Largemouth Bass Fishing
Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Guides
Copyright © Brian Myers, All Rights Reserved
The Largemouth Bass is the most highly pursued game fish in North America.
Knowing more about the Largemouth Bass will help you catch more.
Found in all types of fresh water, from small farm ponds to the largest of lakes, from small irrigation ditches to large rivers and streams, the Largemouth Bass can also be caught under many varying types of water conditions, from the very warm water of summer to the frozen iced over lakes in the winter.
The Largemouth Bass is probably one of the most exciting fresh water fish to catch, from the little slow tug on your line through the ice, to the exploding water around your top water plug. the Largemouth is a thrill a second!
The Largemouth Bass is also highly regarded around the dinner table. Although some people would try to make you think differently, it doesn't take a fancy bass boat or expensive gear, to enjoy the thrill of catching this remarkable fish! Yep believe it or not the ole basics (cane pole and worm) are still very effective.
The Largemouth Bass has a very wide range on its appetite selections. It can be caught on red worms, leaf worms, night crawlers, leeches, bee moth, crayfish, minnows, and all types of artificial baits from top water lures to under water spinners and spoons. And believe it or
Some Facts About
The Largemouth Bass and Bass Fishing
Fact: A freshwater black bass can sense 1-200th of a drop of a substance in about 100 gallons of water.
Here are some more interesting facts about the largemouth bass:
They were originally found only East of the Mississippi River and South of the Great Lakes in the continental United States. But as their popularity grew, so did stocking programs in many states Largemouth bass are now caught in waters throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, in addition to southern Canada and most of Mexico. The Largemouth has also been introduced in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
It is the largest member of a group of closely related fishes called black bass. Others include the smallmouth, spotted, redeye, Suwannee and Guadalupe. It is distinguished from all the others by a jaw that extends beyond the eye. All black bass, belong to the sunfish family, but differ from sunfish because of their longer bodies.
Biologists have identified two subspecies of largemouth bass the Florida largemouth and the Northern largemouth. Originally, Florida bass lived only in the waters of Florida, but through excessive stocking efforts, they have expanded their range to include most of the Southern United States, particularly Texas and California. The two species look alike, but the Florida largemouth grows a lot larger than the northern subspecies. A trophy Florida bass can weigh from 10 to 12 pounds, and its Northern counterpart will usually range between 6 to 8 pounds.
The world record Largemouth is believed to be a cross between the two subspecies. It weighed in at a monstrous 22 pounds, 4 ounces!! It was caught in June, 1932 at Montgomery Lake in Georgia.
They vary in color, depending upon the type of water they are in. Bass from murky waters are pale while those from clear waters are darker. They range from a deep green to pale olive across the back, with bellies that are a shade of white or yellow. All bass have a black lateral band that runs, from the head to tail. The band becomes more distinct when a fish is exposed to sunlight, but may disappear when a largemouth is in deep or murky water.
They actually have 6 senses: Along with the normal, hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch they also have the lateral line, which is a series of sensitive nerve endings that extends from just behind the gill to the tail on each side of the fish. The lateral line picks up underwater vibrations as subtle as a swimming bait fish. Experiments have proven that by the use of these lateral lines that the bass can still find food and survive even in the murkiest of waters and also if they are blinded by an eye injury. They hear with internal ears located within the skull. They can see in all directions except directly below or directly behind them. In clear water they can see 30 feet or more, but in most bass waters the visibility is usually between 5 and 10 feet. They can also see objects that are above the water, including you standing in your boat with that brightly colored shirt on!! So remember that in clear water you should always try to wear clothing that will match your background.
In shallow water they can detect color, especially RED. In one study red and white lures caught 3Â times as many largemouths as any other color. But in deeper water most colors appear as shades of gray so color selection is of less importance. Their eyes absorb more light than the human eye enabling the fish to see its food in dim light or total darkness. They will feed at any time of the day or night, but are less inclined to leave cover and search for food under bright conditions. So like most fish they prefer to hang out in the shade. They find better ambush camouflage in shady areas or under low light conditions.
They smell through nostrils, or nares, on their snout. The nares are short passageways through which water is drawn and expelled without entering the throat. They can detect minute amounts of scent in the water, but rely on scent less than catfish, salmon or trout.
They use their sense of touch to determine whether to reject or swallow an object. They will usually hold on to a soft-bodied, artificial worm longer than a metal lure.
Their sense of taste is not as important to the bass as it is to other species, because the bass has very few taste cells in their mouths.
I've even seen nice bass caught on catfish stink bait.
