Knowing as much as you can about this sometimes elusive fish makes largemouth bass fishing a bit easier. This cagey fish is a joy to catch so learn as much as you can about it. It’s worth your time and you will actually enjoy learning the features.
For you to really succeed with your largemouth bass fishing you need to first be able to identify this beautiful fish. Largemouth bass have distinctive jagged stripes that are on both sides. They are made up of a multitude of dark spots. Now that is not the only type there are. Some largemouth bass are all black. Their upper jaw is a bit unusual too. It reaches past the rear of its eye.
Just like many species of fish and mammals the largemouth bass diet changes as it goes through its lifespan. The young fish enjoy dining on insects and plankton. Once they get older small fish go on the menu. This one just might surprise you. Adult largemouth bass have been known to eat small mammals and birds. They use their sense of smell, sight, and hearing to seize these more unusual preys. Sight is used the most and they find the birds and mammals often under the cover of grass, brush, and drop offs.
Spawning beds are an awesome way to fish for largemouth bass. When the shallow water temperatures in ponds and small lakes are anywhere between 64 and 74 degrees you just might be able to find where they are spawning. The male bass makes a shallow depression and up to one million eggs can be laid by the fertile female. The male stands guard to thwart any potential predators.
The largemouth bass is a strong battler. They are not going to come easily to you. They will put up a fight and that is exactly what makes it exciting and fun. Once they hit the hook your heart will race and the battle begins. Flipping, doodling, and pitching are some techniques you will have to use to reel these guys in.
Practicing your casting will definitely help. You want to make sure that your cast is accurate the first time. Largemouth bass fishing aficionados use different types of casting. Some cast sidearm, some overhand, and even some cast underhand. It’s all about what is most comfortable and accurate for you.
Artificial bait is a God send when fishing for largemouth bass. You can use hard baits or soft plastic baits. If you are using soft bait you can use a variety of types including: soft jerk baits, plastic worms, grubs, and tube baits. Hard baits that you can use are: jigging spoons, vibrating lures, swimming spoons, and crank baits.
Many fishermen choose to catch and release the largemouth bass. This has become more and more common with largemouth bass fishing. They are a hardy fish and are able to be caught and released many times. Their hook injuries seem to heal with not many problems.
Largemouth bass fishing is a great sport and hobby for all demographics. Now get on out there and go fishing!
I lived in south Florida until i was 18 and i love fishing there.You never know what kind of fish that you’re gonna reel in when you make a cast.I used to go fishing at my friends house in a big pond that was a run off from a whole series of canals and we’d catch 10lb bass and huge catfish all the time.He still has a picture of a 22lb bass on a digital scale that he caught one day while we were fishing.I told him to get it done by a taxidermist but his dad made him throw it back!
Thanks for commenting Alex. I bet that was tough throwing back the 22 pound bass. Happy fishing!