Breaking Down Grass Lines for More Bass

One productive technique for targeting bass from the late spring through the fall is fishing long grass lines since bass often seek shelter and use irregularities in the grass line as ambush points.

Following are several valuable tips and strategies to help you find the best spots when fishing long grass lines for bass.

Understanding the Habitat:

1. Before you venture out to fish along long grass lines, it's crucial to understand the bass's preferred habitat. Bass are notorious ambush predators that hide within the cover of submerged grasses, waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass by. Grass lines serve as natural fish highways, providing shelter, shade, and abundant forage. Familiarize yourself with the types of grass present in your fishing area, such as hydrilla, milfoil, or lily pads, since different grasses may require slightly different presentations.

Identifying Key Features:

2. It's important to identify key features along the long grass lines that attract bass to increase your catch rate from grass lines. Look for variations in the grass pattern, such as pockets, points, or bends in the line. These irregularities create natural ambush points where bass often congregate. Additionally, keep an eye out for any additional cover, such as fallen trees, stumps, or submerged rocks, as these provide additional hiding spots for bass.

Observe the Surroundings:

3. When fishing long grass lines, it's crucial to observe the surrounding environment. Pay attention to any signs of baitfish activity, such as jumping or splashing. Bass are often found near their preferred food sources, so if you notice baitfish around the grass lines, it's a good indication that bass are nearby. Also, look for any bird activity, as diving birds can point to the presence of baitfish and feeding bass in that area.

Experiment with Different Lures:

4. Given the dense cover of long grass lines, selecting the right lures is vital for enticing bass to strike. Consider using weedless lures, such as Texas-rigged soft plastics, spinnerbaits or buzzbaits, as they can be worked through the grass with minimal snagging. Topwater lures, like frogs or weedless poppers, can be particularly effective in drawing strikes when the grass is matted on the surface. Alternatively, you can try using jigs or paddletail swimbaits to mimic prey darting through the grass, triggering a bass's predatory instincts.

Work the Grass Line Methodically:

5. When fishing along long grass lines, it's essential to work the area methodically to cover as much productive water as possible. Start by casting your lure parallel to the grass line and retrieve it slowly, allowing the bait to imitate a natural movement. If you encounter any irregularities or structure, such as a pocket or a point, focus your efforts on those areas, as they are likely to hold more bass. Gradually move along the grass line, varying your presentation and exploring different depths until you locate active fish.

Take a few minutes asn watch as bass pro Gerald Swindle provides a little insight into his approach to identifying high percentage spots when fishing long grass lines…

 

Three Great Fluorocarbon Leader to Braided Line Knots

Fluorocarbon leaders are a great way to improve your chances of landing fish especially when fishing with finesse presentations. They are far less visible to fish than braided lines, highly visible to anglers not to mention being very abrasion-resistant.

It is always important to use the right knot when connecting a fluorocarbon leader to a braided line but like most things in the fishing world there are numerous variations available to anglers.

Here are some of the best knots for connecting leaders to your braided main line:

The Alberto Knot 

This knot is more difficult to tie than some like the Double Uni Knot, but it is also stronger. It is a good choice for anglers who need a knot that can handle big fish and my personal favorite not to mention Bassmaster Classic champ Jason Christie’s.

Take a few moments and watch the following video where Jason shows how he ties his version of the Alberto knot:

The Double Uni Knot

The double uni knot is one of the most popular knots for connecting fluorocarbon leaders to braided lines. It is easy to tie, and it is very strong. To tie a double uni knot, follow these steps:

1. Form a loop at the end of your fluorocarbon leader.

2. Pass the end of your braided line through the loop twice, in opposite directions.

3. Tighten the knot by pulling on both ends of the line.

4. Trim the tag ends of the line.

Video Link ==> Double Uni Knot

The FG Knot

The FG knot is a newer knot that is becoming increasingly popular for connecting fluorocarbon leaders to braided lines. It is very strong, and it is also very small and streamlined, which can help you cast farther. To tie an FG knot, follow these steps:

1. Pass the end of your fluorocarbon leader through the loop on your fishing hook.

2. Pass the end of your braided line through the loop on your fishing hook twice, in opposite directions.

3. Tighten the knot by pulling on both ends of the line.

4. Trim the tag ends of the line.

Video Link ==> FG Knot

The best knot for you will depend on your personal preferences and fishing style. Experiment with different knots to find one that you are comfortable with and that you can tie quickly and easily.

Fishing Heavy Cover with Squarebills

When it comes to bass fishing, one of the most challening situations is triggering strikes from elusive bass hiding in heavy cover. Luckily, there's a bait that can help you tackle this challenge head-on: the squarebill crankbait. 

These versatile lures are specifically designed to navigate vegetation, rocks, docks submerged timber, and other types of heavy cover, making them an indispensable tool for catching big bass in hazard-filled environments.

Squarebill crankbaits are distinguished by their short, square-shaped lip in front. This design allows them to bounce off obstacles and deflect away from snags, minimizing the chances of getting snagged in heavy cover. Additionally, the buoyancy of squarebill crankbaits enables them to float back up when they hit obstacles, making them excellent at triggering reaction strikes from bass lurking in the shadows.

