Australian bass are one of those tricky fish species that'll have you working for every bite one minute, then suddenly switch on and have you scrambling for the net the next. That's a big part of what makes chasing them in stocked impoundments so much fun. You're constantly piecing together where the fish are sitting, what they're feeding on and which lure is going to get the job done.
Bass fishing is all about putting the pieces together. A light rod and reel outfit, a few proven lure styles and a willingness to keep changing things up until you find what works — that's how you crack the bass code. When it comes to freshwater fishing, Australia has options coming out its ears, with stocked impoundments found across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. So, if you're keen to catch bass, there's a fair chance a productive dam isn't too far away.
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Start by Finding the Right Water
Before worrying too much about lure colour or retrieve speed, start with where you're fishing. Australian bass love structure, and stocked impoundments can be absolutely choc-a-block with it. Shallow weed beds, standing timber, fallen trees, rocky edges and submerged snags can all provide places for bass to hold and ambush their prey.
When you first hit the water, it pays to explore a few different areas rather than committing to one spot straight away. Shallow bays and weed edges are a great starting point, particularly when fish are active in shallow water around the margins. If that doesn't produce, moving deeper or working more heavily structured water can help narrow things down.
The aim is to paint a picture of where the bass are sitting on the day. In many stocked dams and weirs, you may also come across other native species such as golden perch, so keeping an eye on what's happening around bait and structure can make for some pretty interesting fishing experiences.
Carry a Few Different Lure Styles
One of the best things about bass fishing is the variety of lures you can use to catch them. Rather than trying to cover every possible option, carrying a small selection that fishes different depths will give you plenty to work with.
Soft Plastics
Small paddle-tail soft plastics around the 2 to 3-inch mark are a cracking all-round option. Rigged on an appropriately weighted jig head, they can be slow rolled along weed edges, worked through open water or fished alongside timber. Their subtle tail action means you don't have to put much effort in to bring them to life.
Hardbody Lures
Shallow-running hardbodies are handy when bass are sitting around weed beds, rocky banks or other shallow structure. They allow you to cover water efficiently while keeping the lure running at the right depth, just above the snags.
Surface Lures
When bass are actively feeding around shallow margins, surface lures can be super productive. Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal times to throw walkers, poppers and other topwater presentations around weed edges, timber and overhanging cover. Keep an eye out for nervous bait, small fish flicking on the surface or the odd bass boofing in the shallows — they're all good signs that it might be worth sending a surface lure their way.
Blades and Lipless Crankbaits
When the fish are sitting deeper, blades come into their own. They sink quickly, throw plenty of vibration and can be worked vertically or cast across deeper sections of the impoundment.
Metal Jigs
For seriously deep water, a metal jig can be an efficient way to get a lure straight down to fish showing well below the boat. Having those different options means you can adapt rather than trying to make one lure do everything.
Match Your Lure to the Depth
Instead of choosing a lure because it worked last trip, choose it based on where the bass are sitting. If fish are holding around shallow weed, a hardbody, surface lure or lightly weighted plastic may be the better option. If they're hanging well beneath the boat, something heavier that reaches them quickly is going to make more sense.
It sounds simple, but getting your lure into the right part of the water column is half the battle. There's not much point throwing a shallow-running lure over bass sitting 20 metres down, just as a heavy jig isn't always the answer when fish are feeding around the edges. Work out the depth first, then pick the lure that's going to spend the most time in the strike zone.
Fish Tight to Structure
When bass are sitting tight to timber or weed, "close enough" isn't necessarily close enough. Often the best casts are the ones that put your lure right beside the structure. That might mean landing a plastic virtually on the weed edge, casting between standing trees or running a lure past the base of a submerged snag. It comes with a bit more risk, but that's normally where you'll find the better fish sitting.
Once the lure lands, a slow, steady retrieve can be all it takes. Paddle-tail plastics in particular can be deadly when slow rolled away from cover, giving any bass tucked inside somewhere to strike from. Just be ready when they do have a go... a hooked bass will usually know exactly where the nearest snag is.
Make the Most of Low-Light Bite Windows
Early morning and late afternoon can be prime times to chase Australian bass. The first and last parts of the day are when you'll often find fish moving into the shallows and feeding more confidently, making these periods well worth prioritising if you've only got limited time fishing.
