There’s a reason why bass fishing in the Mississippi River is so popular. There are tons of bass fish available to be caught for one thing, but you’ll also have a great time catching them. It’s just a wonderful place to go for the best bass fishing. If you’ve never fished the Mississippi, you should make sure to get out there soon. There are things to take into consideration when you plan a Mississippi River bass fishing trip, though, so be sure to read on to learn more about it.

One very important thing to be aware of is the huge number of bugs around the Mississippi River, particularly mosquitoes. It is crucial that you make sure you’re well prepared for this before you go. Bug repelling spray is an absolute must, and plenty of it, to help you avoid the discomfort and annoyance of being stung. It’s not just annoying, though, but it can actually be a health hazard as well because of the diseases that these bugs carry. You must take precautions to prepare yourself as effectively as possible.

Stocking up with plenty of food and drinks is also quite important. A Mississippi River bass fishing trip will usually be for a full day out on the water, and some people go out for several days at a time. It is obvious that the longer you are gone, the more food and drink will be necessary to sustain you. Weather conditions are often quite warm, and so even if you won’t be gone long enough to need food, make sure that you have good drinking water available on the boat (and at least a snack is not a bad idea either).

It’s also important to do some research on the particular part of Mississippi that you are planning to visit, including a map that you have printed or even drawn for yourself. This will help you know your way around better, and help prevent you from getting lost on your Mississippi River bass fishing trip. This is particularly important if you’ve never been there before, but still important even if it’s not your first time. Your memory might not be completely reliable, or things could change from one visit to another, and so arming yourself with a decent map might be the best thing of all that you do to prepare for this trip.

You can also find more info on Bass Fishing Resorts and Early Spring Bass Fishing. Knowbassfishing.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bass Fishing.

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A friend of mine likes to fish strip mines covered in heavy moss and normally does pretty well with them. His normal choice is a plastic worm for bass but there are times they just are not interested in the worms and he asked what other choices he had.

If you have ever fished a pond or strip mine covered in moss you know how hard it is to find open water to work your lures. But you also know that these waters can be very productive. I can understand why he likes these places. They are generally isolated, in most cases you may be the only one there, and they are productive.

With moss covered mines or ponds you have to look for open water or breaks in the moss. You normally do not have a lot of room to work your lures and very rarely can you work them deep especially if you’re fishing from the bank.

If the water is almost entirely covered by moss I will try shiners in whatever open water I can find. It is kind of like dropping the bait into a hole. I will begin fishing about three feet deep and gradually increase the depth until I get a hit or my bait is on top of the moss. I have had some very productive days using this approach.

If you can find some breaks where the moss is just below the surface try using buzz baits. They do not snag as much as some of the other top water lures. Buzz baits can be very effective and most times you can actually see a V shape coming after it. If you do don’t get to excited and set the hook before he takes it. Unfortunately I have done this a couple of times.

There are other top water lures that may do well including poppers, spitters, prop baits, hard stickbaits, soft stickbaits, etc. My choices for fishing Moss covered strip mines or ponds are plastic worms, buzz baits and shiners.

Doug Burns has been an avid angler for more than 35 years. His advice has helped many anglers achieve their goals. For more Bass fishing information visit Bass Angling

If you want to hook Catfish visit Catfish Angling

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I tell you what, pond bass fishing can be some of the greatest fishing in the world. Although it doesn’t quite have the same appeal as going after fish in a big lake on tournament Friday, with a quality bass pond you can catch some amazing fish. I am reminiscent to an old bass tank I used to fish as a kid. What a rush! All we used to use for bait was a tiny spinner bait with one spoon and a one to two inch purple worm. With that, we would catch bass anywhere from two to five pounds or more. It truly was exciting!

So about this great pond. It is found in the south where warmer temperatures prevail, and the growing season for bass is much longer, therefore bass grow to be much larger. The pond only had sunfish and bass in it, and the cover present for bass was good, but not over kill. So the sunfish were kept at bay, and not allowed to continuously clean out the bass spawning areas.

Also, the depth of this pond was good. It had many shallow areas with weeds that allowed good bass spawning, and it had a deeper area in the middle that allowed bass to retreat to cooler water during the hot summer months, and warmer water during the cool winter months. There was plenty of submerged branches, weeds, etc to give the bass plenty of cover, and areas for them to ambush small bait fish. But again, it wasn’t too much cover, that would allow the sunfish to clean out and keep the bass population from growing. The evidence that pond bass fishing rocks is building…

Further, this was a privately owned, and not well fished pond. So the bass continued to grow each year, and there were many bass that were 3, 4, 5, 6 or more years old. So I had some of these fish to myself, and was able to pull out some great fish.

