Professional bass angler George Cochran of Hot Springs, Ark., says bass change. He says these fish are always evolving in terms of getting used to certain lures and presentations. They also figure out how not to get caught! Cochran says lures and techniques that worked 20 years ago aren't so good now. This is why it's important for fishermen to keep up with new baits and ways to use them. He believes that to catch more bass, many anglers would benefit from "out with the old, in with the new."

 

Cochran should know. He's fished professionally for over 30 years. He's won two Bass Masters Classics, the FLW Championship and other national titles. He's "been around the block" long enough to have a good feel for what it takes to get these fish to cooperate.

Cochran believes heavy fishing pressure teaches bass to avoid lures they encounter all the time. This is why he says that, to outpace the competition, bass fishermen must change their tactics to show the fish something they're not used to seeing.

He explains, "I used to be able to take spinnerbaits and go anywhere in the U. S. and catch fish anytime of the year. You can't do that anymore. Spinnerbaits are still very good, but you have to let the weather and water conditions dictate when you use'em.

"The hot trend now is finesse fishing. That's the biggest part of bass fishing that's the most consistent. I don't care if you're on a lake in Tennessee, Texas or Minnesota, if it's got a lot of fishing pressure, the best way to catch bass there now is using light line, Shaky Head worms - little stuff. Finesse-type lures and techniques are the keys to catching more fish nowadays."

So, take George Cochran's advice, and if you're having trouble getting bass to bite, downsize your tackle and bait size, and try a finesse approach. Bass that turn their noses up at bigger, more active lures will more likely pounce on a little, helpless-looking bait. It's just a matter of offering them something that they don't identify as a threat.