Seasonal Tactics For Targeting Freshwater Bass

Success at bass fishing begins with knowing where they hide. That includes exploring lakes to map vegetation and structure as well as taking note of seasonal patterns.

As water temperatures warm, bass migrate toward baitfish-rich environments such as ditches, ditches with depth contour changes, tapering points, tapered banks and sloped banks. Also look out for deep-water structure such as humps, river channels and riprap to find them.

Spring

Spring fishing for bass provides incredible fishing opportunities. When the bass awaken from their winter sleep, they migrate shallow waters where they form beds and lay eggs prior to spawning. Understanding this process is critical in order to achieve maximum spring success.

Largemouth bass typically gather in relatively shallow waters ranging from 8- to 12-feet for pre-spawn. You can find these areas on points, humps and ridges leading to deeper waters or near tributary mouths, often providing restful spots where bass can rest before moving onto their spawning grounds. When fishing a new lake or river for this pre-spawn phenomenon, try working back from their spawning grounds until you find protected spots such as creek points with deeper waters behind them, piers with deeper waters behind, brush piles and rock structures as starting points or first-creek points with deeper water under them to locate these pre-spawn locations – working back from their spawning grounds can help locate these pre-spawn spots quicker!

Once bass move to their spawning grounds, targeting them becomes more challenging due to their increased activity and protective instincts. But don’t forget, these fish still need food in order to fuel their spawning efforts – so pay attention to conditions while using multiple tactics – such as suspending jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits – like suspending jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits for example.

Suspending jerkbaits mimic dying baitfish and are particularly effective near points, ridges and humps leading into deeper waters or the spawning grounds. Retrieve them slowly with subtle jerks and pauses for maximum success when transitioning out from winter hiding spots.

As the spawn continues, bass tend to transition away from shallow waters into mid-depth water where they can more readily feed on crustaceans. These bass can be targeted using deep diving crankbaits and wacky worm rigs fished on light tackle. Be wary of wind conditions – any gust may make catching bass much simpler!

Summer

As summer draws nearer, bass become less active but still want to eat. To catch them effectively during these conditions, use bait that requires minimal movement from the fish before striking it, especially as temperatures soar beyond 80o F. To increase chances of success use lures that remain within striking range for extended periods.

As temperatures heat up, bass move from shallow spawning areas back onto the main lake, gravitating toward channel-oriented structure like humps, points, dropoffs and ledges in search of cooler waters – seek areas with overhanging cover, shaded bottoms or any current currents to locate them.

Bass fish typically burrow themselves when temperatures spike during summer days, yet will bite intermittently when conditions are right – leading to some of the best bites of the year if targeting shaded areas under overhanging cover with clear water.

Search shady areas near rocky ledges and drop-offs for shaded spaces near which bass like to rest during the heat of the day, and fish them using deep diving crankbaits or Carolina-rigged worms to reach into their feeding zones.

Once the water cools off in the evening, bass are more likely to move to shallower waters in search of food sources – topwater lures can be very effective at drawing bass up onto the surface in search of sustenance – particularly when targeting schools of shad.

If the bass have been hiding in mid-to-upper depths all day long, a drop shot rig can help suspend your bait at the thermocline and remain within striking range for extended periods. A football jig can also work well for this application – great for covering deeper humps or points within your lake!

Fall

As fall progresses, bass begin moving away from their deep, stable water sources in search of food sources such as shad, bluegills and shiners – summer-born bait fish like these are reaching bite-size proportions and bass quickly follow close behind!

At this time of year, bass fishing tactics typically involve targeting vegetation that’s still alive such as hydrilla, lily pads and other thick vegetation such as hydrilla. When autumn approaches and this vegetation begins to die off and thin out, two things happen simultaneously: forage hiding places decrease and remaining dense vegetation becomes much more visible to bass; once found by bass they will attack it aggressively when exposed to sunnier temperatures or when sunnier days provide warm waters.

As the air cools, bass will move deeper in coves and feeder channels on the main lake in response to shifting shad populations that move deeper towards winter, drawing them along. Working ditches or depth contours on sloping banks at this time may be useful; additionally, current-driven areas will help mix oxygen into the water more regularly for enhanced bass fishing success.

Once bass have emerged from their spawning beds, they remain active during both day and night hours searching for food sources that stick up vertically from the bottom like dock pilings, submerged bushes or the trunk of fallen trees. When fishing this period with reaction-type lures like crankbaits or wacky worm rigs rigged on light tackle and featuring short, wide wobbling actions can often work best.

As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, bass fisherman will turn their attention toward targeting shad that have amassed in deeper sections of a reservoir to prepare for winter. A deeper-diving crankbait that dives to around 20 feet may be most successful; small 1/8- and 1/4-ounce spinners, spoons or jig/grub combos can also prove fruitful.

Winter

Bass can be caught year-round, with the best results occurring during their peak seasons – which in many regions means spring and fall for smallmouth and largemouth bass respectively. After peak season is over, many anglers switch over to other species such as trout, sturgeon or pike; but for those committed to bass fishing a few key seasonal tactics will increase your odds of success.

Cold waters drive largemouth bass towards hard structures like rock piles, bridges and wood which offer cover. Focus your fishing efforts here using Lowrance’s Side Scan feature for expanded view to find these spots and fish them effectively.

Suspending fish is the norm during winter and this makes for an ideal time to experiment with lures that can be worked at different depths. Small swimbaits, drop-shots and umbrella rigs can all be effective at coaxing lethargic bass into striking; small jigs with subtle trailers may even trigger strikes from startled bass; for best results move slowly so the baitfish action can be clearly evident and ensure no sense of threat to the bass.

When finding suspended bass in one area, look for nearby structure such as humps and points which break the surface. Bass fish often congregate around these breaks while still offering them protection from predatory fish.

Late spring and early summer see bass that did not spawn during the previous fall migrate back into shallower waters to begin preparing for another spawning cycle. Under warm, clear conditions of spring and summer, these bass may congregate around channel-oriented structures like humps, points, ledges and dropped off shorelines in shallower and warmer parts of a lake; depressions, ditches and natural features leading into coves that lead to these spawning coves, along with riprap beds in deeper sections. Crawfish-colored crankbaits or spinnerbaits as well as green Pumpkin or Watermelons can all be effective tools in targeting these bass species.