Feeding Habits of the Largemouth Bass:
The newly hatched largemouth bass feed heavily on tiny crustaceans and other zoo plankton until the bass reach 2 inches in length. Then their appetite changes to insects and smaller fish. The adult bass's diet consists mainly of fish, but crayfish, worms, frogs, and insects are important foods in some waters.
The bass ranks very highly in the aquatic food chain. A bass 10 inches or longer has very few enemies and will eat almost anything it can swallow. Because of the bass's large mouth and flexible stomach it can eat prey nearly half its own length.
They usually grab large prey, then turn the food to swallow it headfirst. So if your using large shiners, frogs, or salamanders you should give the fish ample time before setting the hook. But if your using small bait or small lures you need to set the hook immediately upon the strike, since the bass inhales its smaller food by opening its mouth quickly, sucking water (and the bait) into its mouth. It then expels the water through its gills and at the same instant decides whether it will swallow or expel the food. They can expel the bait just as fast as they inhaled it.
As the water temperature warms up, the metabolism of the bass increases and they feed more often They seldom eat at water temperatures below 50 degrees F. From 50 - 68 degrees, their feeding increases and from 68 - 80 degrees they feed heavily. But when the water temperature rises above 80 degrees their feeding declines.
Bass growth depends highly on the length of the "growing" season and their water conditions. They tend to grow much faster in southern lakes than in the colder waters of the northern areas, but they usually live quite as long as their northern counterparts. In the warmer waters of the South a largemouth may reach 10 years while in the colder waters of the North they may live as long as 15 years. The female bass usually lives longer than the male.
Largemouth Bass Spawning Habits:
The Largemouth Bass gets ready to spawn in the spring when the inshore water temperature reaches about 60 degrees F.
Their typical spawning areas are located in shallow bays, backwaters, channels and other areas protected from the prevailing winds. They usually look for areas with firm bottoms of sand, gravel, mud, or rock, and usually in water from 1 - 4 feet deep. But in some cases of very clear water they will be in deeper water.
Actual spawning takes place when the water temperature reaches between 63 - 58 degrees. The female will lay from 2000 to 7000 eggs per pound of her body weight. She will deposit her eggs in either one nest or can deposit them in several different nests after which she leaves the area and returns to deeper water to recuperate. Once in the deeper water she will remain there for several weeks without eating.
Once the eggs are laid, the male guards the nest (or nests) and refuses to eat until the eggs hatch. He will pick up slowly moving objects and move them off the nest, and will attack fast moving objects near the nest.
Panfish are the bass fish's worst enemy during spawning. The small schools of panfish will surround the nest and when the male leaves the nest to chase off one of the panfish, the rest will swarm in and indulge on the bass eggs. An area with a very high population of panfish can hamper bass reproduction tremendously.
Bass fish eggs hatch in only 2 days if the water temp is at 72 degrees, but take 5 days at 67 degrees. From 2000 to 12,000 eggs hatch from the typical nest, and of all these only 5 - 10 are likely to survive to reach 10 inches in length. The male will then guard and protect the fry until they reach about an inch in length and then abandon them. After this point he will also eat any fry he encounters.
Where to find the Largemouth Bass
Finding Largemouth Bass In Spring
In the Spring as the water temperature starts to rise the bass will start heading into shallower water to begin spawning. So during this pre-spawn period look for the bass to be just outside of their spawning grounds. As the temperature rises the bass will move into the spawning area...
After a cold front the fish will move back out into deeper water. Bass will start their feeding binge as the water reaches the temperature of about 55 degrees F. Baitfish are scarce so the bass will spend most of their time cruising through shallow water in search of food. When the water temperature reaches 70 degrees F. This signals the post-spawn period and the resumption of good fishing. The bass will feed heavily in the shallow waters but spend most of the day in the deeper water.
Finding Largemouth Bass In Summer
Strong sunlight and warm temperatures may force the bass out of the shallower water and into the deeps. The bass will form loose schools around deep water structure. And then come into the shallows very early and very late in the day to feed, but due to the abundance of small baitfish in the shallows the feeding time is usually very short. Water temperature above 80 degrees F.will push the bass in very deep water. But in fertile lakes low oxygen levels in the depths prevent bass from going deeper. They must remain in the shallower water but become listless and very difficult to catch.
Finding Largemouth Bass In Fall and Winter
As the water temp cools, the bass will return to the shallower water and begin their fall feeding binge. So remember to leave that squirrel rifle in the closet a day or two and take the rod and reel to you favorite fishing hole instead...
