Sunscreen

We all forget it from time to time and Mother Nature reminds us the next day. Make sure you are taking care of your skin, so you can stay out on the water all weekend long. Seek out a high quality, waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF that works well for you. Reapply regularly. Just remember that fish HATE sunscreen, so you need to make sure to keep your hands clean so no traces of it are on your lure or line.

A Hat

A solid fishing hat is a necessity for all anglers. Luckily there are a variety of different options on the market. One thing they all have in common is that they have sun protection around the perimeter of the hat in the form of brims or a detachable shade. Choosing a hat with ventilation is also a great idea to keep you more comfortable.

Sunglasses

Your choice of the right sunglasses to protect your eyes while you are on the water is largely based on personal preference. The lenses themselves are what you need to pay attention to as the frame is simply esthetic. Consider polarized, high transmission, blue mirror or copper mirror lenses for ultimate protection.

Stocked Tackle Box

You never know when a line will break or the bait you’re using just won’t cut it. A tackle box stocked with lots of extras from hooks, sinkers, tools and bait will keep you fishing long into the day. A tape measure to check that what you’re catching is of legal size is also a good addition to any tackle box. Don’t forget a few first aid items too, especially water-resistant bandages.

Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchor

While a Power-Pole is the most costly item on this list, it is the one item that can transform any kind of day into a good fishing day. Even when it’s windy, these hydraulic anchors keep you where you need to be so you can get the fish you came for.

Plan your next weekend-long fishing expedition soon and make sure you don’t leave without these 5 essentials.

While smaller bass can be found in shallow shoreline cover areas, adult bass typically stay in deep water following spawning season. They avoid the bright sunlight they dislike by staying deep in the water.  However deeper water makes for more challenging fishing, as it is hard to find those sought-after big bass once they move into open water. However, the actual depth big bass enjoy is relative to what is deep for the specific body of water you are fishing. Knowing where they hang out in deep water is priceless knowledge.

Near Docks

Docks that jut out into deep water are a prime spot for bass to hang out. They have the protective cover from the sun’s rays that they crave. While many anglers will cast around the perimeter of docks, casting into the interior of the dock in hard to reach spots will help you find those elusive big ones.

Deep Water Points

As mentioned above deep water is the place for big bass. Points of deep water that jut out from shallower areas are great places for bass to hide. You’ll find them hovering in such areas, that may be found in the middle of a lake, at the mouth of a cove or where creeks trickle into bigger bodies of water.

Under Isolated Cover

Because most bodies of water are large, finding a fish in it randomly is unlikely. However, find isolated cover in that body of water and your chances of finding bass there are greatly increased. That isolated cover could be a rock pile, old appliances or tires that have been dumped into the water, an abandoned dock or a clump of weeds. Cast from a distance for the best results. Try such areas repeatedly.

Near Riprap

Manmade walls or foundations aka riprap is often found bordering most lakes. Because it is haphazardly created, there are lots of places for bass to hide and for the things bass eat to flourish. Work these areas for the best catches.

Transitional Areas

Channel banks or other transitional areas where water is flowing into a body of water from another can be found in coves or the main part of a lake. Abrupt banks are often where bass lurk. Cast your line with practically any kind of bait in these areas, and you are sure to get the big one.

Know where to find big bass and every day on the water will be a good one.

Prespawning Season Tips

When largemouth bass are prespawning during the early spring, they are easy to catch. As temperatures hit the 45 degree and higher mark, bass rise up out of the deep waters. You will find them typically in depths of 2 to 12 feet of water.  The Northwest corner of the lake is always your best choice for early spring fishing as it is the warmest spot.

When looking for that perfect spot, look first near known spawning flats, such as rocks, logs, humps and points. Arms of shallow creeks that have wood and weeds providing coverage are also great spots to find prespawning bass. Fishing after a warm rain is always great timing that will generally result in an increased catch.

Spawning Season Tips

During spawning season itself, bass head to shallow areas that are protected. The temperature of the water can give you a clue. If it is between 55 and 65 degrees, spawning has begun for at least some of the lake’s fish. Again, the northwest area of the lake is always a great starting point.

Seek out areas that are lit by the sun. Shallow areas of about 1 to 6 feet in depth and about 10 feet from shore, are ideal for bass spawning and bass fishing. Avoid areas susceptible to rough water. Typically male bass can be found near sunken logs, boulders, or in a cluster of bulrushes protecting the nest.

Once you have found that perfect spot, anchoring quickly and quietly is a must. The Power-Pole shallow water anchor system is critical to keeping you exactly where you need to be during spawning season. You can work your spot systematically, for a better catch. In addition, the Power-Pole doesn’t spook the bass that are busy defending their nests. It is the tool that delivers the stealth that is necessary for successful bass fishing during spawning season.