how to fish for bass in a lake

How to Fish For Bass in a Lake

After fishing for long in the streams and rivers you want to up your game and test the experience of fishing in the lake.

Maybe the lakes have been your ground of fishing but you are not sure if you have been doing it right.  You can always pick up some tips to see if any improvements can be made.  I always seem to get good advice from other anglers.

This article will help understand everything that you should know about fishing for bass in the lake.

Why Fish for Bass on Lakes?

Many reasons will make you want to fish in the lake. The many types of bass and the large fishing ground are some of the many things that should make you yearn to fish for bass on lakes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to realize that indeed the lakes are the best place to practice bass fishing.

The lakes will allow you to try out different techniques. Note the lakes have different water sections. We have the deep seas, the shallow places, the shores.

Different Techniques For Each Place

In the lakes, you get a chance to test different lures. This is because of many preys that the bass feeds on. You will need to have different lures when targeting the various bass species. In the process, you will understand to match the hatch better.

When you fish in the lakes your angling experience is shaped all rounds. Conquering those strong waves, struggling to spool that large bass you have caught. This and many more will shape your fishing career.

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Many anglers will agree with me that critical thinking is an important aspect of every angler. This can only be impacted by applying tactical tricks that are easier done in the lakes.

In the lakes, there is the availability of fish throughout the year in all seasons. You will have plenty of fishing grounds.

The lakes give you an edge to fish any time of the day. Your fishing basket will never be empty.

What Equipment Is Best For Fishing Bass On A Lake?

To accelerate your fishing success in the lake some equipment is needed. The starts from the basic fishing gears that will help you maximize the output you get.

Let me go straight to these items that you need to have in your angling adventure.

Fishing Rod

Your success fishing in the lakes depends on the type of rod you carry. A fishing rod will determine the level of accuracy of the casts that you make.

That is why having a fishing rod is a must for every angler. First, the rod should work well with the lures you have. Secondly, the rod should be sensitive to alert you of a fish biting the bait.

Lastly, it should help you retrieve the bass comfortably.

Fishing Reel

A fishing reel is a very important piece of equipment for every bass angler. The fishing reel helps to finesse the hook and get hold of any size of fish.

When choosing a reel for the lake, you want to choose the sturdy one. Ensure it will work for the shallow and deep waters.

The best ones are made of Aluminum and graphite. In addition to them being sturdy, they are also lighter. This is convenient for large surfaces like a lake.

Then look for ones that are smooth to ensure you can use them for longer hours.

Fishing Line

A line is a very important tool when fishing in the lakes. This is why you need to choose wisely the one which works well for all your needs. The most recommended lines that you can use are the braided and fluorocarbon line.

These two lines are made with durable materials that can withstand the lake’s conditions. These lines do not stretch easily. This will ensure they are sensitive to alert you of any bass trying to bite the bait.

Live Baits

Live baits are good for the love of fishing effectively. The live baits are by far the most recommended baits for your fishing. The most common live bait is the nightcrawler.

Almost every bass in the lake will be attracted by it. But for the bait to yield more results, you must hook it well. After obtaining live baits hooking will not be a problem.

Best Bait to Use to Catch Bass in a Lake

Choosing the baits that you will use is the first stage. It is good to consider factors like size color, shape, and other factors. Baits should also match the hatch to lure more fish to bite.

Currently, many types of bait come with different features. It might be a lengthy process to determine the baits to use.

The type of fish you want can also affect the choice of bait. You need to consider matching the bait to the type of fish you want. 

To narrow down the process of searching for baits, here are baits that works well in lakes.

Swimbaits

The swimbaits are a perfect choice for the ability to mimic baitfish. The baitfish which moves in large schools is one of the great bass preys. These make the swimbaits to be a perfect choice to start casting within the lake.

When you see a group of baitfish like shad, this is a perfect time to lower your bait. Swimbaits are also good for searching for bass.

bass fishing in a lake

Crankbaits

Are you looking towards fishing for bass in the deep parts of the lake? The Crankbait will be a good option.  With this bait, you can reach an accurate distance.

