Bass Fishing 10 Day Outlook - December 12, 2024

December 12, 2024 Bass Fishing Update 🎣

Bass fishing fanatics! Dive in and explore all three 10-day Bass Fishing Outlook heat maps below. Make sure you don’t miss it — scroll down to check out the latest Bass Season and Bass High Wind maps to stay ahead of the game. Know-Adapt-Catch^® more Bass.

10 day bass fishing outlook for this week

Full moon is December 15 and a warming trend is going to create some GOOD and even EPIC conditions days (for this time of year) on the West Coast and in the South & Southeast. If you're a “Yankee” heading south for the holidays, a great way to motivate a family member to take you bass fishing is to tell them to get the BassForecast app and take a look at how Sunday and next week look to sneak in a little pre-holiday bass fishing.

If you are jonesing to bass fish and can sneak out, check your BassForecast App for best bet days. Remember, this time of year, the bite will be best in mid afternoon as the water warms slightly throughout the day.

BassForecast Rating (BFR):

The BassForecast Rating (BFR) is an advanced predictive system that analyzes over 11,000 real-time data variables, including past and forecasted weather conditions, water parameters, solunar, bass industry intel, and known bass biology. By synthesizing this extensive data, the BFR generates a comprehensive 1-10 rating a predictive indicator of bass feeding behavior from EPIC (relatively high activity) to SLOW. You can find your local bass fishing forecast details inside the BassForecast mobile app.

BassForecast App Tip: 

Over 1.5 million+ BassForecast anglers have used these tips to boost catch rates during the cooler season.

1. DO NOT rely on “what worked yesterday”. It's not a solid strategy. The trickiest part of figuring out the bite in bass fishing is that patterns can change daily based on the weather, thus changing the feeding behavior of bass. Use the BassForecast app feature Adapted Patterns® to help adapt your strategy in real time. BassForecast Adapted Patterns® has predicted the winning pattern in 86% of top flight bass fishing tournaments 7 to 10 days before the tournament began.  

2. Select best odds days up to 10 days in advance by getting BassForecast PRO inside the app. While there's no ‘guarantee’ of success on any single outing, double blind research has shown that season long average catch rates during GOOD/EPIC rated days are 68% to 305% higher than the average. Fisheries biologist research has also proven that bigger bass are caught during GOOD/EPIC days due to proactive vs reactive feeding behavior.

3. NO MATTER WHEN YOU GO, the BFR combined with the Seasonal Pattern (see map below) guides the 3 key elements of a successful bass catching pattern: 1. Baits to use. 2. Best bet fish feeding locations. 3. Best bet presentation speed.

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Top Bait Recommendation Overview

The success of each bait will depend on where you fish it, how you present it, having the right rod, reel, and line set-up, and even your hook-setting technique. Use the BassForecast app to view best bet lake locations for each day and how to use each bait most effectively. Click on the bait recommended and you will be able to see 5 different, short (30 to 90 seconds each) vids with everything you need to know to fish each bait like a boss!

Tough / Fair Rated Days

Based on the BassForecast AI - Weather forecast and seasonal bass pattern intel.

SLOW or FAIR (1-5 rating) - Here are the baits to fish when BFR is showing Tough or Slow (1-5 rating).

BassForecast App Tip: If you have a 1-5 BFR day inside the BassForecast app be sure to see the exact baits for your location by navigating to Top Baits. View all 5 baits adjusted for cover type (weed, wood, rock) with additional details of how to fish effectively for landing bigger winter bass.

1. Spybait

   Spybait – Great when targeting suspending fish that feeding on small bait fish. When it’s recommended in the app, you can click on it to see 5 very short (30 to 90 second) videos on how to use it to increase catch rates in tough conditions.

2. Ned Rig

   Ned Rig – The Ultimate finesse bait to get bit when all else fails. Just cast and slow drag it back to you.

