Being the most targeted freshwater species, there's a good chance you've come across today's topic, the largemouth bass. Largemouth hold a great reputation among anglers for their incredible fighting power and shear size they're capable of reaching, with some specimens growing over 20lbs! Not only that, these guys have an attitude like no other, often taking just about any bait you throw in their face! Throughout this post you'll not only find the best places on your lake or pond to target largemouth, but also learn the wide variety of lures and techniques that can be used to catch them.
Where to Target Largemouth
Largemouth could be just about anywhere, but knowing where they are at certain water temps will help you locate these bass. We'll start in spring, the most complicated of the seasons. During early spring, when the water is around 45-50 degrees, the bass will start to move up shallow (sometimes in only 6 inches of water) to begin their spawn process. This is called the "pre-spawn" stage. Target shallow creeks off main lakes or shallow banks in ponds. The bass will stay in these shallow spawn areas until spring is near over. Towards the middle to end of spring, bass will enter their post-spawn stages. During this time, bass will be off-shore from their spawn spot, suspended in as much as 30ft of water. Post-spawn is usually a tough time for bass anglers, but we'll get into baits here soon.
As the water temps climb into the high 70s to mid 80s, bass will start to slow down their eating habits. This can also be a tough time. Target off-shore cover, as they'll likely be glued to stumps, trees, and even docks. During this time of year, bass will stay off-shore during the day, while coming up shallow during early morning and evening times. This is the time to catch them. This pattern will go on just about all summer, until the water temps drop back into the low 70s.
This is where the "fall feed-bag" starts to occur. During this time of year, bass become more aggressive, chasing bait to bulk up for winter. Hit those same shallow edges you fished in the spring. During this time they'll also be moving fast, so don't be afraid to fish the entire shoreline off primary and secondary points. Bonus if it's extra windy that day.
As the water temps start to hit the mid 40s, fish start to slow down a bit. You'll want to first downsize, then eventually start moving out deeper as it gets colder. The downside to bass fishing in winter? It's usually slow, with low number days being common. The upside? This is one of the best times to catch a BIG bass. Find them off-shore near brush piles, stumps, or other forms of cover. If your lake has a creek bed, fish that as well. Stay deep until the water starts to hit the mid 40s to low 50s again, that's when the patterns reset and pre-spawn comes around.
In the next section I'll break down the best baits and techniques to use during all the different times of the year.
Baits and Techniques for Largemouth
As you know by now, largemouth are an incredibly aggressive species, which means they'll take down reaction baits just as much as the slow bottom rigs. When it comes to the pre-spawn and the spawn, fish slow, shallow, bottom baits. This mean 1/4-3/4oz jigs, Texas rigs, wacky rigs, neko rigs, the list goes on. Find something you're comfortable throwing and stick to that. Remember to stay shallow, especially if you find a bed. Once post-spawn is in full swing and you're seeing suspended fish (or around 80 degrees), fishing can be tough. They will be in deep water, but only about halfway down. This means jerk baits will be your best move. Deep crankbaits can also work using the stop and go method.
As summer rolls around, we have an interesting daily occurrence happening under the water. First light in the morning, the best will be up shallow, in cooler water, chasing bait and feeding, then as the morning warms up, they move back out deep. Then once again right at sunset, they move back up shallow for the same reason, food. When they're up shallow, top-water is the preferred method among anglers. Texas rigs and squarebill crankbaits also can do the trick. During the mid-day times, heavy jigs will craw trailers would be your best bet. Finesse worms like drop-shots and ned rigs are also good. Just remember to find the cover first.
During the fall, bass are moving fast, and eating tons of bait. This is the time they move back up shallow, pushing the bait up shallow with them. This means that shad or bluegill imitation baits are the go-to's. Make sure it's a moving bait. You want things like spinners, crankbaits, jerk baits, and even the A-rigs.
When the temps drop around the mid 40s bass tend to slow their eating down. This means that downsizing is usually step one. Step two would be to fish deeper, off-shore cover. But once winter is in full effect, you have two options. One, to throw small finesse baits like a ned or a drop-shot. Or two, to throw your big swim baits and A-rigs for that one big bass lurking at the bottom waiting for a slow rolling big meal to swim by.
And that's a wrap! Remember, water temp is key in bass fishing! Tight lines!
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