| How is it that in an age of technology and | | | | 5. Do you know the Water temperatures of the |
| electronics, something as 'primitive' as bass fishing is | | | | location? |
| luring in new avid anglers year after year. So much so | | | | 6. Do you know that seasonal patterns has a direct |
| that as soon as they hear something new and fancy | | | | relationship with whether it is bass fishing season or |
| that catches their interests, they will dive into it and | | | | not. |
| try to get as much out of it as possible. | | | | But that is not all! Bass tournaments are so |
| One common theme running through bass anglers | | | | competitive and exciting because the winners are not |
| (tournament or recreational) is "Where are the | | | | necessarily the good and consistent bass anglers who |
| what...? Where are the bass!" | | | | knows how to get into boat, hitting the water, and |
| Even for the experts. When they are fishing in a | | | | casting their baits. No, more often than not, it is |
| body of water that they have never fished before, | | | | those who know how to locate the bass more |
| after dropping the boat into the water, they will start | | | | quickly that has won half the battle already. |
| to wonder, where is the best place to fish? | | | | So how do you know what is the best location? |
| I will try to unravel the mysteries of finding areas | | | | Start by looking at a lake map. |
| best for bass fishing. Locating bass and understanding | | | | There are two general types of lake maps that most |
| the water would be the top questions among many | | | | anglers will use. They are referred to as the "Hot |
| bass anglers today. This is closely followed by the | | | | Spot" and "Topographical" maps. The difference |
| question, "Which is the best bait to catch a "big" | | | | between the two is that a "Topo" map shows more |
| bass?" | | | | detail, and the "Hot Spots" map shows what the |
| Actually, Bass Fishing can be simplified into 2 main | | | | name implies, more fishing spots (well, at least we all |
| areas. Once you know them, you will definitely be a | | | | hope they do). |
| better angler. The 2 must know things are: | | | | Here's a secret about how you can best use a lake |
| 1. How to locate bass? | | | | map. Sector it. That's right. Sector the map by first |
| 2. How to catch bass using all the different | | | | studying it for a moment (look for areas where the |
| techniques, presentations, and baits? | | | | fish would most likely to be). Next, use a highlighter |
| Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of a | | | | to divide the map into sections based on how much |
| challenge to most anglers as there are so many | | | | time we can pre-fish before a tournament or how |
| different factors. Here are some 'Do You Knows' for | | | | many days we have to just fish for fun. |
| you to consider: | | | | The other secret is to always check the actual |
| 1. Do you Know how to read a map? This is a | | | | situation versus what is stated on the maps. The size |
| fundamental skill that you should try to learn because | | | | of the sections will vary depending on contours, |
| with a map, it is easier for you to zoom in on the | | | | structure, and number of places to be checked out |
| location that is good for bass fishing. | | | | during the course of the day based on what the map |
| 2. Do you Know that the most practical place to look | | | | shows. Don't just cast your bait into the water and |
| for Active Bass is just after the cold fronts and | | | | work on it for five minutes and leave. Try an |
| during early spring and late fall? This means you must | | | | assortment of baits to see signs of fish in any given |
| take into consideration weather conditions as well. | | | | area. This will help you understand their working |
| 3. Do you Understand water depth? This is an | | | | pattern. |
| important element because the depth or the | | | | A good bass fisherman will know how to keep notes |
| hollowness of the water tells you if it is a good | | | | or markings on his maps. This will be his source of |
| location. | | | | best bass fishing locations for his enjoyment for |
| 4. Do you know what Water clarity of the location? | | | | years to come. |