How to Catch More Bass When the Bite is Off

If you’re a bass angler who loves fishing, you know that sometimes the fish just don’t bite. It can be frustrating, especially when you spend all day fishing and come home empty handed.

But there are a few things you can do to catch more bass when the bite is off. You need to understand why the bass aren’t biting and be able to use this knowledge to your advantage.

1. Be quite

Bass are sensitive to noises, vibrations and movement that can cause them to spook off. This is why it is always important to be as quiet as possible when you are on the water.

2. Change the lure or bait you’re using

A simple change in a lure or bait can often trigger bass into biting again. For example, if you are using a crawfish in the fall but the bass are not biting, try throwing something different such as a shad or even a grub.

3. Mix up the retrieval speed and cadence

The retrieval of a lure is crucial to catching bass, especially when it’s cold out. Bass are opportunistic predators and will be looking for small changes in your lure like a pause, an increase in speed or deflection off cover.

4. Change the color of your lure

A bright colored bait will attract bass more than a darker one. Red is a hot-button color that many bass anglers swear by, but you can also go with black or brown.

5. Change the presentation of your bait

The presentation of your bait is important to catching bass, but it can be difficult to do in certain conditions. For example, if the water is clear and you are casting a topwater bait, the bass may see it too clearly and be wary of it.

6. Change the depth you are fishing

Depending on the season, time of day and weather conditions, the bass will prefer different depths. This is why it is important to fish at different depths to get the most out of your angling experience.

7. Don’t rig your bait too tightly

When it comes to rigging your baits, it is crucial to avoid tight tying. If you rig your bait too tightly, it can make the lure difficult to cast or move around.

You can always use a leader or swivel to help keep the line from getting too tight. The leader should be long enough to reach the bottom of the water, but short enough that it doesn’t snag on anything.

8. Don’t jerk your bait too hard

When you are fishing for bass, it is important to reel the rod sideways once you feel the bite. This will give you a chance to reposition your bait before the bass catches it.

9. The spy bait

A spy bait is a finesse technique that can be effective in tough situations. The concept is to imitate a lone baitfish by setting your bobber slightly under the surface of the water and then letting it sink to the bottom.