4 Techniques Every Bass Angler Should Know

There are a lot of reasons why bass are the preferred quarry for more anglers than any other freshwater species. They fight hard, live almost everywhere, and are generally very aggressive. Bass can also be caught in a virtually unlimited number of ways, which is another factor in their mass appeal. Whether you’re a “soak a minnow under a bobber” type, or “trolling motor on high, chucking and winding a spinnerbait” type, you’re probably going to be successful and land some nice bass.Because there are so many ways for anglers to catch bass, it can be challenging to sort through all the different techniques and determine which conditions call for which technique. For that reason, we’ve put together a guide to four techniques that every bass fisherman should know and under what conditions they work best.

1. Drop Shot

A relative newcomer to the bass scene, drop shotting was developed in California in the 1990s has since become a go-to finesse approach for anglers all across the country. At its simplest, a drop shot is just a hook with a long tag end to which a bell sinker is secured; essentially reversing the traditional format of line-sinker-hook, and instead having the weight at the very bottom, below the bait. By placing the bait above the weight, it gets excellent separation from the bottom and is allowed to move more freely. By gently shaking the rod tip, anglers can make a bait shake and dance without ever moving the sinker. How to rig: Take a small (#1 or #1/0) octopus, mosquito, or drop shot hook and tie it to the main line using a palomar knot, leaving a 6 to 24 inch tag end. Secure a 1/8 to 3/8 ounce bell (or drop shot) sinker to the tag line. Nose hook a finesse worm, craw, or shad imitator.When to use: The drop shot is killer in clear water, around finicky fish, and whenever they are suspended off the bottom. It is also a dynamite presentation in deep water because it makes maintaining bottom contact a breeze.

2. Texas Rig

A bass fishing standby, the Texas rig is one of the ideal ways to present soft plastic baits. Not only does it provide a weedless presentation, but it also allows anglers to effectively fish the bottom from the shallows all the way out to 20 feet and deeper.With the sinker free, a Texas rig produces a gentle glide on the fall, which appeals to bass in more open situations. By pegging the sinker, the bait falls faster and doesn’t get hung up in weeds and wood.How to rig: Slide a bullet sinker on to the main line, then tie on a #1/0 - #5/0 offset or worm hook. Thread on a worm, creature bait, or lizard.When to use: Texas rigs are great around grass, wood, docks, and rocks. It is the most snag resistant of all the standard soft plastics presentations.

3. Shaky Head

A shaky head (or jighead worm) is one of the best ways to subtly present a finesse worm or soft plastic and it generates strikes when nothing else is working. The key difference between a shakey head and a Texas rig is that threading the plastic onto a jighead allows it to stand up off the bottom.When rigged properly, a shaky head working across the bottom looks a lot like a little darter or bottom fish feeding nose down on the bottom, and big bass can’t resist.How to rig: There are hundreds of shakey head jigs on the market. Some have screw-locks, others are threaded. Choose the lightest weight you can get away with (typically 1/8 or 3/16 ounce) and still feel bottom. Rig weedless following the instructions provided by the jig manufacturer, and thread on your favorite finesse worm or craw.When to use: Shaky heads are at their best around rocks, docks, and other hard bottom situations. Because they present the bait nose down in a finesse manner, they are also most effective in situations where there is average to good visibility.

4. Carolina Rig

The Carolina rig is the ultimate soft plastic presentation for fishing deep structure. It allows anglers to precisely present baits to bottom dwelling fish at almost any depth. This is accomplished by placing a freely sliding weight in-line with the hook – which means it doesn’t impede sensitivity or the hookset.Carolina rigging is an amazing search tool. Anglers often use Carolina rigs to cover water when looking for offshore bass because you can fish it relatively quickly, it has the ability to draw bass in from a distance, and it transmits information to the angler regarding bottom composition. Because the weight is in-line but not connected to the bait, it allows anglers to use a heavier weight without diminishing sensitivity.How to rig: Just like with the Texas rig, the Carolina rig starts with sliding a bullet, barrel, or pencil sinker. Then, unlike a Texas rig the next component is a swivel, which allows the weight to slide freely. To the swivel, attach a 12-36 leader and top it off with a #2/0 - #5/0 worm hook rigged with a lizard, creature bait, or worm.When to use: Carolina rigs are great on any and all offshore structure. Points, humps, gravel bars, ledges, and ditches are all excellent structures. Making sure these four techniques are in your angling arsenal will help you catch more fish and have more fun on the water!