Species guide

Bass Fishing: Gear and Setups

The most widely targeted freshwater gamefish in the United States, and the species most tackle is designed around.

Also known as Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass.

Bass setups by technique

Generated by our recommendation engine for an average fish in water typical for the species. Adjust for your water with the Setup Builder.

Recommended bass setups by technique
Technique	Rod	Reel	Main line	Leader	Hook
Spinning	6'–6'6" Medium power · Fast action	2500–3000 Spinning reel	15–25 lb Braided line	8–15 lb Fluorocarbon	1/0–3/0 Offset worm hook
Baitcasting	7'–7'6" Medium Heavy power · Fast action	150–200 Baitcasting reel	12–20 lb Fluorocarbon	Not required Optional	2/0–4/0 Offset worm hook
Jigging	6'–6'6" Medium power · Fast action	2500–3000 Spinning reel	15–25 lb Braided line	8–15 lb Fluorocarbon	1/0–3/0 Offset worm hook

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

Where to find bass

Largemouth bass hold near cover in warm, slow water: weed edges, laydowns, docks, and the first drop off a flat. Smallmouth prefer cooler, clearer water with rock, current seams and gravel. Both are present in most of the lower 48.

How they feed

Ambush feeders that position against cover or a current break and take a bait moving past them. They inhale rather than bite, which is why bite detection matters more than hookset strength on most presentations.

Typical size

Most bass caught are 1 to 3 pounds and 12 to 18 inches. Four pounds is a good fish in most of the country; the fish that stretch tackle are the 6-plus pounders that show up around the spawn.

Through the year

Shallow and aggressive in spring around the spawn, deeper and structure-oriented through summer heat, shallow again in fall as bait moves in, and slow and deep in winter. Presentation speed should follow water temperature more than the calendar.

What to put on the end of the line

Baits and lures our engine has rules for, for the techniques bass are most often caught on.

Nightcrawler

The default live bait for most freshwater fish in the country.

Hook size for this

Live minnow

Shiners, fatheads and chubs, fished under a float or on a bottom rig.

Hook size for this

Leech

A walleye staple in the upper Midwest, fished on a slip sinker or a jig.

Hook size for this

Crawfish

A primary forage item for bass and catfish where they occur.

Hook size for this

Large live shiner

Big baitfish for big fish, usually free-lined or under a float.

Hook size for this

Plastic worm

Texas rigged or Carolina rigged straight-tail and ribbon-tail worms.

Hook size for this

Soft stick bait

Weightless or wacky-rigged salted stick worms.

Hook size for this

Creature or craw bait

Bulky appendage baits for flipping, punching and jig trailers.

Hook size for this

Common bass mistakes

Undersized hook gap on Texas rigs

A 2/0 worm hook buried in a thick creature bait often does not have enough clearance to reach the fish's jaw. If you are getting bites and not hooking up, go up a size or to an EWG.

Braid straight to the bait in clear water

Braid is highly visible. On clear reservoirs and smallmouth water, a fluorocarbon leader is usually worth the extra knot.

A fast rod on a crankbait

A fast action plus treble hooks means fish tear off on head shakes. Crankbaits want a moderate action that lets the fish load the rod.

Regulations

Bass seasons, size limits and catch-and-release rules vary widely by state and often by individual water body. Check the current regulations from your state fish and wildlife agency before you fish.

Build a complete bass setup

Answer five short questions and get a complete setup: rod length, power and action, reel size, main line, leader and hook, each with the reasoning behind it.

Build my setup

Reference charts

Fishing Hook Size ChartEvery size from #28 to 12/0 with what each one is used for, and why the same number differs between brands.
Fishing Reel Size ChartSpinning, baitcasting, conventional and fly reel classes with typical line capacity and what each size is for.
Fishing Line Size ChartPound test against typical diameter for mono, fluorocarbon and braid, and how to compare them fairly.
Fishing Rod Size GuideWhat length, power and action each control, and how to read the specs printed on a blank.

Other species

Species information here describes general behavior and habitat across the species' US range. Local populations differ; your state fish and wildlife agency is the authority on regulations and on the fishery in front of you. How we build recommendations.