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How to catch largemouth bass

The easiest way to catch big bass is to know where in vast environment water they will live. So, have you asked yourself how to catch trophy bass? So let’s get started. bass generally preferred warm, shallow parts of reservoirs, natural lakes, and rivers. The success of this species is credited in large part to its most apparent feature, which is having a bucket size big mouth.

It provides an easy catch for bass that attack and eat all sorts of prey ranging from tiny zooplankton mice to ducks and snakes, but it usually relies on prey fish and other food in many fisheries. The bass can be fooled by lures causing naturalistic flashes or movements without many similarities to actual events.

Understanding the current conditions is one of the best ways to catch largemouth bass consistently. It is common to find bass closer to shore during the spring and hot winter days, and summer mornings. This is because the bass is around various structures, such as vegetation, docks, falling shrubs, etc. In other periods the giant spawns are often held in shallow waters.

The best fishing technique is adapting your tackle and style to current fishing conditions and adjusting your tackle to these conditions. This article will help you with these decisions.

Outline Guide to How to Catch Bass

At Bass Online, the  bass is not the most beautiful species of fish that we catch, but it is the most plentiful. They strike aggressively, fight hard and often launch into the air with spectacular acrobatics. Anglers, Vacationers, Sports enthusiasts, Tourists, and people that want to experience the outdoors spend millions of dollars a year on bass fishing, specifically for trophy bass.

Below will discover the species itself, as well as many fantastic ways to catch bass. First, learn where, when, and why you can catch bass by reading this article. Then, use these resources to learn about these fish and how to catch them in the wild.

What is Considered a Trophy Largemouth bass?

Asking how to catch big bass worldwide is different, considering they grow at different rates. In the North, they grow slower to water temps. In the south, they grow faster for the same reason. The conversations online anglers relate a trophy as a bass, usually over 10 pounds. Bass grows this big in the United States and South Asia, Mexico, and Italy, among other places.

They may be more available in some areas, but they all have the potential. We have found that a trophy bass is different for each person. There are no rules or formulas to set this; we have seen many people hold up a four-pound bass as their PB, which is now considered their trophy.

But this does not constitute a standard definition of the term. The trophy bass is in the eye of the beholder. We will not always agree that what fish should be a trophy. But it should reportedly be more significant when compared to your previous personal record. So, in theory, a trophy bass could be a trophy largemouth bass weighing 4-11 pounds based on your personal experience.

Most popular bass fishing lures year-round.

We talk below about many lures, but only a few work all year long. Our best bass lures are based on proven professional guides, using them daily with inexperienced anglers who can catch fish quickly and consistently.

The lures are versatile and, in our opinion, can be used all year round.

Interested in the detailed information on specific types of bass lures? Keep reading as we detail them below. A complete resource on each particular style of lure, loaded with information and the best techniques to use. Purchasing and using bass lures is almost as enjoyable as catching fish. But let’s get into which bait is the easiest to catch the most bass.

What Is the Easiest Lure For Bass Fishing beginners?

Let’s explore how to catch largemouth bass with some of the best lures in bass fishing for novice anglers. First, we must talk about the most popular lure, the Senko, known as stick-style bait. Then we must consider which lure is undoubtedly best for beginner bass fishing.

A Senko is pretty easy to fish, there are many ways to rig it, and the bite is subtle; it generally has to be worked very slowly. And for new anglers, that is hard to do.

We prefer to use a fluke or referred to as a soft plastic jerk bait. It’s a small rubber bait that imitates baitfish very well. In the industry, it’s known as a fluke. First introduced by Zoom bait company, and now hundreds of imitators work very well as replacements.

The soft plastic jerk is the best lure for beginner bass fishing anglers because it can be thrown in various locations, around docks, down riprap, around boat ramps, out in open water, and through the grass. You can fish a soft plastic jerk, very slow like a Senko, medium speed in the middle of the water column, or fast skipping it across the top, all enticing to bass.

Where?

Again, many of our fishing guides on this website fish a soft plastic jerk daily with success. The most common colors they succeed with are our watermelon, Red and Green Pumpkin. Sure, they throw other colors but consistently catch more fish with these two colors.