This pond was just the primo location for bass. There weren’t really any other fish in the pond, so the bass were the main predators, and were able to grow very well. Once you get a large bass on your hook and reel him in, you are pretty much hooked for life! So again, if you think that ponds can’t produce big bass, you are just flat out wrong. There have been state records in multiple states across the country that have been caught in ponds.

Jeffry Evans, owner of http://www.hiddenfishingtips.com and a love for fishing, is committing to bringing you the best in fishing tactics and tricks to get you more fish.

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What is going on in a bass fishing tournament that makes people so happy about participating in these events so enthusiastically? There really are a plethora of reasons for why they are fun, and for those who have never been in one, no words can really describe the excitement in a closely run tournament. A tournament is actually a competition with cash, prizes and a lot of excitement. More than the money, it is the fierce competition that gives an unparalleled shot of adrenalin.

Bass fishing tournament – a million dollar industry

The fishing tournaments all over the world belong to a multi-billion industry; the bass fishing tournament being one of the popular fishing events the world over constitutes as a major percentage of that industry. For the organizers this event is a money spinner; for the participants it is paradise on earth, where one can enjoy their favorite pass time and get paid for it as well. Of course, there are competitions of who can fish more, or the biggest or largest and so on, but at the end of the day most of the fun is from the game itself and not the competition.

Being a winner in the bass fishing tournament

In order to be amongst the winners in the tournament (where you have both the money and the fun) you will need to be fast in orienting yourself in the location of the tournament. The faster you will familiarize yourself with the fishing spot the better would be your chances to catch the best fish. Remember the bass always needs three main things to survive: (i) cover, (ii) oxygen and (iii) food not necessarily in this order. You will have to find out the approximate location of the fish in the pre-fishing period of the tournament fast enough and then make your game plan. In case it is possible, fly over the area. It is extremely easy to spot the right location on the water from air.

The game plan in a bass fishing tournament

All tournament participants have to put together a game plan. Be careful to keep the second spots close to the primary spot so you will not loose too much time cavorting around for a better spot. Stick to the game plan as this is what differentiates the amateurs from the professional fishermen. If you need a few good tips in the best location for fish ask the locals or observe them closely. They will lead you to exceptionally good places that you never knew existed. In case the locals are mum, then try to eat in the local spots and chances are that you will sooner than later overhear someone speaking about “that great spot”.

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About the Author:
Fame Ahmed is a well known author worldwide. He has written numerous works on various topics. He is an expert in research and writing reviews and articles based on his findings.
Excessive Sweating

It really feels great to talk about things that could stimulate your imagination and excitement. After the hectic stress of doing your activities for the whole week, you can no longer wait for the weekend to come. You start packing up your things and simply waiting for the wee hours in the morning and get ready for your trip to Ocala Florida.

While on the trip, everybody in the vehicle is sharing the enthusiasm in their journey to a land of big bass and warm weather.

There’s no place like Ocala Florida. If you want to make your fishing vacation more pleasant by remembering that it is a fishing vacation, make it a point that you are prepared to enjoy the whole experience, which includes kicking back and enjoying your friends, your surroundings, and your brief respite from the daily cares of your life. But some of the people who spend their vacation do it not simply to relax themselves from their stressful days but they go for bass fishing for a purpose. There enters the tournament, the competition of big bass fish fever caught by many anglers.

Before entering any Bass fishing tournament in Ocala, Florida try to remind some of these things:

The first step is to be sure that you have established your actual fishing goals and then ensure that they are in fact realistic, based on the amount of time you plan to spend seeking those goals.

The majority of bass fishermen will tell you that they are going to Florida seeking that elusive goal of catching a bass over ten pounds. If this is your goal have you considered how much time you will be able to spend in this endeavor? Fishing for a bass that size is what you have been doing since you started bass fishing; will eight hours on the water really give you that chance you are looking for?

Your decisions to hit the waters of Florida are a step in the right direction, but remember, fishing is fishing: can you realistically expect to get it done in an eight hour day? Sounds easy but the truth is, it’s not.

