The great thing about bass fishing is that you can make it as complicated or simple as you like. Bass are caught with simple baits and lures on the bank of a pond and from tricked-out bass boats that cost more than some homes. Getting carried away with the latest fishing tackle and gear trends can be easy, but it is not all needed to catch a bass. While it can be fun to try new techniques, sometimes it's a good idea to come full circle with simple methods.
Whether you are just starting and want to go bass fishing at the most basic level or trying to scale back and make things fun again, there are ways to do it. Going simple can be fun and rejuvenating if you need a reset to find your love of bass fishing again. Here are a few tips on ways to get back to the basics of bass fishing.
Bank Fishing
This is how most bass anglers get their start, and it may be how you are fishing most often now, but fishing from the bank is one of the most basic (and fun) ways to target bass. Things are much simpler with a few rods and a tackle bag, and it's a great way to catch bass. You also don't need a full day of fishing to have fun, and it's a great way to spend a few hours fishing. You show up and fish and do not have to worry about all the extra work that comes with towing and launching a boat.
Fishing from the bank can be challenging in some places due to access, but there are still many places on a body of water where you can fish from shore. Some of the best places to fish are near boat ramps, marinas, and bridges, and all are great locations to catch bass because bass are generally always somewhere nearby.
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Simple baits like a wacky-rigged Senko are great for catching fish and ensuring you get many bites. One thing to consider when fishing from the bank is to keep your tackle selection limited and stick with tried-and-true baits. Lures like jigs, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics are all must-haves for fishing from the shore. Often, one rod and a small selection of tackle in your pockets are all you'll need to catch some bass.
Confidence Baits and Spots
Confidence goes a long way with bait selection. Going with the obvious choices and things you have the most confidence in can help you return to the basics. Use what has always worked for you instead of chasing the latest trends and trying the newest baits and techniques. Whatever you like to do and whatever baits you like to fish are perfect for returning to your roots.
This sounds simple, but being in the best locations that always produce is a great way to return to the basics and catch more fish. Stick with the obvious areas or "community holes" where anglers are always fishing. They are popular because they are places where fish live.
Explore Somewhere New
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Launching your boat on a new body of water for the first time is exciting because anything is possible. It's a great way to reset and try something different. Exploring new bodies of water is a solid idea if you want to reset and return to the basics. When you arrive at a new body of water, anything is possible, and you can get back to fishing and trying to figure things out on the fly. It is part of the allure of bass fishing and trying to figure out the puzzle the best for that particular day. Going somewhere you haven't ever been or haven't been to in a long time is an excellent way to experience this feeling.
If you can, take a road trip a few hours away and try to fish somewhere new. Even if you are sticking to your home waters, try exploring a different part of the lake or doing something different than you usually do. Make it a point to only fish new areas and see what happens. It's a great way to reset, and you might find some great new places to fish in the future.
Go Fishing with Someone New
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Fishing with someone for the first time lets you get to know them better and share a fun day on the water. We all have our favorite fishing partners, maybe a buddy or your wife or child. You might even prefer to fish alone, but fishing with someone new for the first time can change your perspective on fishing, and you will likely learn some things. No matter how experienced they may be, they probably use different techniques, gear, and baits, and you might pick up something new by fishing with another angler.
It's an excellent opportunity to fish with someone for the first time and share your love of the outdoors. It's a great way to go back to the basics and remind yourself why you do this in the first place. Fishing by yourself is great when you want some peace and time, but fishing with someone else can be a blast, especially your first time on the water together.
There are many things we can do to fish and remind ourselves what makes this such a fun way to spend a day. Bass fishing can sometimes become very complicated, but it's not all required to catch a bass. These are four simple things that anyone can do and will make fishing more enjoyable.