They have caught bass in Texas, California, Alabama, and Georgia as far north as Pennsylvania and in over 250 different lakes in Florida.

How to catch largemouth bass & How to Rig?

Depending on the cover you are fishing, we found a 1/16 or smaller bullet weight works in most locations. Throwing them on a spinning rod provides more weight to get some distance in your cast. We typically fish them on a weightless 3/0 or 4/0 offset wide gap hook. With this setup, you can work the lure on the surface, slow your retrieve, and work them under the water and be able to stick the bait dead.

Because of its versatile body and the soft plastic jerk bait work, the Zoom Super Fluke is the most popular brand, purchased everywhere, including Walmart. But let’s talk about some other good soft plastic jerk bait brands.

Also, one of the originals is made by Bass Assassin baits, and they have great colors and sizes. The new generation version can now be seen at Googan baits as well. They have become famous for saltwater fish, which none beat the popular Berkley Gulp version, but now many use a ZMan fishing model as an alternative. But in our opinion, we have used most of the soft plastic jerk baits on the market today, and all of the above are the best lures for bass fishing.

Again the reasoning, they are easy to fish. You can use them on Texas, Umbrella, and Carolina rigs. We have many pictures of fish caught with a soft plastic jerk bait. Additionally, you can find many videos on how to fish a fluke. Let us know in the comments below what you think about our choice of the most accessible lure for bass fishing beginners.

What Is the Most Popular Lure For Bass Fishing beginners?

Next, let’s discuss the most popular option, and that’s not necessarily the best. So what can be said about topwater lures? We did hesitate to say the most popular, but it is. Who doesn’t like to catch a bass on top water? Even if you haven’t, you have seen a clip or someone doing it and want to accomplish it. Still, it’s not the best because it doesn’t work as well as a Senko or Soft plastic all day or year round.

However, it does work in many different areas and off and on throughout the year. The topwater lure can be successful and many kinds of water bodies.

So there are many categories of topwater plugs; we will cover these below. But we want you to understand why lots of fun the fish don’t bite topwater all the time. The conditions must be aligned and suitable for top water. Ideally, you want to fish a lot in the early mornings before and during the sunrise. Overcast, cloudy days can be some of the best days for topwater.

Most commonly, hot and sunny days with no wind and no clouds are the worst days for topwater plugs. But we have seen it go off in the middle of the summer, the heat of the day, and they are destroying the topwater plug. So sometimes, you have to try it.

Which Types to throw?

Like plastics, there are several categories of topwater lures and prop baits, which could have one or two props. Additionally, walking baits like the Zara Spook and continuous moving baits like a Whopper Plopper or buzz bait. These lures have been out for years and seem never to die. Many cases make major comebacks like the Whopper Plopper.

Berkley fishing brought back the plopper, and it’s been a big hit. Why you ask, people love fishing lures where they can visually see the strike.

Why are these lures fun to use? The hook-up percentage is horrible. The number of bites you get verse the fish you catch is meager compared to a Senko. Another negative is that most of these lures have exposed hooks, in many cases, treble hooks. Open hooks get hung on timber, grass, lily pads, etc. So experience is needed to fish them around cover; if not, you must work them in relatively open water.

The other type of topwater lure is walking baits for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, peacock bass, and even Striped bass. Finally, and probably the most popular, is the original Zara Spook. They’re so many more that have been copied or redeveloped over the years. Why, you may ask because it works and it catches big fish!

Let’s discuss the topwater prop baits. There are prop baits with two props, like the original Devil’s Horse. Also, there are topwater plugs with props on the rear, known as single prop bait. They even have twin-prop baits, called spy bait, that suspend below the surface. But for this article, let’s focus on the top water styles. The big difference between the two props baits is the noise; it makes the water spray.

One prop is going to make a minor disturbance, then two mounts. Typically, but not always, you work the twin-prop baits slower than the single prop. These baits are some of the easier new uses to learn to use.

Throw it out and let it sit?

Yes, throw it out and work it slowly, one twitch at a time. Then try faster and slower retrieves until you get a strike. The key to success with these baits is to duplicate exactly what you did on the last cast that caught a fish. Then do it over and over again.

