You have decided that the time is right for you to target Bass. I really do not blame you, Bass fishing is fantastic, explosive, heart stopping and great fun, once you learn the basics.

Bass are renowned for their silver sides seen glinting just under the water while they fight to get into snags, clearing the hook from their mouths. The power is immense as the turn and dive towards the sea bed. I remember to this day my first Bass in great detail, but mainly hearing line sing off the reel.

What Bass Fishing Tackle Do I Need?

The tackle you need only has to be basic. An old carp rod, spinning rod or beachcaster will do. A reel that winds in line, at least 200 yds of 10lb line will suffice for the job of catching Bass. Good new line and sharp hooks combined with knowledge are what catch Bass, not the latest gear.

Good new line and sharp hooks combined with knowledge are what catch Bass

Of course upgrade when you can if you want the latest fishing tackle but don’t let it get in the way of Bass fishing. My largest shore caught Bass was on an old reel, a real old reel, but it just about held out and I landed a 9lb 6oz monster.

Other tackle depends upon the rod you are going to use. If you have a spinning rod or Carp rod then you can use spinners, plugs, hard plastics, jellies, floats and light ledgering tackle. If you are using a traditional beach caster then you are really only looking at heavier ledgering.

I would recommend, if you have not got a rod yet either a light carp rod or heavy spinning rod. Something of this nature will allow you to try lots of different facets within Bass fishing, and will be very sporting when you hook into your Bass.

Quality monofilament rated at 15 to 18lbs will do to start with. I prefer to fish with 10 to 15lb braid, but this is much less forgiving that mono and something to try once you have a few Bass under your belt.

Where To Go Bass Fishing

You need to be where the Bass are feeding. Think about the conditions that will get Bass hunting. Storms that pull food into the water column. Crabs peeling and replacing their shells becoming soft and vulnerable to the big mouth of Bass. Sand eel like the summer months. Young Pollock are more regularly seen around the rocks as the sea temperature rises.

Bass tend to like shallow broken ground, so this would be a good starting point for the newcomer to Bass angling. Pick a strong tide and fish early morning or late evening. A note to remember is Bass take lures in both night and day. Think about everything, look at the whole picture.

A note to remember is Bass take lures in both night and day

You local tackle shop or angling friend should point you in the right direction to wet your first line or target your first bass. They won’t tell you prime ground, but that will come with practice. When you catch a Bass, you will catch another at the same place in similar conditions another day!

When you catch a Bass, you will catch another at the same place in similar conditions another day!

10 Great Bass Fishing Tips

• Use the lightest tackle the conditions and location will allow.
• Use simple rigs.
• Fish in the areas that may hold Bass. Look for gullies, tidal currents, backwash, changes in the sea bed.
• Fish the water. Don’t just cast to the same spot, work the water, cast at a distance and work back, really hunt them out.
• You can Plug, float fish, bottom fish and fly fish for Bass.
• Fish the same mark in different conditions. Note the conditions and your success or lack of. Use this Bass Diary to refer to and create a picture of when the fish are there.
• Bass are a predator and they generally are where the food is. Look at the beach for food sources, fresh water, outlets and anything that my cause prey to group.
• At night try and fish in the dark. If you need light use a red filter on the end of the tourch.
• Make sure any rigs, lures and plugs are tied with good, strong knots. Ensure that you main line is not damaged in anyway. It’s a sad sight to loose a good Bass because of line breakages.
• Above all else think out side the box, hunt the fish and try ideas, they might just work!!

To see my other articles on Bass fishing look at this Bass Fishing resource page