Strike King bass pro Greg Hackney is definitely one of the better anglers when it comes to fishing heavy cover shallow water and he loves using squarebills to draw bass from their hiding spots in cover like flooded trees. 

Take a few moments and watch as he explains his approach in selecting the right set-up, squarebill and presentation technique when fishing squarebills around heavy cover:

Fishing Boot Tail Swimbaits for Post Spawn Bass

The post-spawn period is a great time to target bass with boot tail swimbaits. Bass are typically in a recovery mode after the rigors of spawning, and they are looking for easy meals. 

Boot tails are also a great option because they offer a realistic presentation that bass can't resist.

Here are a few tips on how to fish boot tail swimbaits for post spawn bass:

• Use a medium-heavy or heavy action rod and matching reel. This will give you the power you need to set the hook on big bass. In addition, use 10-15 pound fluorocarbon line which will help you to keep your bait in the strike zone. Also, use a 3/0 or 4/0 swimbait hook providing the hook strength you need to land big bass.

• Focus on transition areas. Bass will often move to transition areas during the post-spawn period. These are areas where different types of cover meet, such as points, drop-offs, and weedlines. Boot tail swimbaits can be fished effectively in these areas by working them along the edges of the cover.

• Use a slow, steady retrieve. Bass are typically lethargic during the post-spawn period, so they won't be chasing baits. A slow, steady retrieve will help you keep your bait in the strike zone longer.

• Vary your retrieve speed. Bass can be finicky at times, so it's important to vary your retrieve speed and cadence. Try working your bait at different speeds to see what the bass are biting on.

• Use a variety of colors. Bass can be attracted to a variety of colors, so it's a good idea to have a few different colors in your arsenal. Try using natural colors, such as shad and baitfish patterns in clear water, as well as brighter colors, such as chartreuse and reds when fishing off-colored water.

Elite bass pro Jason Christie has a unique approach to rigging and fishing boot tail swimbaits around grass in the late spring. Take a few minutes and watch as Jason details his system to fishing boot tail swimbait for post spawn bass…

With a little practice, you'll be catching big post spawn bass with boot tail swimbaits in no time.

Early Summer Bass Tips

Fishing for early summer bass can be both challenging and rewarding. As the bass transition from their spawning beds to their summer patterns, understanding their behavior and adjusting your fishing techniques is key to catching more early summer bass.

Following are several tips that will help you increase your success rate when targeting early summer bass.

Identify the Early Summer Transition Areas:

1. During the early summer period, many bass tend to move from their shallow spawning areas towards deeper water structure. Look for transition areas such as points, drop-offs, ledges, and underwater structures near the spawning grounds. These transition zones often act as staging areas where bass hold and feed before moving to their summer locations.

Use Faster Lure Presentations at the Right Time:

2. After the bass recuperate following their spawn, bass sometimes become more aggressive and willing to chase down prey. Opt for faster lure presentations like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or swimbaits that mimic baitfish. Experiment with different retrieval speeds to find the right tempo that triggers a reaction bite.

Focus on Baitfish Patterns:

3. Bass feed heavily on baitfish during the early summer period. Pay attention to the presence of shad or other forage species in the water. Match your lure selection and color patterns to mimic the local baitfish. This increases your chances of enticing a strike.

Target Shallow Cover during Low-Light Periods:

4. During low-light periods such as early morning or late evening, early summer bass often move back to shallow water to feed. Look for areas with vegetation, docks, laydowns, or other types of cover. Topwater lures like buzzbaits, poppers, or wake baits can be highly effective during these times.

Downsize Your Baits:

5. While early summer bass can be aggressive, there are times when they become wary and selective. Downsizing your baits and slowing retrieval speeds can make a significant difference. Switch to smaller soft plastics, finesse jigs, or drop shots to imitate natural prey and increase your chances of getting bites when the bite gets tough.

Experiment with Different Depths:

6. Early summer bass may hold at different depths depending on water conditions, available cover, and forage. Vary your lure presentations and target different depth zones until you locate the active fish. This could mean using shallow-running crankbaits, deep-diving plugs, Carolina rigs, or slower jigging techniques.

Stay Mobile and Cover Water:

7. Early summer bass are known for being highly mobile. They can move quickly from one location to another in search of food. Cover water by moving from spot to spot and keep an eye out for signs of bass activity like schooling baitfish, surface disturbances, or birds diving into the water.

Slow Down Your Presentations in Cold Front Conditions:

8. Cold fronts can temporarily shut down the feeding activity of early summer bass. During these conditions, slow down your lure presentations and opt for more finesse techniques. Use slower moving baits like soft plastics, jigs, or Carolina rigs to entice bites from inactive fish.

Fishing for early summer bass requires an angler to be strategic and adaptable as conditions and bass movements change. By understanding the bass' potential behavior occurring during this period and employing the right techniques, you can greatly enhance your chances of connecting with some quality bass.