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How to Catch Bass in the Rain
Learning how to catch bass in the rain starts with understanding why wet weather changes fish behavior. Rain reduces visibility and disturbs the water’s surface, making bass less cautious and more willing to feed aggressively. Because of this, rainy conditions often create some of the best bass fishing opportunities of the season. Many anglers avoid fishing when the forecast calls for rain. Experienced anglers know steady rain can flip the feeding switch for bass. Why Rain Makes Bass More Aggressive Rain changes how bass hunt. When raindrops hit the surface, they break up light penetration and reduce underwater visibility. This helps bass ambush prey because baitfish have a harder time seeing predators approach. Rain also washes insects, worms, and small prey into the water from nearby banks. These natural food sources attract baitfish, which in turn attract bass. One of the best places to look during rain is where runoff enters the lake. Mud lines and inflowing creeks often concentrate feeding activity. Why Bass Move Shallow During Rain Rain often pushes bass closer to the bank. With reduced visibility and new food sources washing into the water, shallow areas suddenly become feeding zones. Focus on areas where food is being pushed into the lake: Rocky banks Riprap shorelines Grass edges Dock lines A squarebill crankbait like the Banger is extremely effective here because it can be retrieved parallel to the bank while deflecting off cover. Those sudden deflections imitate fleeing prey and often trigger strikes. Reaction Baits Work Best in Rainy Conditions Rain usually activates bass. When fish are feeding aggressively, reaction baits allow you to cover water quickly and locate active fish. Two of the most productive options include: Spinnerbaits Crankbaits Spinnerbaits are especially effective because they combine vibration, flash, and weedless design. Bass can detect the blade vibration even in stained water created by runoff. Retrieve them steadily along cover, grass edges, or shallow flats. The goal is to move fast enough to trigger reaction strikes. Why Topwater Can Be Deadly in the Rain Throwing topwater during a rainstorm might seem unusual, but it can be extremely effective. Rain disturbs the water surface, which helps hide the splash of your lure landing. This allows bass to approach and strike without hesitation. A walking bait like the Googan Squad Hound creates enough surface disturbance to stand out even through the rain. Target areas where bass trap baitfish: Shallow pockets Dock edges Grass lines Incoming water from creeks or drains These locations often hold the most aggressive bass during rainy conditions. Fishing the Mud Line After Heavy Rain When rain runoff enters a lake, it often creates a visible line where dirty water meets clearer water. This edge is called a mud line. Mud lines can concentrate feeding bass because baitfish gather there to feed on insects and organic material washed into the water. Position your casts along this transition zone and retrieve your lure across the color change. Bass often sit right on that edge waiting to ambush prey. Staying Safe While Fishing in the Rain Rain can improve fishing, but safety always comes first. Steady rain from a passing weather system is usually manageable. Thunderstorms with lightning are dangerous and should be avoided. If you see lightning or hear thunder: Leave the water immediately Wait until conditions stabilize Return only after the storm has clearly passed The best rain fishing often occurs just before or after a front moves through. If You Remember One Thing About Bass Fishing in the Rain Rain improves bass fishing because it reduces visibility, moves food into the water, and makes bass more confident predators. Focus on shallow cover, runoff areas, and reaction baits that help you cover water quickly. When conditions are wet and steady, bass often feed more aggressively than they do on calm bluebird days.