During the fall turnover, since the water temp and density is about the same throughout, the fish can be found just about anywhere. As the surface water temp cools the fish will once again return to the deeper (warmer) water, where they will remain throughout the winter. Many ice fishermen enjoy a short feeding flurry of action just after freeze up, but the cold water tends to make the bass very sluggish and hard to catch the longer the ice is on. However if you find deep a water structure bass can be caught through the ice quite frequently.
Finding Largemouth Bass
In Reservoirs and Natural Lakes
Finding Largemouth Bass In Spring
Look for the bass to be heading into the shallower water in the back ends of coves, the edges of creek channels, around shoreline cover such as brush, sunken logs, and weeds. Look for areas with flooded timbers extending far out from the shore. This indicates a wide shoal that warms quickly and attracts many spawners. Search for sheltered bays that warm faster that the open areas of the lake. An ideal bay to fish would be one that is fairly shallow, secluded with high banks to protect it from the cool spring winds but allows the sunlight to warm the water quickly and has some cover such as flooded brush or timbers. Look around areas that have floating vegetation, or the presence of lily pads that are starting to break the surface of the water. Try out the areas with emergent vegetation such as bullrushes, and Maidencane these make excellent cover for spawning bass.
Finding Largemouth Bass In Summer
Fish the edges of deeper water dropoffs, the edges and humps of underwater (sunken) islands, the edges of deep water weed beds. Try just off the edge of points of land that jut out into the water. These areas usually indicate a quick drop off, and warm water bass will lay in the deeper water and in the early morning and late afternoon make a quick tour through the shallower water in these areas. The outside bends of creek channels will usually hold more bass than inside turns or straight sections of the channel. Brushy flats serve as feeding areas. Flats with deep holes and abundant cover are better than large flats with uniform depth and little cover. Fish around docks or piers close to deep water that have an abundance of weeds nearby. Be sure to check out the slop bays (small bays or coves with a lot of floating vegetation).
Finding Largemouth Bass
In Rivers and Backwaters
A highly overlooked bass fishery is North America's river systems. Try fishing the backwaters of some of your neighboring rivers. Look for chutes between islands off of the main river channel that empty into large pools. Try fishing around bridges, they offer shade and cover. Bass will often hold along the edges of abutments near shore and around pilings in mid-stream. Look for rocky points of land that jut out into a small pool out of the current of the river or backwater. Shady overhangs of trees hanging over the water is an excellent place to find a waiting bass. Make sure to try fishing close to riprap, these large rocks hold many baitfish and crayfish that the bass feeds upon. Stump fields, weedy shallows, and fallen trees all provide excellent cover, and should never be overlooked. Look for bass in the slack water on both sides of a spillway or damn where it empties into the main stream. Any type of structure in close to riffles in a small creek can provide ample cover for a bass waiting for an easy meal.
Finding Largemouth Bass
In Ponds, Pits and Quarries
Small farm ponds, old gravel pits and Quarries are excellent bass fishing areas. Farm ponds are usually quite abundant in vegetation and baitfish, providing excellent cover and food source for the bass. They are usually more productive in the spring and fall with the cooler water temps...
Strip pits with a maximum depth of about 40 feet offer the best fishing. Deeper pits produce fewer bass because the water is cold and infertile. and in some older pits the water is too acidic.
Weather conditions play a great deal in bass location:
Stable Weather Conditions:
During stable weather, bass go through a routine of feeding and resting that is often very predictable. They will feed heavily just before a strong cold front moves in. But once the front arrives they eat very little. An extended warm front in the spring or winter will usually cause the bass to eat more heartily, while an extended warm front in the summer will make the bass sluggish and difficult to catch.
Windy Weather Conditions
Wind can either improve or ruin fishing. A steady wind will concentrate minute organisms near shore and will attract the bass.
A warm steady wind from one direction will warm the waters in the spring in certain areas, and the bass will concentrate in this warmer water. It also creates waves that wash on shore, which then washes soil and debris into the water, creating a band of muddy water. The bass will stay in this mud line and then dart out into the clear water for food. But a strong wind will create too much turbulence in the water and the bass will then be pushed into deeper water. On shallow lakes a heavy wind can make the lake so murky that it will slow down fishing for several days until the water clears again.
Rainy Weather Conditions
Rainy weather usually improves fishing. The overcast skies reduce light penetration, so the bass are more likely to be in shallower water. But during and after a heavy rain the fish may stop biting entirely.
