly rods.work best on any given day. These artificial baits
Bass fishing was mostly done for sustenance at thathave the advantage of not needing to be kept alive,
time, using poles and live bait. Because of this, bassor purchased just before a fishing trip. Artificial baits
fishing in the United States evolved almost entirelyalso come in a wide variety of colors to make them
without influence from Europe's sport fishing tradition.more appealing to fish and more difficult to lose.
The working class history of bass fishing shows inBeginning bass anglers are recommended to start out
the traditional baitcasting reel that is the most popularin small ponds. These smaller fishing grounds will tend
among bass anglers. These reels store line on ato contain smaller fish, but are excellent practice
revolving spool, reeling it back up via a handle, usuallygrounds before moving on to larger lakes. Wherever
mounted on the right hand side of the reel. Baityou fish, you will find that bass love to play hide and
casting reels allow for more delicate placement ofseek. They are often found lurking near structures
bait and lures, but traditionally require more finesse toand obstacles in the water, such as boat docks. If
use because of the danger of overspinning the reelthese are not available, places where water and
and tangling the line. These reels are also capable ofplants change, such as the transition between rocky
using a heavier line than spinning reels.pond bottom and sand, or the transition between
While the mention of bass fishing may give youtypes of pond weed, can be good places to look for
visions of cartons of squirming night crawlers, mostbass. Time, practice, and luck will land you your
bass anglers now use artificial bait. Common artificialperfect bass. Once you hook your first quality bass,
baits include buzzbaits (an artificial bait with propelleryou too will catch bass fever.