(This is the last of Gary Heffley's 4 part series on Bass Fishing Basics. You can catch Part 1, Bass Basics, Part II- Bass Species, and Part III- Bass Bait & Tackle, by clicking on the links)

Plastic Lures for Bass
It used to be very simple when talking about using plastics. Initially there were three colors of worms to choose from. Now you can get a worm, grub, tube, fluke, swimtail, paddletail, stick bait or variety of “creature” baits in every color and combination imaginable, even in some that defy imagination. For every size and action variation there are a constantly changing variety of techniques. Dart head, drop shot, wacky, dead stick, shaky head, ned rig, neko rig, Texas rig, and Carolina Rig are just of a few of the manners in which plastics are used. For basics and starting off, the dart head, and Texas rig are both simple and effective methods to target bass.

My favorite basic plastic bait is still a dart head curly tail plastic grub, in fact, a plastic grub was ranked the number one artificial bait in Field and Stream magazine's ranking of the 50 top lures of all time. The dart headed grub can be fished in the same manners as a jig along the bottom; i.e., representing a crawdad or due to the small size, an injured dying bait fish, or with a swimming retrieve resembling a bait fish. There are a myriad colors to choose from, but one of my favorites is a 4-inch salt and pepper grub with a chartreuse tail matched with a quarter ounce dart head. Because the hook is exposed when fishing a dart head it is common to become snagged and lose the bait, but the grubs come in multi-packs as do the jig heads. To add to the versatility, grubs can also be used for trailers, adding additional body to bait such as jigs. I add white grubs to many saltwater baits such as feather jigs for rock fish and bucktail jigs for stripers.

Plastic worms can be fished in the same manner with a dart head, but I prefer to Texas rig my worm set-up. The key to using a worm is to make sure the worm hangs straight on the hook. To set up a Texas rig run a worm weight up the line prior to tying on a “worm” hook. Specific hooks such as the off-set worm hook are designed for artificial worms. They are meant to be pushed through the nose of the worm from hook point to the tie-off end. Hang the worm straight down and take the exposed hook point and push it back into and bury it in the body of the worm again so the worm hangs straight. The weight is designed either to slide up and down the line above the hook, or as many anglers do, peg the weight to the line with a tip of a toothpick just above the bait. This, along with the buried hook, will allow the bait to fish “weedless,” sliding through brush, weeds and along rocks without becoming snagged. There are also plastic “creature baits,” large bodied baits that can be fished in the same manner or with a weighted jig head.

Tossing a jig, a weighted head and hook with a skirt is a very popular bass catching technique. When using a jig, a soft plastic creature bait is often added to the hook. There are two basic methods of retrieving these baits and reasons for doing so. One method is to move the bait very slowly along the bottom, bouncing it along rocks and structure, jigging it if you will; hence the name -- the action mimics a crawdad. The other popular method is to retrieve the jigs as if it were a fish, swimming the bait with a steady retrieve. The body and skirt provide the live action of a bluegill or other bait fish. Colors vary, and matching the natural forage can be a key to success. Jigs can also be purchased with a different variety of weighted hooks with various head shapes and a variety of plastic bodies.

Swimbaits
A very popular technique for true trophy hunters is tossing a large swimbait. While considered by many a basic technique, this is not a technique for a basic spinning rod user. A strong casting rod supported with a strong casting reel is needed to handle these heavy lures. What is nice about bass casting rods is many are designed with a particular technique in mind. Most rods will give the technique, lure weight and line weight specifications right on the rod. If you choose to expand into other techniques from the basic spinning rod and reel it is easy to find the right equipment for the job.

Swimbaits are designed for a sink rate to be matched with the waters and depth the angler is targeting. There is an adage that big fish like big baits, while big fish will take a small bait. There is little doubt that many large bass come from those targeting big fish with a big swimbait. Swimbait fishermen are usually not after lots of average-size bass, just the big ones. At Clear Lake, a large hitch colored swimbait will often produce; while in lakes where trout and kokanee are present match those patterns. Bass fisherman consider stocked trout and kokanee “bass growing pills,” (Think....Shasta, Trinity, Bullards Bar and Whiskeytown).

Another trophy technique and one that was founded on Delta waters (by legendary angler Dee Thomas) is the flipping technique. While considered a standard technique, this is by no means a basic technique and one that demands special tackle and heavy braided line. The basis of the technique is flipping a heavy jig with a big bodied creature bait trailer directly into heavy cover and pockets around thick vegetation where big bass like to hide. The technique calls for a very short, accurate, underhand pitch/flip placement targeted most often just a few feet from the boat. Many anglers practice their flipping technique on dry land pitching baits into a coffee mug, accuracy is often that critical. Keeping a tight line on the fall of the bait through the cover and setting the hook hard when a strike is detected is advised. Lift as you set the hook and have the reel drag set to max. Most often you are bringing weeds and vegetation along with the bass. The tules lines, shoreline vegetation and dock structures of Clear Lake, makes it popular water for flippers.

With the wide diversity of waters found in Northern California it is important to seek local knowledge when targeting bass. Make sure to read and understand the state regulations when fishing any waters in the state. There are size, limit, and bait restrictions on many bass waters in the state. It is important to be versatile and to be able to adapt to conditions. Water and weather conditions can both affect the bite and activity of bass. Having a variety of techniques in your fishing arsenal will help in consistently being able to adapt to conditions and catch bass. These are but a few techniques to get started with. 

See you on the water...

Gary Heffley has been a valued contributor to MyOutdoorBuddy for over 10 years serving as manager, sales representative and reporter for much of Northern California. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to fish and write about his adventures. He has a long history in the Sporting Goods field and uses that extensive experience to impart his wisdom in his writing.