Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips

The largemouth bass are from the Sunfish family and are closely related to the black bass. Their characteristic large size differentiates them from the rest of the fish in the sunfish family. As their name suggests, a largemouth bass has a mouth that extends beyond the eyes. It is a freshwater fish, that is found in the large and small lakes, ditches and small farm ponds. Presently, they are fished in the waters of the continental United States and some parts of Canada. Thanks to the successfully carried out stocking programs, they are fished in places such as, Europe, South America, Mexico, Hawaii, Asia and Africa. There are two subspecies - the Florida largemouth and theNorthern largemouth. Of these, a fully matured Florida largemouth, at 10 - 12 pounds weighs more than that of the fully matured Northern largemouth bass, which weighs between 6 - 8 pounds. The biggest one was caught in 1932 weighed more than 22 pounds.

Lures
A big largemouth has very few natural enemies and feeds on red and leaf worms, leeches, insects like bee moth and fish like crayfish and minnows. These along with the artificial baits such as under water spinners and spoons, crank-baits, grubs, plastic worms, spinner-baits and top water baits, can be used as fishing lures. The bass has a huge appetite and can even go for a catfish stink bait. So, as far as fishing it is considered, lure is not the problem. It is said that, finding fish constitutes 90% part of the fishing.

Time
Find them, bait them and land them is the fisherman's motto. Knowing largemouth bass facts or information, when and where to fish for this fish, can make a noticeable difference in the number and weight of your catch.

When the water temperature is in the range of 50 -68 Fahrenheit, the largemouth bass fish goes on a feeding being. This is the right time to catch it. Their feeding activity slows down when the temperatures decreases below or rises above this temperature range.

Place
In the summer and spring, the largemouth lives at a depth of 5 feet or less water. However, in the fall and early winter, they move to the 10 feet plus depth of water. In winter, it lives at approximately, 10 feet of water.

These fish prefer to go after their prey in the dimly lighted and dark waters. The fish also prefers the underwater structures to hang out in search of its prey. These are the places where you should set your bait.

Tips and Tricks
Largemouth bass are sensitive to light and you can seldom see them basking in the sunlight on the surface of water. They can also see things, such as a fishermen and colored baits, that are above the water. However, if you happened to be fishing for them, at the time of evening twilight, when the intensity of the light is decreasing with every passing second, try using top water bright colored baits as a largemouth bass fishing lure. If you are lucky, you may see a bold largemouth bass breaching the surfaces of the water, gaining height in the air, turning at the top of the flight and diving for your bait, with the water droplets splashing in the water off its body - a timeless moment that can turn a fisherman into a poet.

The lateral line, which extends on both sides from the gill to the tail of the fish helps them pick up underwater disturbances as small as those made by the fish. It warns them about their predators and help them in catching their prey. It also makes them aware of the bait. How you throw a baited line in the water can make a real difference. If the bait is weighted and sinks fast, out of the visual range of the fish, then you can hardly expect to catch a fish in a day. A trick, such as pulling a head leaden bait close to under water structure, is one of the fishing techniques, for which a largemouth bass can surely fall for.

The largemouth bass swallows a prey and if, it doesn't like, it throws it out. So if you are using a large bait such as mackerel, frogs, or something exotic as salamanders, let the line hang loose and the bass to swallow it with the hook. Then tug on the line to set the hook. However, in case you are using a small bait, set the hook quickly, before it can throw it out. If you are using artificial baits, then select a soft-bodied lure, because, they tend to hold on to these.

You don't need a bass boat fitted with the 120 horsepower engine to catch the bass in a small lake. This you can still do with a fishing pole, stout line and bait. In case of bass fishing in the large lake, a boat equipped with a depth finder, etc. can be useful. I hope the above information on the largemouth bass proves to be of help to you.