The Florida Game and Fish commission makes a list each year of what they consider to be among the top ten bass lakes which will give you a starting point. This list is based on both shock surveys and creel counts that are reported by fishermen during creel surveys. You now need to narrow the list down to your selection and the only way to do this realistically is to get several references based on other people’s experiences. This is where they usually hold the tournaments. Ocala, Florida rarely leaves that list.

Most noted lakes and reservoirs in or near Ocala Florida are:

LAKE GEORGE

Lake George is one of the premier largemouth bass fishing lakes in Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.

Lake George is one of the many natural lakes on the St. John’s River. It has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eelgrass with plastic worms fished on the surface, and other top water artificial lures, is productive. Fishing with live shiners is an excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season.

Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the western shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Casting deep-diving crank baits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island can also be productive.

STICK MARSH/FARM 13 RESERVOIR

Created in 1987, the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir is synonymous with trophy bass fishing. This 6,500-acre reservoir near Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach, became one of the hottest bass lakes in the country during the past decade. FWC biologists predict a continuation of excellent largemouth bass fishing in upcoming years. Electrofishing samples continue to indicate good reproduction and growth of bass in the reservoir.

Anglers can locate bass throughout the reservoir among a variety of habitats including woody stump fields, submerged canals and hydrilla. Summer 2004 hurricanes drastically reduced levels of hydrilla throughout the reservoir, however, which can affect where the bass are located. Anglers should keep this in mind when trying to pattern fish. Plastic worms, spinner baits, crank baits, soft jerk baits, and top water propeller baits are effective. Wild golden shiners are the top choice for anglers looking to catch a trophy fish.

The recreational harvest regulation for largemouth bass anglers is catch-and-release. There is a two-lane boat ramp, paved parking lot, picnic pavilions and rest rooms. No gasoline, food, ice or other facilities are available on site. This area is part of the St. Johns Blue Cypress Management Unit, see here for a recreational map of that unit.

These are some of the lakes where tournaments have been held and could be the place where future tournaments can be done. Try to practice and study the area so that when tournament time comes, you have an edge over the competition.

Visit the About Animals website to learn about crowntail betta and betta diseases.

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“Where are the what…? Where are the bass!” How many of the anglers (tournament and recreational) go to a body of water you’ve never fished before, drop the boat in the water, then, ask this question to yourself? This is probably one of the biggest topics in bass fishing that an angler should learn more about.

Here you will be getting information on how to locate areas best for bass fishing.
Locating bass and understanding the water would be the number one question among bass anglers today. The next most asked question would be is which baits they should use to catch a “big” bass.

Now when you think about it, there are really only two (2) main topics that go hand-in-hand when it comes to bass fishing. If you understood more about these two, you would definitely become a much better angler, and they are:

1. Knowing how to locate bass.

2. Knowing how to catch bass using all the different techniques, presentations, and baits.

Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of a challenge to most anglers because there are so many different factors that need to be determined such as:

1. Knowing how to read a map – this is the fundamental skill that you should try to learn because through a map it is easier for you to take on the appropriate location good for bass fishing.

2. Knowing the most practical places to look for Active Bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods – weather condition must be especially considered as well.

3. Understanding water depth- this is an important element because the depth or the hollowness of the water will serve as a factor for you to know if it is a good location.

4. Water clarity- it could be easier for you to now have your bass fishing if you are well-oriented about the water clarity of your location.

5. Water temperatures

6. Seasonal patterns- this is in relation with the trend whether bass fishing is seasonal or not.

7. Locating structure areas

8. Finding vegetation areas

Let’s start by looking at a lake map. There are two general types of lake maps that most anglers will use which are referred to as the; “Hot Spot” and “Topographical” maps. The differences between the two is that a “Topo” map shows more detail, and the “Hot Spots” map shows more fishing spots (well, at least they’re supposed to).

The secret (or key) in learning how to use a lake map would be to sector the map. What I mean by this is that I will take the map and study it for a moment (looking for areas where the fish would most likely be.) Next, I will (using a highlighter) divide the map in sections based on how much time I have to pre-fish for a tournament or how many days I have to just fish the body of water for fun.

The size of the sections will vary depending on contours, structure, and how many places I may want to check out during the course of the day based on what the map shows me. I am certainly not one to just cast bait into the water and work it for five minutes and leave; I will try an assortment of baits if I see signs of fish in any given area to try to establish a working pattern.