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How to Fish Crankbaits for Bass (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
To fish crankbaits for bass, choose a bait that runs at the right depth and make it hit cover. Crankbaits trigger reaction strikes through vibration and sudden deflection. If your bait is not making contact with something, you are usually not in the right zone. Crankbaits are search tools. They help you find active fish fast. Why Crankbaits Trigger Reaction Strikes Crankbaits create vibration that bass can feel through their lateral line. They do not give fish much time to think. When a crankbait moves quickly through a bass’s strike window, instinct takes over. The key moment is deflection. When your crankbait hits rock, wood, or grass and kicks off to the side, it looks like a fleeing baitfish. That sudden change in direction often triggers the bite. Where to Throw Crankbaits Crankbaits work best where they can hit something. Focus on: Rocky banks and riprap Laydowns and submerged wood Grass edges Dock posts Points and transitions Avoid fishing long stretches of flat, featureless water. If your crankbait is not ticking cover or bottom, adjust your casting angle or change depth. Contact equals confidence. Choosing the Right Crankbait Depth Depth matters more than color most days. Shallow crankbaits like the Banger are ideal for fishing tight to the bank, around wood, and over shallow cover. The squarebill design helps it deflect cleanly and reduce hang-ups. Mid-depth crankbaits like the Klutch reach deeper zones and maintain strong vibration. They shine when bass are positioned off the bank or along submerged structure. Pick the crankbait that runs just deep enough to make bottom contact. That is the sweet spot. How to Retrieve a Crankbait Properly Keep it simple. Start with a steady retrieve. Let the bait dig and make contact naturally. Then mix in: Brief pauses Small speed changes A quick rod pop after hitting cover Do not try to steer around obstacles. Let the bait crash into them and work its way free. Most bites happen right after deflection. When to Throw a Crankbait Crankbaits are strongest when: Bass are feeding actively Wind is pushing bait to banks or points You need to cover water quickly Fish are spread out and not locked on one piece of cover They are not finesse baits. They are tools for efficiency and reaction. If you get multiple bites in one area, slow down and pick it apart. If not, keep moving. If You Remember One Thing Crankbaits are about depth and contact. Match the bait to the depth, hit cover on purpose, and let deflection trigger the strike. When you stop trying to avoid structure and start fishing into it, crankbait fishing gets a lot more productive.
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Best Topwater Baits for Summer Bass
The best topwater baits for summer bass are frogs, buzzbaits, and walking baits. These lures trigger aggressive surface strikes when bass are feeding shallow early, late, or around heavy cover. In warm water, bass are willing to come up and crush a bait if it moves right. Summer is when surface fishing gets loud. If you understand where bass set up and match the right bait to the cover, topwater stops feeling random and starts feeling predictable. Why Topwater Works So Well in Summer Warm water raises a bass’s metabolism. They eat more often and are comfortable sitting shallow, especially around shade and cover. Bass often suspend just under the surface near grass, docks, or laydowns. When something moves across the top, they do not have to chase far. They just explode upward. That short, violent strike is what makes summer topwater special. Where to Throw Topwater in the Summer Location matters more than lure color. Focus on areas that give bass: Shade Ambush points Quick access to deeper water High-percentage spots include: Grass edges and matted vegetation Boat docks and walkways Overhanging trees Shallow flats near drop-offs If a fish can move up one or two feet and eat, that is a topwater opportunity. Frog Baits for Heavy Cover When bass are buried in grass or under mats, you need something weedless. The Filthy Frog is built for that job. You can walk it across pads, drag it over mats, and pause it in openings without hanging up. Work it with short twitches. Pause in holes. Most bites happen when the frog stops. Wait until you feel the weight before setting the hook. Buzzbaits for Covering Water Fast When fish are actively feeding, a buzzbait lets you find them quickly. The Hummer is perfect along: Grass lines Shallow banks Flats with scattered cover Keep your rod tip up and reel just fast enough to keep the blade churning. If a fish misses it, keep reeling. Often they will come back and finish it. Walking Baits for Open Water and Edges In open water or along the edge of cover, walking baits shine. The Dead Man Walking creates a side-to-side action that draws fish from a distance. Use a steady walk-the-dog cadence. Mix in pauses when fish are following but not committing. This bait is deadly on calm mornings and evenings when bass are cruising shallow. When the Summer Topwater Bite Is Strongest Low light is your best window. Early morning and late evening consistently produce the most surface activity. However, topwater can last longer when: Cloud cover rolls in There is light wind The water has some stain Those conditions make bass feel more secure near the surface. Common Summer Topwater Mistakes Hooksets are where most anglers lose fish. Do not swing at the splash. Wait until you feel the fish, then set the hook with control. Another mistake is fishing one speed all day. If fish are short striking, slow down. If they are aggressive, cover more water. Adjust instead of abandoning the pattern. What It Really Comes Down To Topwater in summer is not luck. If you remember one thing, remember this. Find shallow cover. Fish low-light windows. Match the bait to the situation. Frog for heavy cover. Buzzbait to locate fish. Walking bait for open water edges. Do that, and you will get the blowups everyone waits for all year.