That doesn't mean bass can't be caught in the middle of the day, but those low-light periods can give you a handy head start. If an afternoon session has been quiet, don't write the spot off completely. Come back early, reassess the conditions and see if the fish have changed their tune — bass can be funny like that.
Pay Attention When the Weather Changes
A change in conditions can sometimes bring a change in fish behaviour too. Wind picking up, cloud cover moving through or a shift in temperature can all have an effect on how an impoundment fishes.
Wind in particular can push bait towards certain banks or bays, giving bass another reason to move and feed. Instead of seeing changing conditions as a reason to pack up and go home, use them as another piece of information. If a previously quiet bank suddenly has some wind pushing onto it, it might be well worth sending out a few more casts in that direction.
Water clarity is another clue worth watching. Natural colours are a handy starting point in clean water, while darker or brighter presentations can provide more contrast in dirty waters after rain or when visibility drops.
Keep Your Bass Outfit Light
Australian bass are heaps of fun on light tackle and you don't need to go overboard with the setup. A 2–4kg spinning rod matched with a 2000 to 2500-size spinning reel makes for a versatile place to begin and is perfect for most impoundment missions.
Around 10lb braid gives you a great combination of sensitivity and casting performance, while leader strength can be adjusted depending on how much structure you're fishing around. A balanced light outfit makes it easier to cast small lures accurately and still gives you enough grunt to steer a bass away from trouble.
Use Your Electronics to Search
Fish finders can take plenty of guesswork out of fishing larger impoundments. Quality fish finders can help identify submerged structure, bait schools, depth changes and fish holding below the boat, rather than leaving you to blindly cast across deep water. The important thing is to use the information rather than stare at the screen all day. If the sounder shows fish at a certain depth, adjust your lure choice and presentation so you're actually fishing where they are.
Having an electric motor on your vessel can also be an absolute game-changer, allowing you to quietly work around likely structure and quickly reposition if a hooked bass makes a dash for the timber.
Don't Be Afraid to Change the Plan
Bass fishing rewards anglers who are willing to adapt. If the shallow weed isn't producing, try timber. If the fish won't touch a hardbody, switch to a plastic. If nothing is happening around the edges, start looking deeper.
Water depth, weather, lure choice, structure and time of day all help build the picture. Whether you prefer lure fishing or bait fishing, the anglers who regularly catch fish are normally the ones paying attention to what's happening and making adjustments along the way.
When you finally stumble onto a good school of hungry Aussie bass and the rod starts to buckle, all that figuring out suddenly feels well worth it. That's the beauty of bass fishing — cracking the code is half the fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to catch Australian bass in impoundments?
Australian bass can be caught in stocked impoundments year-round, although their location and feeding behaviour can change with water temperature, rainfall and seasonal conditions. Being prepared to search different depths is often the key.
Can you catch Australian bass from the bank?
Absolutely. Bank fishing can be productive anywhere you can reach weed edges, rocky points, timber or other likely bass-holding areas. Keeping mobile and covering plenty of water can help you find active fish.
Are Australian bass and estuary perch the same fish?
No. Australian bass and estuary perch are separate species and can look quite similar, particularly to fishos who haven't caught many of them. Checking the fish's key identifying features is the best way to make sure you know what you've landed.
Do I need a permit to fish for Australian bass in stocked dams?
That depends on where you're fishing. In Queensland, a number of stocked dams and weirs are included in the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme, so make sure you check whether a permit is required before fishing. Rules can differ in New South Wales and other states, so always check the latest local fishing regulations before heading out.
What size jig head should I use for Australian bass?
The right jig head depends on water depth, current, wind and the size of your soft plastic. Use enough weight to keep your lure in the strike zone while still allowing it to move naturally.
How should you handle and release Australian bass?
Support the fish carefully, minimise the amount of time it spends out of the water and avoid touching its gills. If you're releasing your bass, getting it back into the water quickly will give it the best chance of swimming away strongly.
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BCFing Experts
The BCFing Experts have done more than their fair share of boating, camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving and much much more! Whether you're tackling tough tracks in Tassie or chasing big barra up North, the BCFing Experts have the know-how to make your next outdoor adventure a pearler
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