Bass Fishing originated roughly in the mid 18th century. It was primarity thought that fishing for bass in these times was for food and not recreation. It was in 1768 that bass fishing became a sport.

There are many different ways to catch a bass. Here are just a few of the most popular methods.

Live Bait Fishing

There is live bait fishing, with popular baits being worms, wild shiners and shad which are considered by some fishing experts to be the easiest way to catch that big bass. Care needs to be taken not to kill the bait and fish will strike at bait that looks healthy and normal rather than bait that can barely move.

Spinner Fishing

Using lures is very popular amongst bass fisherman. The best time to use lures are first thing in the morning or late at night. Using lures will require patience to find the right type at the right fishing spot. One thing to remember with spinnerbait is that the darker the water you're fishing in, the brighter the spinner should be.

Plug Fishing

Plugs are another type of bass lure and there are many different types. Some are for the surface and other are to catch deep swimming bass. Because bass are a predator and eat most of their food alive, some say that certain plugs are the best way to catch them other than live bait because the ones that give off vibrations and make sound look as life-like as something alive that the bass would eat.

Soft baits

This is soft rubber bait that comes in various shapes and forms, with matching sizes and colors. These are commonly used for sea and fresh water fishing, which can be used on a weighted jig head handled in the same manner as the jerk bait, being managed as a plug is used.

Jerk baits

Having no movement of its own when in the water, the angler gives life to this lure; whenever the rod trembles or shakes or jerks, this lure can appear to have life. This lure for the most part, mimics an injured or wounded fish that the prey fish find tempting, and be compelled to thrust or lunge at.

The two biggest bass fishing tournaments in the US are the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and the Wal-Mart FLW Tour which has a first prize of one million dollars.