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Last Updated on March 20, 2025 by Paul Clayton
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Bass Jumping out of Water: What Does it Mean & Can You Catch Them?
If you love bass fishing, you have probably seen some memorable jumps. The first jump you saw of a big fish was most likely monumental and an amazing experience. Seeing a big fish or a school of small fish jumping is awesome, especially if you are with your kids or grandkids.
Key Takeaways:
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- Bass Jumping Behavior: Bass rarely jump out of the water, but when they do, they usually catch food, such as insects or small prey near the surface. They may also jump when startled, but this is uncommon.
- Best Conditions for Jumping: Bass are likelier to jump on warm, sunny days when they stay near the surface for warmth. Brightly colored or metallic bait can help attract them.
- Challenges of Catching Jumping Bass: Once a bass is airborne, it can shake its head rapidly, making it easier for the hook to dislodge. Heavy lures can also make it harder to secure the fish.
- Pro Angler Technique: Keeping the fishing rod tip close to or slightly submerged in water helps maintain a tight line and control the fish, preventing it from jumping and escaping.
- Encouraging Surface Feeding: To increase the chances of bass jumping or feeding near the surface, use topwater lures, fish during dawn or dusk, and create disturbances that mimic natural feeding conditions.
- Why Bass Won’t Bite: Factors like bait choice, retrieval technique, water temperature, fishing pressure, weather, and line visibility can all affect whether bass bite. Adjusting tactics can improve success.
While it is spectacular to see fish jump, it is not very common. Only a few species of fish, such as salmon, jump frequently, but most don’t. Bass jumps are also not common, but they do happen.
In this post, I will share everything you need to know about bass jumping out of the water, including what it means and how to take advantage of it. So, whether you are a fishing enthusiast, an outdoorsman, a survivalist, or a professional angler, this piece has something for you—information that you could use to your benefit when bass fishing.
Why Bass Jump Out of the Water
For recreational fishermen, jumps are thrilling and welcome. They excite recreational fishermen in the same way they excite little kids. It is usually an awesome experience, even for myself. 
Some of my best experiences on the water concerning bass fishing are those related to bass aerial acrobatics.
However, what does it mean when bass jump out of the water? Some people say it is a curse, while others say it is a blessing. This is usually from experience. In some cases, bass launching into the air has caused some people to lose their catch and/ or place in tournaments.
These are the people who generally think it is a curse. In some cases, bass jumps have caused people to have memorable and exciting experiences on the water.
Bass rarely jumps out of the water. So, it is understandable why some people consider jumping a curse or a blessing. However, jumping is less about blessings and curses and more about the fish jumping for food.
As mentioned, bass very rarely surfaces. But they can do so if something that looks like food attracts them. The jumping allows them to bite whatever sits at or just below the surface. This is why expert bass anglers let their bait sit just below or on the surface to attract and catch bass.
The food that big bass jump for are winged insects that float or fly low and close to the water. They also jump for brightly colored, insect-looking baits floating or sitting just beneath the water’s surface.
Bass can also jump out of the water if disturbed or scared, but this is rare. Most of the time, you see bass or big fish jumping out of the water to catch food. The rare exception is salmons that leap into the air when jumping obstacles in rivers as they go upstream.
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When Do They Jump
While I have stated that bass do not jump, when they do, it is usually a warm day. This is because, on such days, the bass often gets closer to the surface to get warmth. 
Moreover, on such days, the sun is most likely shining brightly, and anything that reflects the light brightly on its surface will likely catch the attention of such fish.
So, if you want to see bass jumping, go to the water on a warm or sunny day and use metallic or brightly colored bait on the surface. Your chances of succeeding will be higher.
That said, it is rare to see them jumping. They will usually come close or near the surface but not jump.
Can You Catch Bass Jumping Out of The Water?
Yes, you can. However, there are a few things you need to note first. When you are fishing and feel the tag of a hooked fish on your fishing line and suddenly see bass leaping into the air, it is probably too late to hook the fish and reel it in properly.
Why? Because water is quite dense compared to air. Most fish species, including bass, are adapted to shaking their heads up to three times per second in water. So they can probably shake their heads up to six times per second in the air because of the lower density. This is why getting the hook set in a fish already flying in the air is difficult since it can more easily dislodge the hook.
Moreover, if the lure you use is heavy, setting the hook is even more difficult because fish find heavy baits easier to toss out due to their extra weight.
Nevertheless, you can catch a jumping bass if you are prepared and know what you are doing. Experienced anglers do it all the time. Below, I explain the techniques experienced and professional anglers use to catch fish.
How to Catch Bass Jumping Out of the Water
There is a special technique that professional anglers use to catch jumping bass. The moment the hook has set in a bass’s mouth, the technique the experts use is to keep the tip of the fishing rod near the water. Sometimes, they sink the fishing rod tip below the water’s surface.
Considering the average length of fishing rods, it is easier for tall guys to keep the rod’s tip near the water and to even sink it than for shorter guys. However, if you are short or find keeping the rod’s tip near the water difficult, take a knee. This will give you more leverage to keep the rod near the water or sink it.
Keeping the rod near the water or sinking it a bit lets you see the line coming out of the water and going toward the bass as it leaps out. This will make it easier for you to quickly control and catch the bass.
When you keep the tip low or sink it into the water after detecting a hooked bass, you can see the line coming out. Hopefully, you can reel quickly and stop the fish from leaping and dislodging the hook. The main objective of this professional technique is to see the fishing line and control the fish by keeping it tight.
It is difficult to catch bass if they don’t come out of the water. It is even more difficult when they come out of the water and try shaking off the hook in the air. So, keeping the bass in the water and stopping it from jumping can help you catch it.
