Bass fishing is more than just catching a fish. Its about catching a prized big bass and having the opportunity to show it off. For beginners, theres lots more to bass fishing than meets the eye.

Do you know what the top three lures for catching bass are? Professional bass fishermen were surveyed and it was found that plastic worms came first followed by spinner bait and then crank bait.

However, choosing one of these three lures is not enough. Some other factors are still needed to be considered. You need to consider if its better to cover a smaller segment of water thoroughly or skim across a larger area as quickly as possible to find fish. Using a worm is a slow but effective way to catch bass.

The problem that usually arises when fishing with a worm is the inability to sense strikes. Usually the inability to sense them is due to a sinker that is too heavy and a line that is too thick.

To help overcome this problem its a good idea to use a variable buoyancy worm using lead strip sinkers. To find out how much lead strip is needed, wrap one strip around the hook and bury the barb in the worm. Ease it into the water and watch it sink; it should barely settle toward the bottom. If it sinks too fast, take some off, et cetera. Be sure to use a maximum eight-pound mono line - preferably six-pound.

On the other hand, a spinner bait can move quicker across the surface and can bounce on the bottom, sent against a tree limb and moved in lots of different ways in order to stimulate strikes. Its also a great probing lure for the shoreline because of its tangle-free construction.

Finally, crank baits cover a lot of water quickly. When you use them you can check out a spot without wasting a lot of time. Theyre handy for locating scattered fish.

The most important thing is, no matter what lure you select for the particular lake that youre fishing, you need to make it as easy as possible for the bass to get it. Drop that lure right in front of them. Scientific research has shown that bass calculate the amount of energy it will take them to go after their prey.

Aside from using the correct lure, its also important to go bass fishing at the right time. Big bass can be brought in during dawn and dusk. Bass love ambush spots offering lots of cover from the bait fish. Bass like to hide and pounce on their prey.

Early morning or evening are when bait fish are most active. Bass follow and pounce on bait fish when they feed, so go fishing during these times for the best success.

When retrieving an underwater lure in poor light, keep it coming at a steady pace once its moving. This will make it easier for the bass to locate and grab it.

Don't bother going out in the dawn or dusk when water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature wipes out certain bass prey so there wont be much chance of catching a bass.

Lures and bass fishing at the right time are some of the factors that must be taken into account when bass fishing. Other factors such as the right water quality and weather conditions are also necessary for you to catch a prize bass!