Bass Fishing Hacks
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What pound test should I use for bass fishing?
The pound test that you will need for bass fishing will vary depending upon the fishing scenario. For instance, if you are fishing in heavy cover with frogs or jigs, then you might need a 50 pound braided fishing line to get the best results. If you are fishing with a Carolina rig in open water, then you might only need a 12 pound mono filament or fluorocarbon fishing line.
The correct line that you are using for your bass fishing depends upon the techniques that you are using and the particular environment that you are fishing in. There is no one size fits all pound test that bass anglers should use every time regardless of where they are fishing.
I am a Bass Fishing Charter Guide on the Treasure Coast of Florida. I have been fishing the lakes, ponds and canals all over Florida from more than 40 years. In the article below, I will cover everything that I know about the proper fishing lines for the various bass fishing lures and fishing techniques.
Let’s get started.
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What pound test should I use for bass fishing a Texas rig or Carolina rig?
A Carolina rig is used mostly in open water fishing scenarios which means that you can get away with a lighter line most of the time. The best pound test for a Carolina rig will be a 10 to 12 pound mono filament or fluorocarbon fishing line. That should be plenty of strength for the bass that you will be catching with that rig.
A Texas rig is much more versatile as a bass fishing technique. The Texas rig can be used in heavy cover or open water depending upon the body of water where you are bass fishing. This means that you will need different pound test lines and different types of fishing lines to maximize your results.
When you are fishing a Texas rig in heavy cover or brush then you will want to beef up your pound test that you are using. You will want to go with a 50 pound braided line for fishing around structure and thick vegetation. You will need more strength to get those big bass out of the thick stuff.
If you are fishing a Texas rig in a more open water scenario like around a sandy shoreline or out in an open part of a lake, then you can downsize your fishing line. A 12 pound mono filament or fluorocarbon fishing line will work just fine in those scenarios.
What pound test should I use for bass fishing a frog?
Frog fishing is all about catching those big bass that like to hang out in heavy cover and thick vegetation. The big bass are smart and are usually back in an area that has a lot of protection for them and a food supply. That means that you will have to fish in the weed mats, lily pads, cattails or a hard to fish area similar to that.
You will need to beef up your rod and reel and the line that you are using for fishing for bass with frogs. You will have to get a heavy power, fast action rod and a high speed 7:1 reel to have the right gear to get those bass out of the heavy cover where they are hiding.
You will have to couple that rod and reel combo with braided line from 50 to 65 pounds of test strength to get those bass out of the structure too. You will often have to pull a bass and 5 pounds of weeds with you too when you are fishing in that scenario.
What pound test should I use for bass fishing a crankbait?
The crankbait is one of the most versatile bass fishing lures that there is. You can fish it around structure; you can fish it in 12 inches of water; you can fish it in 30 feet of water; you can fish it in the summer time; you can fish it in the winter time; you can fish a crankbait just about anywhere.
The best pound test for fishing a crankbait is a 12 pound mono filament or fluorocarbon fishing line for most scenarios. You can fish that pound test whether your are in the shallows or way down deep.
What pound test should I use for bass fishing a spinnerbait?
A spinnerbait is another one of those lures that you can use in just about any scenario during any part of the year. Because they are basically weed less, you can even fish them in open vegetation scenarios. When you are using a spinnerbait you don’t want to let the bass get too good of a look at it.
Spinnerbaits are a reaction type of lure so you have to keep them moving to maximize your bass catching success. The best pound test for fishing with a spinner bait is a 12 pound mono filament or fluorocarbon fishing line. You can also tie a braided fishing line directly to your spinnerbaits if you want to.
What pound test should I use for bass fishing a jig?
Bass jig fishing is a technique for fishing in cover of some type. You can pitch a jig to a brush pile or into some dock pilings. You can pitch a jig into the lily pads or the floating weed mats. You can pitch a lure to bounce on the bottom if you want to. In other words, you can fish a jig just about anywhere you want to.
If you are fishing in heavy cover then you will need to beef up your fishing line. You will probably want to go with a 50 pound braided line for that scenario. You can get away with the heavy pound test if you are fishing in more open water fishing scenarios.
What pound test should I use for bass fishing a top water lure?
Top water bass fishing is a lot of fun. Top water bass fishing involves some amazing fishing strikes and is my favorite way to fish. You will need to downsize your fishing line’s pound test depending upon the water conditions. If you are fishing in clear and clean water, then you will want to use a mono filament or fluorocarbon fishing line in the 12 to 14 pound range.
If you are fishing in stained or dirty water, then you can tie a top water lure with braided line. In dirty water, the bass do not get a good look at your lure so you can beef up your pound test of the line that you are using.
What pound test should I use for bass fishing with live bait?
You will want to downsize your your fishing line pound test when you are fishing with live baits. Live bait bass fishing is all about the presentation. You will want to downsize your line strength to get the most bites that you can.
Try and choose a line strength that is just enough to get those bass to the boat where you are fishing. It depends upon the types of fishing that you are doing and the techniques that you are using to get on those big bass. When you are fishing with live bait you will want to downsize as light as you can to give your bait the most natural presentation that you can.
Live bait is the best way to get a finicky bass to eat your hook. It is really as simple as that. If you can get your bait to look just right, then you can catch a ton of bass with live bait.
If you are fishing around structure like sunken trees or boulders or docks and bridges, then you might need to use a line with a higher pound test. Using live bait around thick vegetation is another area where you might need to beef up your line too.
I hope that you catch a lot more bass or at least have more fun trying. Good luck.
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