These baits can be used for peacock bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, spotted bass, and graphically worldwide. We know this may create a debate about the most popular among topwater enthusiasts. We welcome your comments below for the easiest and most popular.

When are largemouth bass most active?

The basics of how to catch largemouth bass start here. Bass are cold-blooded and are active in hot water. In hot water, bass metabolism is slower, so they use more energy and must eat. It’s easier and faster for the dogs to get around them after eating. During the summer, the bass remains active, but they can sometimes go further and move to larger waters.

During the winter, when the water is coldest, the bass is less active when fishing in deeper waters. As falls approach and the water cools, bass can become found again in shallow lakes.

Fall

Bass will stack up in prime places, and you can catch them one after the other. The bass pile up near the last remains of living (green) weeds and won’t stay lingering around them. Bass has a problem in clear water, so make sure to present it naturally. In dirty water, bass will hold tight to the shallow structure but occasionally hang above it.

Bass will have deep structural plans in lakes with shad populations and wait for shad to flow down to them to catch shad in the process. Bass remains to be caught, as do massive numbers of large catches.

Summer

It’s summertime, and fishing is easy if you follow these incredible tips for summer bass fishing. We have the experience and a comprehensive guide to our favorite summer bass fishing lures and techniques.

If we break down summer fishing, we could easily do an article on North, East, West, and South summer fishing, as they are all different. Based on air temps, in places like Stockton, CA, Florida, Texas, and others, they can get upward of 100%, while in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and others, they are much lower. Additionally, the water temps, especially in Florida, are shallow, and the water heats up quickly.

Unlike fisheries with deep water, the fish have a place to travel to seek cooler temperatures. With all that said, the summer can be the best. Bass has to eat every three days, so keep that in mind as you fish. Learning to change current conditions is the key to your summer fishing success.

It is essential to keep in mind this simple rule: You will always find your most success in the early morning and late afternoon. The week after the full moon will always be the worst in the summer due to heavy night feeding.

Winner

Remember that the bass has to eat every three days; the difference in the winter is that the fish’s metabolism is at an all-time low. That’s why you will always see anglers suggest using smaller baits. The bass digestive system can’t handle larger baits this time of the year. So, to keep your fishing simple, opt for smaller, lightweight lures.

What do we mean by that? Smaller, meaning no baits over 3.5 inches long. When we say lightweight, we mean your lure should not weigh more than 1/4 ounce but probably prefer a 1/8 to 1/16 ounce, so your lure has a slower fall in the water column.

Some good examples of winter bass baits should include a hair jig, lots of soft plastics, and shad rap baits 2 inches or less. When we quoted size, that total in length doesn’t add another 2-inch trailer to the end. It is not needed.

Remember, winter is about getting more bites. So, this time of the year, you need to get bits. By getting bits, you will also get some big bites, even if the baits are small.

Spring

Let’s discuss early spring; this time of the year can be the most challenging and rewarding season for bass fishing. In most locations, the bass migrates from the shallows, moving to a little deeper waters and falling baitfish. Spring starts feeding of bass back to a full plate of food. They begin by roaming shallow flats, points, and humps, tracking bass fish movement.

Then, follow the baitfish, and you will find the bass — once found, expect to catch additional after the first bass as they will be in a group. Fortunately, large bass is most vulnerable during the pre-spawn season; their trust for food doesn’t allow the best decision-making.

In this article, we have been trying to provide critical information to help you fill your tackle box of knowledge—the best spring bass fishing techniques for a successful spring fishing trip.

Not to be confusing, but spring bass fishing differs in many areas of the country. In Florida, it’s spawning and even port-spawning. During its pre-spawn season, bass migrates from wintering deep waters in New York, Pennsylvania. Then, start to move to shallow flats where they will spawn. Bass follow similar migration patterns in a lake, pond, river, or creek.

The fish will follow underwater canals, ditches, and ridges—what we call these superhighways—as they move toward the shallows. Depending on the size of the body of water, these migration routes can be a few dozen yards to over miles.

When does largemouth bass spawn?