Here are some key elements that you can usually look for when it comes to locating bass on any given body of water:

1. Vegetation areas

2. Irregular contours

3. Shallow water close to deep water areas

4. Points and point drops

5. Various types of structure

Today, there are more and more people trying to learn and find out what the buzz is all about. Bass fishing is more than just catching a fish. Its now about getting those prized big bass and having the opportunity to show it off. For beginners there are lots more to bass fishing that meets the eye.

First, try to know the lures that you must have to enjoy bass fishing.

And do you know what the top 3 lures for catching Bass are? Although there was no particular gauge that was presented by the researchers, a survey was performed among the pro bass fishermen and it was found that plastic worms was the most patronized and ranking on the second and third place were the spinner bait and then the crank bait.

However, picking one of these 3 is not enough. Some factors are still needed to be considered. Primarily, you must consider if it is better to cover a smaller segment of water thoroughly or skim across a larger area as quickly as possible to find fish. Using a worm is slower, but absolutely effective and is very seductive to Bass. They do best when the fish are schooled over a particular structure.

The problem that usually arise with fishing with a worm is the inability to sense strikes. Usually the inability to sense them is due to a sinker that is too heavy and a line that is too thick.

To help you to overcome this predicament you are advised to use a variable buoyancy worm using lead strip sinkers. Here are some of its advantages:

• No moving lead on the line to dampen the feel of a gentle pickup

• You can apply the precise amount of lead to deliver the worm action needed

• It makes it easier for a bass to inhale the worm

• It aids in hook setting

• It’s easier to shake loose from snags

• You can cause the worm to hang virtually suspended over the bottom when fishing shallow water.

To tell how much lead strip is needed, wrap one strip around the hook and bury the barb in the worm. Ease it into the water and watch it sink, it should barely settle toward the bottom. If it sinks to fast, take some off, etc. Make sure to use no heavier than 8-pound mono line – preferably 6 pound.

On the other hand, a Spinner bait can be moved more quickly across the surface and can be bounced on the bottom, sent against a tree limb and moved in many different ways in order to stimulate strikes. It is a great probing lure for the shoreline because of its tangle-free construction.

Lastly, Crank baits cover a lot of water in a hurry. Using them, you can check out a spot without wasting too much time. You can use them for locating fish that may be scattered.

The most important thing is, no matter what lure you select for the particular lake that you are fishing on, you need to make it as easy for the Bass to get at it as possible. Drop that lure right in front of them. Scientists have proven that Bass calculate the amount of energy it will take them to go after the prey.

Discover and learn to use one of those lures that you preferred to use for you to really find enjoyment in bass fishing!

Aside from considering the lures, it is also important to determine the accurate time in going for bass fishing.

Dawn and dusk are definitely when the biggest bass can be brought in. First, remember that bass love ambush spots offering lots of cover from the baitfish. They like to hid, and pounce on their prey.

These bait fish are most active in the early morning or evening. When they feed, bass follow because the baitfish is less aware of threats when they feed. Go out fishing during these times for the best success.

When retrieving an underwater lure in poor light, keep it coming at a steady pace once it is set in motion. This will make it easier for bass to locate and grab it.

The last thing is, don’t bother going out in the dawn/dusk when water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature wipes out certain aquatics and terrestrials, which nullifies the food chain feeding.

Lures and proper time of going on bass fishing are ample factors only that must be taken into account because other aspects such as water quality considerations and weather conditions are also necessary for you to win the game on bass fishing!

Bass fishing is okay from the shore, but if you want to feel and enjoy the challenge of catching real large bass, then you have to move to open waters. The shore limits this fun to a great extent. However unless you have the right type of boat, fishing for bass can be a daunting task even for the experienced angler.

The Bass Fishing Tracker Boat

The tracker is still the best boat available for fishing. Not only is it made of the best aluminum making it almost maintenance free, it also comes with all the features that one needs to be successful in fishing for bass – and for any other species of fish that is. The tracker is large enough to carry all that you need and more for your fishing trip and you can still have adequate space for taking a couple of friends along as well.

You want Value for Money; You will Own a Bass Fishing Tracker Boat

If anyone happens to talk about aluminum boats, the first name that comes to your mind should be the tracker boat. This majestic boat has yet to find its match in spite of the so- called advancement in technology and the hundreds of breakthroughs in boat making materials. The boats are extremely efficient and also exquisitely beautiful. Many times people confuse the tracker with glass boats because of their exceptional design.