Alternatively, keeping the fishing rod tip close to the water surface or dipping it into the water can help you keep the fishing line tight while guiding a large bass through underwater or submerged weeds or grass. When you do this, you will achieve two things. First, grass or weeds will probably be over the bass’s face or in front of it.
This will block its vision and slow its swimming maneuvers, making it more likely for you to catch it.
Second, when you keep the line tight and drag the bass through weed, your line will collect underwater weed and grass, adding weight to the line and slowing the fish down, increasing your chances of landing it.
So there, you have it. Catching a jumping bass is not easy, but it is possible. Just keep the tip of your fishing rod near the water surface and keep your line tight. This will give you control over doing the rest.
Why want a Bass Bite when you can see them?
If you can see bass, but they won’t bite, there may be several reasons for this. Here are some common reasons why bass may not be biting:
- The bait you use may not be the right choice for the conditions or the specific bass you target. Try using a different type of bait that is more appealing to the bass.
- The way you present your bait may not appeal to the bass. Experiment with different techniques, such as slow retrieves, fast retrieves, or jigs, to see what works best.
- Bass can be more or less active depending on the water temperature. If the water temperature is too cold or hot, the bass may not be interested in biting.
- The bass may be more wary of biting if your fishing area is heavily fished. To avoid fishing pressure, try fishing in a different location or time of day.
- Weather conditions such as high winds, bright sunlight, or rain can affect bass behavior and make them less likely to bite. Try adjusting your fishing approach to suit the conditions.
- A too-visible or heavy fishing line can spook bass. Try using a lighter line or leader to make your bait appear more natural.
If you can see bass but they won’t bite, it’s important to be patient and persistent. Try changing your bait, technique, or fishing location to see what works best. Remember to practice responsible fishing practices and follow local laws and regulations.
How to Make Bass Jump or Come to the Surface
If you want to catch more bass or trigger one or more into jumping, you should know you can do something to achieve that. That thing simulates the perfect conditions for the bass to jump. As mentioned before, bass comes near the surface when there is light and when it is reflecting off of bright insects that they are attracted to for food.
By casting a shiner in a dark area of a water body and banging the side of your boat, you will disturb both the fish and insects there. The light shining and reflecting off the insects will attract the bass to the surface, and your lure will do the rest. In some cases, anglers have seen a school of bass poking their heads out after doing this, while in other cases, anglers have reported bass and other fish leaping into the air and straight into their boats.
It’s impossible to guarantee that bass will jump or come to the surface, as many factors beyond our control influence this behavior. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of catching jumping or surface-feeding bass:
- Use the right bait: Bass feed on insects, frogs, and other small animals near the water’s surface. Using topwater lures or flies that mimic these prey items can increase your chances of attracting bass to the surface.
- Fish during the right time of day: Bass are likelier to jump or come to the surface during low light conditions, such as dawn and dusk. Fishing during these times can increase your chances of seeing surface-feeding bass.
- Look for signs of surface activity: Look for signs of surface activity, such as baitfish jumping or ripples on the water’s surface. These signs can indicate that bass are feeding near the surface.
- Use the right techniques: Experiment with different techniques, such as popping, twitching, or retrieving your bait, to see what works best for attracting surface-feeding bass.
- Be patient: Bass’s behavior can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be patient and persistent. Keep trying different baits, techniques, and fishing locations until you succeed.
While surface-feeding bass can be exciting to catch, it’s also important to practice responsible fishing and follow local laws and regulations. Always handle fish gently and release them back into the water as quickly and carefully as possible.
So, if you want to see bass jump or attract bass to make them easier to catch, you now know what to do. If you have been going on the water and coming back with small-size fish, or you have been participating in bass fishing competitions and placing last, you now know how to attract bass and bring home a good catch.
You might also like some of our other articles on Bass fishing:
What Size of Hook for the Bass?
Can You Eat Bass? Plus, Some Great Recipes
The 5 Best Weedless Bass Lures
The 10 Best Spinning Rods For Bass
Bass Fishing: Lures, Gear & Tips For Landing Massive Fish
How Much Does A Bass Boat Weigh? With 19 Examples
Best Bait for Bass – Live and Artificial
Do Bass Bite After a Rainstorm?
What Do Bass Eat? 7 Surprising Baits that Work Every Time
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to JFev31
Final Thoughts
It is rare to see bass jumping out of the water. However, they can jump. Moreover, when you catch them and reel them in, they can also jump and try to shake off or dislodge the hook from their mouths. This makes it difficult to catch bass leaping out of the water.
More Bass content for your enjoyment:
The 10 Best Spinning Rods For Bass
Bass Boat or Multi-Species – Which Is Right For You?
Beginners Guide to Bass Fishing
However, by keeping your rod close to or into the water and keeping your line tight after hooking them, you can prevent them from jumping and better control their movements to reel them in. It is always a challenge to catch bass. However, you can catch one with the right technique for your food or competition.
Bass are known to jump out of the water, a behavior known as “breaking the surface.” The reasons for this behavior can vary, but here are some general points to keep in mind:
- Bass may jump out of the water to catch prey, such as insects or small fish flying or swimming near the surface.
- They may also jump to escape predators, such as larger fish or birds attacking them from below.
- Bass may jump out of the water as part of their mating ritual or to establish dominance over other fish in their territory.
- Environmental factors such as water temperature, light conditions, and oxygen levels can also affect bass behavior, leading them to jump out of the water.
The frequency of bass jumping out of the water can vary depending on the specific conditions and fish population. Some anglers report seeing bass jump out of the water frequently, while others may never witness this. While bass fishing can be exciting, it can also be dangerous if anglers are not careful. It’s important to always wear proper safety gear and follow local laws and regulations when fishing.
