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25 Answers to 25 Bass Fishing Questions

No one answer to these questions describes the situation of bass fishing very well. Compare several answers that deal with depth, cover and the other variables to get a better over all understanding.

Question 1. Are the bass just not biting?

Question 2. Are there any bass here today?

Questions 1 and 2 are really the same. Are there any fish where I am fishing or are the fish here but not biting now?

Answer: This is the heart of bass fishing. If you are not catching fish, either one could be the cause. First state the time of year, weather, cover and depth you are fishing. If these indicate fish should be there, then maybe they are there. Since bass do not follow my rules, they also may not be. You have three options. First you can change the type of bait. Go to something different, not a small change. Second try another spot with similar conditions. If there is no luck there, likely the fish are not there either. Third, go to another spot with different depth, cover, water color, or temperature.

Question 3. Would a reaction bait or a food imitator work better now?

Answer: Let the fish answer this question. Try a slow moving worm or lizard then try a fast mover like a jerk bait, spinner bait or crank bait. Only the fish know what they want. Try both.

Question 4. How deep can I see a white spinner bait?

Answer: Obviously this deals with water clarity. If the visibility is around one foot or less the bass should be shallow and tight to cover. If the water is clear, two feet or more visibility, they should be deeper, specially if the sun is shining.

Question 5. Is the water level falling, rising or stable?

Answer: Falling water moves fish deep and makes them less active. Rising water moves bass shallow and more active. If the water level is stable, look to other factors to decide where to fish.

Question 6. What cover is available at what depth?

Answer: The fish will likely be where the cover is unless the cover is too shallow or to deep for that day's conditions. Check the other answers to decide on depth and try to find cover at that depth.

Question 7. What structure is available at what depth?

Answer: Again check the other factors that influence depth to see what depth structure to fish. Structure is even better if it has cover on it.

Question 8. Are there signs of life such as fish eating birds, baitfish or active fish here?

Answer: If the answer is no, find another spot.

Question 9. Would it be better to change baits or change areas?

Answer: See answers for 1 and 2.

Question 10. Is the sun shining?

Answer: If the sun is shining and the water is clear, look for shade such as trees or boat docks. You can also go deeper. If the sun is not shining the fish should be shallower and more free roaming.

Question 11. What weather conditions are influencing the fish?

Answer: If a cold front just passed and the sky is bright blue, fish deeper or very tight to a shady place like a boat dock or tree. If the sun is shining but not close to a cold front, fish the same place and expect a good day. If it is spring and the water temperature is falling, fish deeper and expect a slow day. If it is spring and the water temperature is rising, fish more shallow and expect a good day.

Question 12. What time of year is it?

Answer: In spring and fall, fish shallow and the back part of coves, specially secondary points. Cold fronts can move fish deeper in spring and fall. In summer and winter, fish deeper.

Question 13. Is the wind blowing baitfish onto a good spot?

Answer: If the wind is blowing onto a good point, fish it.

Question 14. Is there current?

Answer: If there is, good. Fish any cover that bass can hide behind and ambush prey. Large mouth bass do not live in the current very much but they love to hide in a current break. There can be current from flowing water or from wind.

Question 15. What is the water temperature?

Answer: Bass like water that is around 60 to 75 degrees. The water temperature often varies from cove to cove and from coves to the main lake. Find water as close to the 60 to 75 degrees as possible. If colder or if warmer, bass often move deeper.

Question 16. What is the depth I am fishing?

Answer: See all the factors that effect depth and try that, specially if there is cover.

Question 17. Should I return to this spot later today?

Answer: If all factors indicate that fish should be there, come back later. If you find fish in other similar spots, definitely try this spot again later. Bass often turn on or off for their own reasons. Baitfish may come to this spot later and turn on the bass.

Question 18. Are there other areas where I can duplicate a pattern that is working well?

Answer: If it works in one spot, it should work in a similar spot. Try it when the action at the good spot cools.

Question 19. What other baits or techniques could work in the cover/depth/structure/water temperature or weather?

Answer: Always be thinking and remember all the factors. If something is not working, change to another, more likely condition.

Question 20. What other baits, types of cover, depth or structure are available on this water today?

Answer: If you are not catching fish, change something. Think. Where could be better? Try flipping boat docks or trees. Try rocky points. Change to a fast moving reaction bait. Change something.

Question 21. Are the fish likely to be shallow or deep?

Answer: Compare the factors listed here in other answers to the conditions on your water. Pick the most likely answer and try it. Remember bass live by only their rules, not ours. Try different types of cover at the most likely depth.

Question 22. Are the fish likely to be tight to cover or more free roaming?

Answer: Factors that make bass hold tight to cover are cold fronts, muddy or stained water or bright sun. Fish are more free roaming if there is low light or they are holding deeper.

Question 23. What speed of retrieve would work best today?

Answer: Only the fish know. Try a fast retrieve for a reaction strike. Try a slow retrieve with a worm or lizard. Let the fish say what they like best. If one does not work, try the other.

Question 24. How many others have fished this spot today and with what bait?

Answer: If the fish have seen a lot of spinnerbaits, try something else. Be different.

Question 25. If the fish are not biting, would a reaction bait get bass to strike out of instinct?

Answer: This often works. Try a jerk bait. The real purpose of this is to remind ourselves to think. If one thing is not working, what else could work? Many factors not understood by all humans cause bass to act their own way. You have to keep thinking and trying until the fish say YES.

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