Bass Fishing Lures That Mimic Live Shad

One of the most prevalent bait fish in many bass waters is the shad, and for that reason shad are also a major food source for bass. Both large and smallmouth bass feed on shad, but shad are probably best known as a largemouth bass bait. In any case, any serious bass angler needs to have effective shad imitations as a part of their bass fishing arsenal.

In this article I will outline a few of the most effective bass fishing lures that mimic live shad. This is the key to any effective fishing lure. You want your lure, no matter which type of lure you choose to use, to mimic the live bait fish that it represents in an effective manner. The following bass fishing lures certainly accomplish this fact, mimicking live shad in a very effective manner.

The first bass lure that looks incredibly realistic are soft plastics. The Storm "Wildeye" Swim Shad is incredibly realistic, for example. The Storm "WildEye" Swim Shad 5" and 6" Swim Baits feature an array of fish catching colors and patterns, and mimic live shad quite nicely. These bass baits are just a soft plastic body with a hook running through it. Very simple, yet very effective.

Another effective soft plastic is the Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad. This bass bait actually "lives" in a solution that is designed to attract bass. This scents is then dispersed into the water as the shad is retrieved, leaving a trail of bass attracting scent that bass find hard to resist. These jerk baits are rigged just like any soft plastic jerk bait would be and are very effective for suspended bass.

When it comes to bass fishing lures that mimic live shad the KickTail Minnow is the next lure that must be mentioned. This unique swim bait features a hard head with a soft plastic body that mimics a live shad in an almost unbelievable manner. This bait really looks like a live shad when being retrieved. This bass bait is amazingly realistic under the water.

The bottom line is that these fishing lures mimic live shad to a very high degree. Any (or all) of them must be a part of any serious bass fisherman's repertoire, especially if live shad are prevalent in the body of water that you fish for bass. Bass, both large and small mouth, find all of these bass fishing lures hard to resist.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

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Bass Fishing Tips - Under The Trees!

A good bass fishing article from Scott Michael below.

Fishing For Bass in the Trees

This article is another in my series of articles on bass fishing. It involves my system of fishing for bass in laydowns and over hanging trees with a floating minnow lure.

The best Lay Downs to Target

I prefer to target fresh laydowns with leaves still on the branches with this system, as they will still have insects on them and this will draw bait fish which will in turn draw in the bass to feed.

What Lure to use

My old stand by for this is the original floating rapala in brown gold color. This is not to say that your favorite minnow bait will not work but I have been catching fish with this lure in this situation for over 30 years and see no reason to change.

My Preferred Tackle

With out Question my favorite tackle for this system is a 7 foot medium St Coix spinning rod with a Shimano reel and 10 lb line.

Boat Position

I will approach my trees form a direct angle with the bow of my boat pointing directly into the trees so as to be able to reach all points of the cover. and to able to skip my bait up under the over hanging trees if possible.

With lay downs boat position is not as crucial as you only need to be sure you can pick apart the different spots on the laydowns... ie getting a cast up near the bank where the root of the tree comes into the water this will usually be the most shaded area on the laydown and afford the bass an ambush point.

Working the lure in over hangs

I will start by casting my floating rapala to the farthest point I can up under an overhanging tree. I will allow it to rest for a few seconds and then begin a retrieve of subtle jerks pulling the bait just under the water and then allowing it to float back to the surface like a submarine and let it sit for a second then repeat back to the boat.

Be sure to change up your cadence if your not getting bit... as a rule largemouth bass prefer the slower retrieve and smallmouth prefer a sharp quick jerking motion , experiment with your retrieve let the bass tell you what they want.

Working the bait in laydowns

My approach for laydowns never wavers I always use the same technique when fishing laydowns and wood piles. I will throw the rapala as close to the cover as I can , and use a super slow retrieve by small slow jerks under the water let the bait surface and sit for as long as you can stand it..then repeat.

I will fish every ambush point possible on this type of cover and hit each "spot on the spot" several times.

This technique will produce year round I pound this pattern hard in rivers with wood piles for smallmouth, it is deadly. The next time your out, put on that floating minnow bait and give this technique a try you wont be disappointed.

I have been fishing for bass for over 40 years you can find more articles, tips, tricks, videos and more at TournamentBassTackle.com. Get more articles tips and tricks at http://www.tournamentbasstackle.com.

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Fishing For Largemouth Bass At night

A good article covering fishing for largemouth bass at night

Night Fishing Preparation and Safety Tips

Fishing for largemouth bass at night can be an exhilarating experience, however with night fishing there are more risks that an angler takes for something ending in disaster. If you are new to night fishing, then you really need to become educated on the safety issues and essential preparations that need to be accounted for before unknowingly exposing yourself to any dangers. It is crucial to understand that night fishing is some of the best extreme largemouth bass fishing an individual can partake in; however it is full of added hazards.

Things that a fisherman is familiar with during daytime fishing excursions are completely foreign in the dark. When you are planning to embark in the night, you need to make certain that you have taken the necessary measures to safeguard against the hostile of the dark. You can accomplish this by simply following this list of safety tips and night-fishing preparations:

1. Always carry extra lights- Whether you are going to wade in the water or going out on a boat to land that extreme largemouth bass. Make sure that if you are going to wade that you have a lighted helmet, carry extra flashlights with you. If you are out on a boat, make sure your boat is equipped with sufficient lights and up to the codes that are required by the Coast Guard. Also, carry batteries for lights and flashlights just in case your boat lights malfunction.

2. Floatation devices- It is imperative that you have adequate floatation devices on your boat in case of an emergency. Remember being prepared and covering all bases can save a life or improve the circumstances.

3. Extra clothes- The night air can be chilly, so it is important to bring extra clothing. You can always disrobe if you get warm, however in the situation where you can be lost or trapped extra clothing can come in handy, and spare you from freezing to death.

4. Communication devices- Thank goodness for technology! Bring a cell phone and utilize your navigational tools when you are night fishing for that largemouth bass. It could spare you from being lost, and assist in being able to contact help in an emergency.

5. Flares and first aid kit- No matter what the scenario, it is always important to have a first aid kit and a flare gun. The flare gun is essential, because it can notify for assistance in the dark and help can track you down in the darkest of territories. A first aid kit can be just what is needed in an ultimate emergency or even to bandage that nick you got from removing the hook from that largemouth bass you landed.

6. Sit down in a boat and carry a wade staff: Sitting down can spare you a wet night fishing venture or prevent a more serious situation from arising. Always try to sit down as much as you can in order to not be thrown overboard or have an accidental fall. When on land or wading, a wade staff can help you define the water depth and prevent that plunge or trampling in a vague environment. It can also assist you in keeping balance in uneven terrain and prevent a miscued step.

7. Communication and partnering- It is always best to night fish with company. Safety is in numbers in most cases. It can be great when you have someone to share that experience with, especially when you have landed that largemouth bass prize-winner. Also, always let others know where you are fishing and when you are planning to return. This way in an emergency someone can pinpoint where you are or detect when you do not return as expected that something is wrong.

Fishing in the quiet of night, and listening to the sounds of crickets and frogs can be very enjoyable. Night-fishing is a great opportunity to get acquainted with one of the best times to angle that largemouth bass, however it is significantly different than fishing in the day. As with anything there are dangers in fishing at night, so it is wise to practice good night fishing safety and always be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Adam L. Alpers invites you to learn all about Largemouth Bass Fishing and Enjoy to the extreme this wonderful pastime today. Visit http://www.bassfishingextreme.com and also our blog at http://www.bassfishingextreme.blogspot.com to get more out of your fishing experience in every way.

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