| If you want to catch big bass, one of the best baits | | | | is the amount of dead weight that line will hold |
| on the planet is live bait. Live bait catches a lot of | | | | without breaking. |
| bass and in this article I'll provide some tips to make | | | | 2. The Smell Of Your Bait - Your bait should smell like |
| you more successful when using live bait for bass | | | | it does naturally. When we handle our bait any scents |
| fishing. The most common live bait for bass is bait | | | | that are on our hands will transfer to the bait. This is |
| fish such as minnows, shad, and even small sunfish. | | | | why you always want to make sure that your hands |
| Some others would include live crayfish, mud puppies, | | | | are free from any unnatural scents like smoke or |
| and leeches. Whatever live bait you choose to use, | | | | gasoline. This can be accomplished by quickly washing |
| these simple tips will make that bait more effective. | | | | your hands with odor neutralizing soap. |
| Before getting down to the tips themselves I think | | | | 3. The Size Of Your Hooks - A common |
| it's important to point out that when using this type | | | | misconception is that the larger the hook, the bigger |
| of bait, you're bait should be a lively as possible. If | | | | the fish you can catch. This is a complete fallacy. You |
| your live bait is the least bit "dead" or "dying" it will | | | | want to match your hooks to the bait that's being |
| be much less effective. The bottom line is that when | | | | used. For example if you are using a small sunfish as |
| using bait that's alive for bass you always want the | | | | bait, a #4 or 6 circle hook hooked below the dorsal |
| bait to be as "alive" as possible. | | | | fin should be fine. If you are using a "normal" sized |
| Keep the below tips in mind the next time you use | | | | minnow or shiner at set of #10 or #8 gang-hooks, |
| this type of bait for bass (or any other fish for that | | | | hooking the baitfish through the lips should suffice. |
| matter). | | | | The size of your hooks makes a difference when |
| | | | using live bait for bass. |
| 1. Your Line Weight - When using live bait you want | | | | Although these tips might seem over simplistic, they |
| the focus to be on the bait, so your line needs to be | | | | are nonetheless true. Using bait that's alive for bass is |
| as light as possible. The lighter your line, the less | | | | extremely effective and remembering and using |
| visible it will be top the bass, which means the bass is | | | | these simple tips will make you that much more |
| more likely to eat your offering. Not using fishing line | | | | successful. Remember, in fishing (just like in life) many |
| that's too heavy is very important when using live | | | | times the simplest things are the most effective. |
| bait for bass. Remember, the pound test of your line | | | | |