The likes of largemouth bass that like the deep sea will be cornered here. When lowering the bait you can flip the fishing rod to initiate noise.

Topwater Frogs

When doing shallow water fishing there is no way the topwater frog bait will miss on the list. Every angler knows that the bait is built with a design that corners many basses.

The bait is available in green, black, and yellow colors. Try to check the type of food the fish feed on in that section of water. Then choose a matching color frog.

This lure mimics the frogs. Where you hear frogs croaking in the lake, this is the place you will need to cast the lure. You can also use this bait in swampy areas. These are the places with more vegetation.

Shredded Worms

In any case, the bass notices an injured worm. They will respond promptly by making a quick ambush attack. This shows the importance of using shredded (injured) worms as bait.

This attracts the bass to take a bite. But ensure the bait is well-hooked to avoid the bite being snatched.

Spinnerbaits

The spinnerbaits are convenient for making the aggressive bass bite. When sizing the bait to a larger profile it is efficient. The lure is a perfect deal for bouncing over covers like sunken timber and firmly fixed vegetation.

The Spinnerbait also works well in upright covers like the reeds and tall grass. Be cautious the spinnerbait will tend to pick up weeds.

5 Tips for Lake Bass Fishing

1. Find cover find the bass

The best and most relevant tip is to put your lure where the bass is. To do this you will need to find cover in the lake you are fishing.

These covers can come in different forms including lily pads, grass, wood, boat docks, and rocks. Bass like to hang around such covers. In such places, they can attack and ambush their prey.

The earlier you know this covers the better. You will have an edge over other anglers.

2. Match the Hatch

Matching the hatch has remained to be the best technique to achieve greater results. It involves matching the lures to the food consumed by the bass.

This is from the color, size, and shape. To do this you will first need to research the food the bass likes to feed on in that part of the lake. Then obtain similar lures.

Then when presenting the lure, do it naturally. Such that the fish will not doubt to take a bite.

3. Watch the water temperatures

Water temperatures are likely to change at different times of the day and in different seasons. The temperature greatly affects the bass feeding habits. In the warm waters, the bass fish are more aggressive and will attack baits easily.

Casting at a high speed will work. When in cool waters the bass responds slowly to the bait. You will need to reduce the speed.

You can practice more tips too but always check the temperature.

4. Let the Wind Master You

If you want to put more fish on the boat you will have to struggle working it out in the winds. As long as the wind cannot overpower your boat, then quitting should not be an option.

Throw your baits into the wind. This will trick the fish because they love to move in the direction of the wind.  At this time the bass will not notice the boat movement.

This will be good to ensure they are in no doubt to bite the bait.

5. Fish Along the Shores At Dusk & Dawn

During the morning hour and the evening hours, most bass will be roaming around the shallow waters on the shores. You should be fishing on the shores at this time. 

Look out for covers that are along the shores and use lures like the topwater frogs. Be persistent and avoid noise that can scare away them from the deep waters.

Final Thoughts

Fishing in the lake is a whole new experience. The lake can be a great place to improve your skills. In the lake, you see many more bass. The lakes give to have the presence of shallow, deep, and vegetative areas.

This calls for different lures and techniques. When you put yourself up for the task it is evident you will have great wins. Regarding How to Fish for Bass in a Lake it is simple with the above guidelines.

Now go out there and enjoy every moment of fishing in the lakes.

Related Questions

How do you catch bass in a lake from shore?

Catching bass from the shores is simple. You will need to time the morning hours and the evening hours when the bass are seen in the shallow waters. Then ensure the lure you are using is the topwater frog lure.

How do you catch bass when not biting?

In case you are presenting a bait to the bass but it’s not biting, you will need to reorganize your plan. The perfect way to do this is to match the hatch more carefully. Then choose lures that will match this and cast them one by one slowly but accurately.

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