We live in the greatest nation in the world. With all of its lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans, we have the best fishing country on the planet.

Bass fishing has quickly become the #1 sport fishing in america today there with more men, women and children taking up the sport of bass fishing then any other species in the world. The home range of the bass is spread throughout the united states with only Alaska being the sole state where the black bass family of fish have no proliferation.

Bass fishing in the country can be as different as golfing a different course every day. While it's true that a bass is a bass, there are certainly different characteristics of a bass from New York to one in California. And while both are bass, they tend to have different likes and dislikes depending on thier geographic homeland. Fishing for them is quite different as well.

Bass fishing in New York for example generally does not require the use of lures much bigger than 8 inches. Travel down south 1200 miles to Florida and a 12-15 inch minnow is the lure of choice for most serious big bass enthusiasts. Travel 3000 miles to the west and hit the San Deigo California area and 15-20 inch rubber swim baits in a rainbow trout pattern are the choice there.

Sure we can go to Florida, California, and New York and use the same patterns we use on our home waters and catch a few bass, maybe even a few large ones too, but the bass in one part of the country generally do not act like bass from another part of the country. They live on different forages, relate to their environments differently, and often they are not where you would think they should be.

As bass fisherman we tend to believe that if a bass is holding on a weed bed in mid june in NY that it would be the same pattern at the same time in Florida, but that's not the case in practice. Many bass begin spawning as early as febuary in the west, whereas in NY the bass spawn from may to july in some of the more northern parts of the state. A bass is still a bass though. They are opportunistic feeders and if something is presented to them at the right moment that appears to be something they can eat, chances are you will catch them.

Knowing the different patterns and elements surrounding the location where you will be fishing will greatly increase your chances of success. A great way to learn about foreign waters before heading out to another state or location would be to join the various on-line forums like the one right here at realbass.com.

As our membership steadily grows you will be able to interact and ask questions as well as interract with members throughout the country, and with this powerful resource within your reach at anytime from anywhere, chances are your next bass fishing outting will be a great success!

Mike Panek