The Best Model on the Market is the Bass Fishing Tracker Boat

There are many types of boats in the market today and each has their advantages and disadvantages. However, when it comes to the bass fishing tracker boat it is hard to find fault with it. Tracker boats today come in two popular models (modV and deepV) with sizes ranging from 16-18 ft. The latest of these boats have a special made .1005052 marine alloy hull, aluminum gunnels; can support a 115 Elpto and a stunning price of only $20,000.

Good Resale Value

These boats sell so well that very often the dealers will have them rigged and ready in the lot itself to save time. Since these boats have been accorded a national value price, resale of these boats is nothing of the mess it usually is when boats are sold. You can sell them anywhere you want, you will still get a good price for it, though I am yet to see a man who can willingly part from a tracker once he owns one.

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Fame Ahmed is a well known author worldwide. He has written numerous works on various topics. He is an expert in research and writing reviews and articles based on his findings.
Heartburn Review

In early spring, when bass are moving from their winter areas to staging areas and eventually to the shallow flats, few presentations consistently produce better than a crawfish imitating lure. The reason these lures are so effective is the bass’s fondness for the freshwater crawfish. Even though bass will eat crawfish through out the year, this predator/prey relationship is strongest in the early spring.

I believe that a bass’s early season preference for the crawfish is due to the important nutrients the crawfish provides the pre-spawn bass and during this cold-water period, the crawfish matches the low metabolic activity of the bass making it an ideal forage .

Early spring the crawfish are in the deeper water just of flats. Bass move up from their cold water homes and stage in the same area as the crawfish. As the cold shallow flats warm up both crawfish and bass become more active and move into the shallow water.

It’s my opinion that the jig out produces all other crawfish imitating lures during the pre-spawn period, at when it comes to taking trophy bass. Some anglers limit the role of the jig/pig to flippin & pitchin, but I have found that the lure is effective when cast out and slowly dragged over deep structure.

The water temperatures in early spring are lower and so the bass’s metabolism has slowed down. And for this reason, I want a bait to fall slowly staying in the strike zone as long as possible. That’s why I use the jig/pig. In early spring I find it very important to match the hatch and go with the lightest jig possible. I use a ¼ ounce jig. I use two color combinations – a black/blue jig with a metal flake trailer and a green/pumpkin with a green/pumpkin trailer.

The trailer gives the jig a natural appearance, The pinchers on the trailer move as the jig falls and dragged across the bottom. Also, a scented soft plastic trailer encourages the bass to hold onto the lure longer. The jig/pig combo is hard to beat during the pre-spawn period but when the fish want something a little smaller I go with the next best setup a Carolina rigged worm. This technique is very effective when they are staged on deeper structure and feeding on crawfish. I put on a rattler because it imitates the noise of the crawfish’s pinchers, which attract bass. Dragging the lure whether it be a jig/pig combo or a worm across the bottom kickin up a lot of silt imitates a crawfish emerging from its winter home. When a crawfish emerges from hibernation they’re covered with mud, when they try to kick the mud off it creates a disturbance, a cloud of dirt along the bottom that draws the attention of the bass.

Spinnerbaits are considered to be one of the better shad imitating lures of all time, however I find a large spinnerbait that is properly dressed and fished also imitates a fleeing crafish. The largest population of crawfish is found on weed beds and timber filled flats at the back of creeks. My go to spinnerbait is a 1 ounce black spinnerbait with a no. 7 or 8 Colorado blade with a black/blue trailer.

Like the slow rolled spinnerbait , a rattlin lipless crankbait worked over shallow flats is an effective way to catch big bass in early spring. I’ve been using a red lipless crankbait to catch big bass for years. I believe actively feeding bass are on the move flushing crawfish and other forage from the grass-beds and shallows, that’s why I think the red Rat-L-Trap crankbait is so effective in grassy areas because it draws a reaction bite and because it thinks it a crawfish fleeing the grassy area.

The key to drawing the reaction bite with this lure is retrieving it so it stays in contact with the grass throughout the retrieve. You want to keep in touch with the grass and when the bait catches or snags on the grass, you want to rip it free. The quick acceleration and pause mimics a craw fish fleeing danger.

The key to catching Big Bass in early spring is choosing a lure that accurately mimics the crawfish.

Article by P. Roberts http://bassfishingbyproberts.blogspot.com/

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