Young Australian Bass, much like the adults, chase after pretty much anything they can get in their mouth. They are the gluttons of the bass world and are far less picky than other fish with the bass nameplate.

 

As one angler once put it, “Australian Bass eat anything that comes within range and will feed until the food is hanging out of their mouth”. The only other bass that fits the binge feeder profile is the Striped Bass.

 

However after binging they tend to relax for a while until hungry again and can only be provoked into striking against a lure to defend their territory.

Best Lure Colors

When Australian Bass are in an aggressive frame of mind, the best colors to use to attract their attention are greens and blues.

Avoid these colors for a better success rate

Colors to stay away from include yellows and golds.

 

Keep in mind that these are generalizations and based on suggestions from experimental studies. But there is good reason to follow these suggestions as the most successful anglers fish the numbers and not the exceptions.

 

We also recommend paying attention to the depth at which you run your lure and bait as color fades with increased depth. Night fishing requires using different techniques as color has no effect. Click here for more information on Night Techniques

Not Picky Eaters

As we’ve said, young Australian Bass will eat whatever they can. However they do have a preference for plankton and insects. Despite preferring small fish Australian Bass are not picky eaters and will adapt to their habitat.

 

To avoid wasting time catching juvenile Australian Bass, right size your bait and lures as they tend to only strike at those baits and lures they can get in their mouth.

 

Like most fish with the bass name plate, Australian Bass tend to avoid brightly lit areas during the day, sticking to shady, covered areas either by the shore or near and in underwater obstructions.

Low Light Feeding

Color differentiation is rendered ineffective under low light conditions. Avoid those techniques based on color in these conditions. As Australian Bass are best caught in low light conditions, use those techniques based on color and those that are based on attracting fishing during the day.

 

The best techniques to use in low-light conditions focus on understanding and knowing where the bass can be found such as around sunken logs, river banks and even when they venture into open water, they do so with the purpose seeking out prey.

How to catch Australian Bass – the 4 keys

  1. Use those techniques that cause the Australian Bass to attack out of a sense of defending their territory by landing the bait or lure near them
  2. The use of a fish finder could prove very useful
  3. Be careful of noise as they are more sensitive to sudden noises at night
  4. The use of reflective lures are highly effective at night and offer the best chance of success

Seasonal Feeding

Australian Bass food preferences change with the season and relative abundance of minnows and other common baitfish, insects and worms for any particular season. Again what’s important to note here is that Australian Bass are not picky eaters. There are over 140 different types of food in their diet.

 

Pretty much any bass lure or bait will work with these fish. Fishing without any knowledge of preferred foods won’t prevent you from catching them or even make it more difficult as they will strike at anything. But it will provide you with an advantage over someone of similar angling skill.

They have Changing Tastes

Preferred foods are not constant across their distribution and change from area to area. This answer is not intended to be vague. Knowing the best techniques to catch fish of any type, the time of day to catch them, preferred lures and colors helps but are all generalisations aimed at a species as a whole. Those who are truly successful are able to adapt these techniques to a particular locale.

 

Let me explain simply. Upstream locales that have a high insect count in the spring work better than bait fish. Other locales that see baitfish spawning in high numbers during the spring will work far better than others. The best way to get this information is from local lodges and bait shops.

 

Before embarking on a long fishing trip, make a call to a local lodge and ask a few question so that you bring the right gear with you.

  • Keep in mind that the Australian Bass is a sight feeder during the day and takes food from the surface, in the water column and off the bottom. It often feeds in schools near shore, close to vegetation.