This sounds dumb, but what do they do with the bass that are caught at bass tournaments?  Also are the bass in the lakes an introduced species and need to be removed as pests.  Bass tournaments almost seem...savage.  Unless of course for the aforementioned reasons
210066
OK here's the deal...Bass are brought to the weigh in and then released back into the lake. The mortality rate is usually about 80% dependant upon the fishmen, his livewell, temperature, use of chemicals and a few other factors. The dead fish are usually consumed by either the fishermen or sometimes donated to a shelter. Actually, bass were not indiginous to our country but instead were brought here from Europe and released into our waterways at the time of the building of the railroads and the railroads were used to transport the fish. Bass were introduced as they are a  great gamefish and are very popular with sportsmen. Bass tournaments and anglers have done more to protect these fish and their environment thru financial and state agency efforts than most other organizations have done for the good of our own conservation. Tight Lines!
437321
Yes,overall the catfish is the least picky. Then again sometimes small fish like perch,bluegill will "steal " your bait  or if your  careful  that's what you catch. But  you better off to go to an offbeat area that's not all "fished out". Ive read that the bottom feeders carry  a lot of parasites, toxins ect... But I  go to  small streams away from the  areas where they would ever be fished. There are some  great small bass ect.. just waiting for the first minnow or worm to  be thrown in!
622612
you should be using a guide that will help you with your choices.   If you weren't planning on using a guide you need to reconsider.  I would hate for you to have a  bad trip.  I am a bass fisherwoman from the midwest myself.
566707
Any place that you can find cover that the bass can hide in or around.  Such as submerged trees, rocks and rock ledges, weeds and grasses in the water, and around docks.   Bass tend to hide in weeds to ambush prey as the prey swims by.  They also seek the shady side of cover to escape from the heat of the sun, just like we do.  If you walk down the shore, and find any form of the cover I have listed, try fishing there, and I guarantee that you'll get some bass. Have fun, and tight lines.
627396
Start looking for a sponsor and start entering the national tournaments. If you have any free time, I need a fishing guide East of Atlanta ..... LOL
156647
13 lb largemouth bass in a local tournament
279376
I live in ILL as well, I catch them using corn and nightcrawlers.  If they are spawning snag them with a treble hook.
255389
You! Are a Genius! As a hunter FOR Racists you use some pretty smelly bait, but you did in fact bring them out of the wood work! GREAT PIECE! We should probably save those responses and re post them when "those" people post a question or answer how open minded they are. You Did Good!
260600
WOW!! I was checking out this site last night, when I came upon this little tool. You enter the basses' length and girth, and it gives you an approximate weight. Just click on the link below to go right to it.  When you are done, check out the rest of the site.  Even if your the best bass fisherman in the world, you'll still learn a few things off of this site.  Have fun, tight lines and keep the wind at your back!
567060
I'd be willing to bet worms might be interested. And maybe fishermen. :)
564359
Dang, I can't top some of your answers, but I used to fish alot in Texas..\n\nI caught a pretty fat catfish once --- sortof looked retarted, his head was so big........should have been longer for the size of the head............He still tasted good, tho......and I've caught many 3-5 lb. bass.........but those got thrown back........and they FEEL LIKE you've got a gigantic fish on your line!!!   \n\nA crappie will lightly nip and tug.......whereas a bass will yank your arm off.............lol!\n\nSo --- I'm sure that right after some of the bass catches........when I saw the line move --- I probably ripped the lips off of some crappie, attempting to set the hook, and then... didn't have a 'fish'...............afterall...........  \n\n(Sorry, crappie)!!!
565270
Bass... I kinda figure you have a pretty good program put toether already.... but I use a couple different techniques for different presentations.... I stroke or hop jigs off of structures towards deeper water... its pretty effective.  I'll tend to finesse a jig into docks and vertical structures, especially if the bass are being pressured during a tournament or there are alot of people just "throwing" bait away. Once again, I like to work from shallow to deep waters. I try smooth movements and a pitch to reduce splash.  On both techniques, once I have worked the jig as deep as I can... I use a steady, medium speed to retrieve it... looking for that second chance at a bucket mouth.  \n\nGood anwser before on the attractant!!
