5 Tips for Landing Bass in the South

Some of the best bass fishing in North America can be found south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Those living there would probably say the best full stop. There’s no question that bass fishing in the South can be one of the most fun and rewarding angling adventures. Hunting big Southern bass can also involve some specific challenges that shouldn’t be overlooked. With a little preparation of tackle, patience, and some high-performance fishing shirts, a Southern bass hunt can be an unforgettable angling adventure. 

1. PREPARE A VARIETY OF LIFE BAIT AND LURES

If there’s one word that defines the approach you should take to your tackle when fishing for Southern bass, it is “variety.” It can be hard to determine what will pique a bass’s interest on a particular day, but it’s never a bad idea to go prepared with a number of options. If lures aren’t doing the trick, consider rigging up with nightcrawlers, live minnows, crawfish, or leeches. In addition to being voracious hunters, bass can also be territorial and aggressive. Sometimes just the disturbance of a topwater buzzbait can trigger a strike when a juicy shiner is being ignored.

2. UNDERSTAND THE SEASONAL HABITS OF BASS

The diet and behavior of bass differ based on the season. For instance, in the spring, many Southern anglers swear by crawfish and crawfish-colored baits, as well as working shallower water to hit bass spawning beds. Summer and fall fishing calls for going deeper to cooler water with silver baits to emulate shiner and shad. 

3. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER

When people associate Southern bass fishing and the weather, most likely think “hot,” and with good reason. It does indeed get hot in the South. For those dressed the part, fishing under the warm Southern sun can prove a joy. To ensure that your experience is pleasant, look for performance fishing gear to beat the heat. For instance, find a selection of professional-grade performance fishing shirts. They’re favored by tournament pros for providing protection from the sun while being light and breathable enough to keep you cool. The high-performance polyester is also great for wicking away moisture, which will keep you drier too. Additionally, bring a hat, a pair of polarized sunglasses, a good quantity of sunscreen, and don’t forget the rain gear.

4. USE RED BAIT TO ATTRACT BASS 

Bass don’t have great color vision, but they can see red. Particularly when fishing cover in shallow water like docks, submerged logs, and weed-beds, consider bait featuring prominent red heads, bodies, or hooks. That can convince bass that they’re seeing wounded prey, triggering big strikes.

5. KEEP YOURS HOOKS SHARP

This isn’t a bad idea for any species of gamefish in any region of the country, but it never hurts to sharpen your hooks when bass fishing. Bass have tougher, bonier mouths than many other species, and a sharper hook is more likely to result in a solid hook-set. Hook files are not very expensive, sharpening hooks doesn’t take very long, and it’s a little thing that can make a big difference. 

Photo Courtesy of Gillz