Largemouth Bass Fishing Equipment And Bait
Bass Fishing Equipment
I won't go into much detail on this section because it would take me forever. But the equipment that you need to be successful at catching largemouth bass depends on the type of bass fishing that you plan on doing... If you have the funds you can purchase a bass boat in excess of $10,000 if you don't you can always just put on the ole worn out sneakers. I met an old fellow in Missouri once, who used a little 10 foot john boat, no motor but just an oar and a cane pole tipped with a live night crawler that I would put my money on, before I would spend some on a high dollar bass boat with all their expensive gear... I just want you to know being successful doesn't mean that you have to invest a lot of money.
Bass Fishing Boats
Get a boat that best fits your needs. There is no sense in getting a bass boat with a 100+ horsepower motor if your going to be fishing very small lakes and ponds. But also if you plan on doing the majority of your fishing on a very large lake you wouldn't want to be armed with just a paddle or oars either. Bass boats can come with all sorts of equipment such as depth-finders, trolling motors, inboard/outboard motors, Electronic thermometers, live wells, etc. etc... Some big advantages of owning a bass boat is that you can carry a lot of equipment with you and have it ready should you ever need it.
Bass Fishing Rods and Reels
This too can be a very big decision. There are so many different styles and types of rods and reels on the market today that it is about impossible for me to mention them all here. So I am just going to stick to the basics.. A good bass rod should have a heavy strong butt, and sensitive tips. You need a powerful strong rod for setting the hook and horsing the fish out of heavy cover. Probably most importantly though is to make sure you balance the rod with the same type of reel... Don't buy an ultralight rod and then put a heavy duty reel on it. This would impair the balance and sensitivity of the rod. So once again as with the Bass boat, just try to match the rod and reel with the type of fishing that you do mostly. For example you wouldn't want to use an ultralight rod and reel if you planned on doing a lot of trolling and visa versa you wouldn't want to buy a heavy trolling rod and reel if you planned on fishing with very lightweight top water plugs from shore.
Artificial Lures And Baits For Bass Fishing
Here too we have so many different types and variations that it is impossible to mention them all. Once again it depends on your preferences, the water you are fishing and also the equipment that you are using. But probably the most highly used artificial bait is the Plastic Worm. The ability to make it almost snag proof allows the angler to present the bait in the very thickest of cover, it has a very lifelike action, and when inhaled by the bass the worms soft body feels like the natural food. They are most effective in warm water and can be retrieved through thick weeds or brush, float them over shallow cover, or jig them along deep structure. they vary in lengths from 4 to 12 inches and come in various shapes and colors.
Bass Fishing Spinnerbaits
A spinnerbait attract bass with its flash, action, and color. It is actually a combination of two other types of lures, the jig and the spinner. The use of this bait differs from buzzing it across top water to crawling it across the bottom. And the lift and drop technique will sometimes entice the bass to strike.
Bass Fishing Crankbaits
Crankbaits work very well because you can cover alot of water in a very short period of time. They also come in different varieties from ones that float, ones that float at rest but dive on the retrieve, and the vibrating plugs that sink.
Bass Fishing Surface Lures
Some of the variations are the propeller-type plugs, poppers, buzzbaits, topwater crawlers, stickbaits, surface wobblers, and artificial frogs. They are very effective for fish that are hanging out in very thick cover and for night fishing.
Bass Fishing Jigs
The lead-head jigs have feathers, hair, rubber skirts, or plastic attractors on them. They can be tipped with live bait or pork rind. They can be retrieved with a slow steady motion or bounced along the bottom or just simply jigged up and down. Jigging spoons are made of heavy metal and are used mostly in cold water conditions. Vibrating blades are made of thin metal. They are jigged vertically or retrieved very rapidly. They can even be used for trolling. Tailspins have a heavy lead body and a spinner on the tail. They work best for vertical jigging, but can be hopped along the bottom or retrieved steadily.
Bass Fishing Spoon Plugs
Spoon plugs work best when trolled along weedlines.
Bass Fishing Spinner Lures
Spinner lures have one or more blades that rotate on a steel shaft. They are usually not weedless so they should be retrieved next to or just above cover.
Bass Fishing Metal Spoon Lures
Metal spoon lures are among the oldest artificial lures. They can be made almost weedless and retrieved slowly through emergent weeds or other dense cover, crawled along the bottom, or skittered across the surface.
Bass Fishing Live Bait
NightCrawlers, Frogs, crayfish, minnows, and leeches are among the most widely used. Largemouth are more apt to strike live bait after a cold front than an artificial bait. And in very clear water the live bait will be a lot more effective than anything artificial that you can throw at them.
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