Bass Fishing Glossary

A location where bass hide and wait to attack prey.

A tangle that occurs when the line overruns the spool on a baitcasting reel.

Can refer to any artificial lure or live offering used to catch fish.

Small, natural prey fish like minnows and shad that are a primary food source for larger predatory fish like bass.

A commonly used synonym for a casting reel.

Targeting bass when they are shallow on their spawning beds.

When a fish breaches the surface of the water on baitfish or a topwater lure.

Landing a fish by swinging it directly into the boat with your rod rather than using a net.

A change in depth or contour that can hold fish.

A type of fishing reel that’s mounted on top of a rod, with a revolving spool that provides power and precision. Ideal for casting heavier lures and power fishing techniques. Unlike spinning reels, anglers control line flow using their thumb and must adjust the reel's brake settings to prevent backlash.

A narrow area that funnels baitfish and attracts predators.

A sudden drop in temperature that often slows the bite.

A lure an angler trusts and fishes most effectively.

Anything that provides shade or protection for bass, including weeds, docks, stumps, rocks, vegetation, etc.

Also known as a crayfish or crawfish, refers to an artificial lure that imitates crustaceans which is a primary food source for bass.

A submerged stream bed within a lake that serves as a bass highway.

A tree, rock, man-made structure, or object that slows or deflects water flow, and often holds fish.

Offshore features like humps, rocks, trees, or ledges that attract bass.

A small whirlpool or calm area, often forming behind an obstruction like a rock or log, which creates a calmer, slower-moving pool. An eddy can be a prime spot for fishing as it allows predatory fish to rest and ambush prey without expending energy fighting the current.

Casting in a wide spread pattern to cover water more efficiently.

A specific time or set of conditions during the day when bass are actively feeding.

Using light line and subtle presentations to entice pressured fish.

Short, precise presentations to cover in close quarters.

A soft plastic worm with a high buoyancy that allows it to float toward the surface.

A food source for bass in a body of water. Forage can represent shad, crawdads, bluegill, insects, frogs, or anything else that bass are eating.

Indicates the number of times the spool rotates for every one full turn of the handle. A higher gear ratio means the spool spins faster, which allows for quicker line retrieval, while a lower ratio translates to added cranking power for slower retrieves or fighting larger fish.

Slang for a fishfinder or sonar unit.

A general term for a hard-bodied lure, including crankbaits, jerkbaits, spoons, spy baits, blade baits, tail spinners, and more.

The violent shaking of a bass’s head when hooked.

The act of driving the hook into a fish’s mouth.

The percentage of bites that result in a fish being successfully hooked.

A common submerged aquatic plant that provides bass habitat.

A weighted hook often dressed with a silicone skirt and soft plastic trailer.

The largest fish in tournament anglers 5-bass weigh bag.

A fallen tree lying in the water that provides cover.

An additional section of line that’s tied between the mainline and lure. Fluorocarbon leaders are used to reduce visibility, while monofilament leaders can act as a “shock leader” for added stretch and improved hook-up ratios.

When fishing line coils and tangles due to improper spooling or lure spin.

A tank or compartment in a boat used to keep caught fish alive.

An artificial bait made of plastic, rubber, metal, or wood, designed to imitate the appearance and movement of natural prey like fish, insects, or crawfish.

The primary fishing line that is spooled directly onto the reel.

A rubber ring used to rig wacky worms, hold the hook securely, and reduce torn-up soft baits.

Fishing away from the shoreline, often targeting deeper structure.

Tree branches or vegetation extending over the water.

A repeatable set of conditions or bass tactics where bass are consistently found.

A casting technique for close, quiet presentations.

General term for soft baits like worms, craws, or creature baits.

Slang term for a crankbait or hard-bodied lure.

An aggressive, fast-paced bass fishing style.

When bass strike out of instinct or surprise, typically associated with moving baits.

The act of reeling in a lure with various speeds or cadences.

A loose layer of man-made rock that attracts baitfish and bass.

Refers to the overall strength rating or backbone of a rod. From ultralight to XXX-heavy. Heavier power rods are used for heavier lures, stronger hook sets, and fighting large fish, while lighter power rods are geared for smaller lures and finesse presentations.

Moving quickly between multiple spots to find active fish.

Groups of bass chasing bait together.

Targeting fish that are visible in clear water, or bedding in the shallows.

Skimming a bait across the surface to reach under docks or overhanging cover.

Soft baits are made from a flexible synthetic material that's molded into many shapes that imitate worms, craws, bluegill, or baitfish.

A fishing reel that mounts below the rod and features a fixed spool with an open-faced design. Uses a bail to release the line and a spinning rotor to wind it back onto the spool. Spinning reels are versatile, easy to use, and effective at casting light lures, making them popular for finesse fishing and with anglers of all skill levels.

The part of a fishing reel that holds the fishing line.

The physical features of the bottom of the lake or river, including rock piles, contours, and humps.

Fish holding off the bottom or around cover in mid-water.

A general term that refers to all types of fishing equipment.

Lures that float or create action on the surface of the water.

An additional hook that’s commonly added to the shank of a buzzbait or spinnerbait to improve hook-up rates with short-striking or uncommitted fish.

The sonar device that sends and receives sonar signals to display an image of what’s beneath the surface.

A swimbait jighead with a small blade attached underneath that adds flash and attraction to soft plastic swimbaits.

Presenting a lure straight down below the boat.

A side-to-side, slashing topwater retrieve motion that mimics a distressed or fleeing baitfish.

The bristles located above the hook on a jig used to prevent snagging.

A rubber peg or plastic stopper that’s used to hold a sinker in place or limit the distance it can travel down the line.

A soft-plastic artificial lure designed to mimic a real worm, typically associated with finesse fishing.