666654
Well here in NC, I fish all over, but mainly for bass.... Shearron Harris, Kerr, and Falls of the Neuse River up by the Triad are all great for bass, crappie and blue gill as well as catfish at night.  Catfish abound on the Cape Fear River... even up to 60 lbs.... and you can catch stripped bass as well.  Tillery and Wyllie are great out by Ashboro and Charolotte for large and small mouth bass, crappie, bluegill and brim... and an occasional reddress.  The lakes on Ft Bragg are well stocked for catfish and bass... seven lakes total.  Bluette Falls on the Pee Dee River near Rockingham is well know for blue catfish and some pretty good channels too.  Bass are pretty good on the topside of the dam too... especially if you have a boat. The are plenty of trout in the mountain streams and a bunch of great lakes for fishing.  And my last hotspot....the New River along the Virginia line.... smallmouth heaven.
621026
Well, poo on "Report abuse".  I like to put some worms in a ziplock bag, spray with a garlic attractant, and then sprinkle in some garlic salt.  I only tend to use scents when the fishing is tough, but on a couple times, the bass really loved this mix.  On one occasion, on almost every cast for about an hour, I had around 20 bass hit my worm marinade.  Make this mix the night before you fish, so that the worms can soak in the flavor.  Keep in mind that bass attractants do not attract the bass, it only masks the odor of humans, and plastic to ensure a few extra seconds to set the hook, before the bass spits the worm out and you miss them.  If you really want to out-fish your hubby, get some YUM products.  They use an attractant that is built in to the bait, and works very well. I would suggest you get some YUM dingers.  Rig them texas style without any wieght.  Cast at the edges of any and all cover, and hold on to the rod, let the worm sink to the bottom as you pull the slack up with the rod tip, not reeling in any line.  I find most times, bass hit the worm after the initial "kerplunk", so keeping a semi-taut line will let you feel even the most subtle hits. But watch your line as well, because sometime you don't feel the hit, but your line will shoot off or move in one direction or the other.  If you don't get any bites on the first fall, let the bait sink to the bottom, and give it a few tugs, so the worm jumps about 1 foot off the bottom.  Usually bass will watch the worm, and this twitching will entice them to eat it. If it doesn't, hop it all the way back to you.  Don't tug to hard, or bass will be turned off, and know it's a fake.  I have drastically improved my catch rate using YUM dingers.  They come in 3,4,5,6,and 7 inch worms, as well as a 9 inch split-tail model.  I use the 4 inch and would suggest you get the same size, as well as a 6 or 7 inch size too.  I live in PA, and in this region, watermelon seed color works the best.  You should also try the YUM 7 inch ribbontail worm.  They work great also.  I have caught over 50 bass in the past month using YUM products, and would be lying if I told you YUM had nothing to do with it.  I think they have a great product for a low price too. When you buy them, also buy some Gamakotsu #1 size worm hooks.  They allow the worms to fall properly, and at a good and enticing rate.  Have fun, and trust me, with YUM, you WILL outfish your husband. Tight lines
151140
I'm not really to sure. But today I found this great site with tons of info about bass fishing. If thats what your looking for click the link below.  You may want to check it out anyway, it's a real good site. Go down on the page and click either on the left or right to view the different articles.
242014
I don't know of any web sites that will send ya free baits, but if you find one let me know. I know where you can get alot of free baits though if that will help you out any. Go to a FLW event or a BASS event and they usually had out free lures. At least at the Flw championship or the Bassmasters Classic.
349946
Wow, I hope I can answer all these. First off I live in central Florida and have fished the Harris Chain of lakes for many years as well as others.\n\nAt this time of year as the water is cooling, it;s best to start slowing down your presentation. Lures to use is a good question and depends on where you're fishing and what type of water you are in, stained, clear etc.. Also depends on the bottom and structure and location ( shoreline, deep water, etc)\n\nI myself prefer shoreline and use top water lures like the 11G - 13 G or S series  Rapalas and of course the old standby plastic worms and colors very depending on water clarity but for the most part it's Red or Moccasin color work best here. You mentioned a steady retrieve, for that try the all around favorite Spinner bait in white or chartreuse\n\nTo have success at Bass fishing the first thing you have to do is know your prey inside and out. Remember the bass is a preditor and lays in ambush for his food, so you have to go to him.\nTo do that you have to go to the bottom for the best fish.\n\nThe Tips I'd give you and it sounds stupid I know but if you want to catch bass remember 1 a bass is a preditor 2 he can't ware sunglasses and has no eye lids, so if your in the sun with no glasses where do you go 3 he hears with his lateral line and has sight that is unparalleled and a mind equal with yours and will challenge the best of fishermen. Remember he is the King of his domain.\n\nFrom a sportsman's view always remember when that big one gets away, don't get mad, it only means he was a better fish than you were a fishermen.