Largemouth bass tends to be attracted to surface gravel, sand, and mud for spawning grounds. Nests are typically about twice as long as a male bass. They are usually black or white patches that shape. The male bass will defend the nest before the eggs hatch, although that does not depend on how fantastic the water is.

The species typically seek areas accessible to protect, such as near a rock, a rocky trunk, or a small group of bulrushes to grow in shallower waters and in areas that receive direct sunlight. The fish are often at least 10 feet from the shore in a water depth between 1 and 6 feet that receive direct sunlight in the region. So again, learning how to catch largemouth bass during the spawn is a big way to be successful.

How long does a largemouth bass live?

The growth rates of largemouth bass depend on various conditions, including the food supply and the surrounding environment. When in the best condition, they’re likely to gain two pounds within ten days. The average daily growth rate is around 0.5 pounds.

What does largemouth bass eat?

Adult bass found in larger lakes and reservoirs tends to have shallower water depths than younger bass. They also primarily eat small fish – shad, yellow perch shiners, sunfish – the younger members of larger fish species (catfish – trout, walleye – fish). If there is no cover in a lake, bass could completely eradicate their prey population and effectively starve themselves in the process. They can eat food that is more significant than 50% of their entire length and feed on alligator babies.

Live bait

Anglers catch bass more frequently when using bait. This is because largemouth bass could be feeding on bait usually. For this reason, baitfish and crawfish are consistently utilized for bass catching. Other common bait species are frogs and worms. Anglers can also use mice, salamanders, worms, and various larvae as bait to catch bass.

Live baits are most helpful in handling the presentation by drawing attention from the target fish without skepticism. As a rule of thumb, use anything commonly familiar in your local water as bait to attract a nonskeptic bass. Sometimes a bass doesn’t eat anything like you would before, but never say no to a wild shiner.

Artificial lures or Livebait

Final Thoughts

Why the mighty largemouth bass doesn’t reach 20, 30, or even 40 pounds like Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish, it still is recognized worldwide as the most popular sportfish species in the world. Even so, more and more anglers are returning to their childhood roots and pursuing this fun and abundant fish.

Not to difficult for youngsters to learn, but challenging enough even for hardened anglers to keep them guessing their techniques. If you’re interested in how to catch crappie, start with this article as well.

We hope the tips in this article get you outside, grab a fishing rod, and have some fun.

Mr Bass

Mr Bass

Mr Bass

Todd Kersey, widely known and labeled by Field & Stream as Mr. Bass, is a professional angler, accomplished author, and dedicated philanthropist with a lifelong passion for bass fishing. Armed with a degree in Outdoor travel, Mr. Bass has expertly combined his knowledge with his practical fishing experience to become one of the most respected names in the bass fishing, his deep understanding of bass habitats, and fish behavior has earned him numerous accolades as a asset of the sport. Serving 8 yrs as FWC Stakeholder Chair person. Leading and passing cutting edge legislative like the Black Bass Management plan, also successfully building, passing and financing the Trophy Catch program. As CEO he is committed to giving back to the community through his philanthropic efforts. He supports a variety of causes, especially those centered around physical disabilities. Through his advocacy, his mentorship programs inspire anglers to engage using fishing stewardship, helping to foster more than 18 million dollars in donations. Mr. Bass continues to inspire anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike with his commitment to the sport and the world around him.

4 Comments

  1. Name Rogelio

    Comment *Hola , Me Agradan mucho sus articulos y tips del Bass , soy un experimentado pescador de Bass y me gustaria mandar fotos de algunas buenas capturas , vivo en Monterrey N.L. Mexico , Asus ordenes y Saludos .

    • Name Rogelio

      Comment *Hola , Me Agradan mucho sus articulos y tips del Bass , soy un experimentado pescador de Bass y me gustaria mandar fotos de algunas buenas capturas , vivo en Monterrey N.L. Mexico , Asus ordenes y Saludos .

    • BASS ONLINE

      Hola, un millón de gracias por el mensaje y leer el artículo. Si desea enviar fotos, es mejor que las comparta en las redes sociales y nos etiquete. Gracias

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