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How to Follow Shad Migration for Fall Bass Fishing
Fall bass fishing improves dramatically when you understand one key pattern. Bass follow shad and other baitfish as they move from the main lake into creeks and shallow coves. Learning how to follow the shad migration helps you stay around feeding bass throughout the entire fall season. When water temperatures begin to cool, baitfish start moving shallow. Bass simply follow their food. If you stay around the bait, you stay around the bass. Where Bass Go During the Fall Migration Early in the fall, bass often remain scattered near main lake points and the mouths of creeks. As water continues cooling, baitfish move farther into creek arms and protected coves. Bass follow that movement. A few signs help confirm you are around active bait: Small groups of shad flickering near the surface Baitfish dimpling or jumping Birds feeding over the water Sudden surface activity from feeding bass When you see baitfish activity near the back of a creek, bass are usually close by. Fast Moving Baits Help Locate Fall Bass Fall bass are usually willing to chase. That makes reaction baits extremely effective for locating fish quickly. A soft paddle tail like the Saucy Swimmer is one of the best tools for covering water and mimicking the shad bass are feeding on. Another strong option is the Klutch lipless crankbait. Its vibration and rattle imitate a panicked baitfish and help trigger reaction strikes. Once you locate a school, slow down and work the area carefully. A compact jig like the Juicee Jig is perfect for picking off fish that stay near cover after the aggressive ones bite. It gives bass a slower meal after they stop chasing reaction baits. Start by covering water quickly until you locate a group of fish. Once bites begin, slow down and work the area more carefully. Creek Channel Turns That Hold More Bass Not every section of a creek holds the same number of fish. Bass often gather where something changes along the bottom or shoreline. Some of the most productive spots include: Creek channel bends Channel swings near shallow flats Where two coves intersect Points along the creek channel These intersections funnel baitfish and create natural feeding zones. If your electronics show the creek channel moving close to shallow structure, slow down and fish that area carefully. Adjusting as Fall Progresses As water temperatures continue to drop later in fall, the baitfish movement begins to slow. Some shad begin to weaken and drift in deeper water. Bass become slightly less aggressive and start targeting easy prey. During this transition, suspending baits like the Scout jerkbait become very effective. A twitch and pause retrieve mimics a struggling baitfish. Longer pauses often trigger strikes as water temperatures drop. Don't Ignore the Bank in the Fall One common mistake during fall is focusing only on deeper water. In many lakes, bass will push shad extremely shallow during feeding windows. Early morning and evening are prime times for this pattern. Bass may trap baitfish against: Grass edges Rock banks Dock lines Shallow points A topwater bait like the Googan Squad Hound can be very effective in these situations. Walking it across the surface imitates a separated baitfish struggling near the surface. If You Remember One Thing About Fall Bass Fishing Fall bass fishing becomes much easier when you stop searching randomly and start following the bait. Find the shad first, and bass will usually be nearby. Move with the baitfish, cover water with reaction baits, and pay attention to creek channels and feeding activity. When you stay around the bait migration, fall can become one of the most productive bass fishing seasons of the entire year.
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Fishing, The Googan Way.
At Googan Squad, we take fishing seriously, without taking the fun out of it. Our products are made through real-world testing and shaped by years on the water. Whether you’re chasing your first bass or your personal best, we’re here to make sure you’re equipped with gear you can trust.