3. JerkBait

   Suspending Jerkbait - Select a Jerkbait that you can work a few feet above the fish. If you do not have a fish finder, try both a standard and deep diving version.  Cover lots of water in and around the backs of creeks, steep banks and points with a jerk, jerk pause cadence. Try increasing or decreasing the time between pauses until you find a pattern that bass respond to.

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Good / Epic Rated Days

Based on the BassForecast AI - Weather forecast and seasonal bass pattern intel.

GOOD / EPIC (6-10 rating) - Here are the baits to fish when BFR is showing Good or Epic (6-10 rating).

BassForecast App Tip: If you have a 6-10 BFR day inside the BassForecast app, it means fish will likely be actively feeding on accessible prey. Fish the baits to cover more water in the pockets where bait fish are congregating. Be sure to have these top 3 baits in your arsenal. See all 5 baits adjusted for cover type (weed, wood, rock) in the BassForecast Mobile App.

1. Swimbait

   Swimbait – These come in 2 main varieties (Hard Plastic, Soft Plastic Hollow Bodied and Soft Plastic Paddletail). They are easy to learn. But, also very easy to fish incorrectly - most people do. They catch bigger than average fish so get up to speed on them and you will be happy you did.

2. Bladed Jig

   Bladed Jig - A versatile bait that triggers strikes with its erratic action built in. Trailers can be tricky. The right ones get more bites, the wrong ones mess up the triggering action of the bait.

3. Spinnerbait

   Slow Rolled Spinnerbait – Another versatile bait that can be fished with a variety of blade sizes and retrieves including bumping cover to trigger strikes since the wire helps prevent snags.  Ideal for mimicking bait fish, retrieve steadily and add pauses near structure like rocks or weed edges to entice strikes.

BassForecast App Tip: If you have a 6-10 BFR day inside the BassForecast app be sure to view all 5 baits adjusted for cover type (weed, wood, rock) with additional details of how to fish effectively for landing bigger winter bass — changing conditions could affect the ratings or bait recommendations! These baits are must-haves for your tackle box. If you’re missing any, you can grab them here.

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Bass Season Forecast & Bass High Wind Forecast:

Plan your next fishing trip with confidence! These Bass Season and High Wind maps are must-see tools for staying ahead of changing conditions and boosting your chances of landing more bass.

Get out there and make the most of the changing conditions this week!

Overview:

Most of the nation is in a full-blown Winter seasonal bass fishing pattern. The southern most states are on the cusp. A slight warming trend in the South to Southeast beginning early next week will be creating a reversal of the Winter Pattern to a Late Fall Pattern. Our best advice for all anglers in the South is to use the seasonal toggle feature in the app to view both patterns and plan your baits to have on hand to account for both possible bass seasons in play (Winter and Late Fall). 

Bass Fanatics, if you are going to fish mid next week or next weekend during the nasty weather, Tackle Warehouse has a huge selection of outwear from head to toe of every thing you need and can get it to you in time.

Jacket - Wind and wetness are good for the fish, not for you. Stay dry and warm with a waterproof and windproof jacket.

Bib - Fishing in rough weather can cause discomfort that distracts from the task at hand. Stay dry and comfortable so you don't have to cut your day short.

Hat - Keep your head warm so you can think straight and catch more fish.

Gloves - A necessary accessory to keep your hands performing at their best. Look for gloves constructed with water and wind proof fabrics so your hands stay dry and protected, these gloves are packed full of features to give you the edge on Mother Nature.

Boots - Look for waterproof boots that are built to guarantee comfort in even the harshest conditions. Focus on fishing, not fatigue.

Check out the new winter gear they have over there

If you are a BassForecast PRO member, and still have not redeemed your $20 Tackle Warehouse Gift Card, now is the time.  It's in your app on your profile page.  Just click on the little gift box icon in the app 🎁

Tight lines and happy fishing!

Stay ahead of the seasonal shifts, and make the most of these prime bass fishing days. Don't forget to check the BassForecast app for all the latest insights to keep your trips productive.

Here’s to reeling in some big ones for the holiday!