Largemouth Bass
LOCATIONS
BODIES OF WATER
Largemouth bass, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights, can be found in various bodies of water across the Southwest region of the United States. Anglers seeking the thrill of catching largemouth bass have a wide range of habitats to explore, including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and ponds. While the following bodies of water are popular for largemouth bass fishing, it's important to note that they can be found in many other locations:
Arizona: Roosevelt Lake, Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Alamo Lake. Largemouth bass can be found in abundance in these Arizona lakes, particularly around submerged vegetation, rocky structures, and brush piles. Target shallow coves, points, and creek channels for a chance to catch trophy-sized bass.
California: Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, Castaic Lake, San Joaquin Delta. Clear Lake is renowned for its excellent largemouth bass fishery, offering opportunities to catch both quantity and quality bass. Look for them in shallow areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, tules, and docks. Lake Berryessa and Castaic Lake also hold good populations of largemouth bass, with prime spots near submerged structures and deep drop-offs.
Nevada: Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake. Largemouth bass can be found in Nevada's lakes, offering exciting angling experiences. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave provide opportunities to catch bass near rocky shorelines, submerged brush, and coves. Lake Tahoe offers scenic beauty and quality bass fishing along rocky points, drop-offs, and near submerged logs. Pyramid Lake is known for its trophy-sized bass, which can be targeted near rocky structures and submerged ledges.
New Mexico: Elephant Butte Lake, Ute Lake, Navajo Lake, Conchas Lake. Elephant Butte Lake is a popular destination for largemouth bass anglers, with opportunities to catch bass in shallow coves, around submerged vegetation, and rocky points. Ute Lake offers productive bass fishing near submerged timber, rocky ledges, and drop-offs. Navajo Lake provides bass fishing opportunities along rocky shorelines and near underwater structures. Conchas Lake is known for its bass fishery, with prime spots near submerged vegetation and rocky areas.
STRUCTURE/HABITAT
Largemouth bass thrive in a variety of aquatic environments and are known for their adaptability. They prefer areas with abundant vegetation such as submerged grass, lily pads, or aquatic weeds, as these provide cover and serve as ambush points for hunting. Look for largemouth bass near structures such as fallen trees, rock formations, or docks. They also frequent areas with drop-offs, points, and underwater ledges.
PATTERNS
SPRING
During the spring, largemouth bass move to shallow waters to spawn and feed. Look for them near shorelines, in coves, or around vegetation. They are more active and aggressive during this time, making it an excellent season for largemouth bass fishing. Use a variety of baits and lures such as plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or topwater lures to entice strikes.
SUMMER
In the summer months, largemouth bass seek cooler, shaded areas and deeper waters. Look for them near submerged structures, drop-offs, or around weed beds. Early mornings and late evenings can be productive times to target largemouth bass during this season. Use a variety of lures including jigs, soft plastic creature baits, swimbaits, or topwater lures to trigger strikes.
FALL
As fall arrives, largemouth bass actively feed to prepare for the winter. Look for them near areas with abundant food sources such as baitfish schools, rocky points, or creek mouths. They may also move to shallower waters as the temperatures cool down. Use a mix of baitfish imitations, crankbaits, jerkbaits, or spinnerbaits to mimic the prey and trigger strikes from hungry largemouth bass.
WINTER
During the winter months, largemouth bass become less active and tend to move to deeper, more stable waters. Look for them near submerged structures, channels, or areas with slower currents. Fish with slower presentations using jigs, soft plastic baits, or suspending jerkbaits to entice strikes from lethargic largemouth bass.
BAIT
Largemouth bass are known to be opportunistic feeders and can be enticed by a variety of bait options. Here are some effective bait choices for targeting largemouth bass:
Live Bait
Live bait can be incredibly effective in enticing largemouth bass to bite. Common live bait options include:
Minnows: Use small to medium-sized minnows, such as shiners or fathead minnows, rigged on a hook with or without a bobber. Allow the minnows to swim freely to attract the attention of bass.
Nightcrawlers: Rig a lively nightcrawler on a hook, either with a weight or under a bobber, and present it near underwater structures or along drop-offs. The natural movement of the worm can be irresistible to hungry bass.
Crawfish: If crawfish are present in the waterbody, using them as live bait can be highly effective. Look for crawfish under rocks or use a bait trap to catch them. Rig them on a hook and allow them to scuttle along the bottom.
Artificial Baits
Artificial lures can mimic the movement and appearance of natural prey, attracting the attention of largemouth bass. Here are some popular options:
Plastic Worms: Plastic worms, such as senkos or ribbon-tail worms, rigged Texas or Carolina style, can be deadly for largemouth bass. Experiment with different colors and sizes to find what works best in your fishing area.
Jigs: Jigs are versatile lures that can be fished in various depths and structures. Pair a jig with a soft plastic trailer, such as a crawfish or creature bait, and work it along the bottom, mimicking the movement of prey.
Crankbaits: Crankbaits imitate injured baitfish and can be effective for covering a lot of water. Choose crankbaits that match the depth and color of the water you're fishing. Vary the retrieve speed and pauses to trigger strikes.
Spinnerbaits: Spinnerbaits have spinning blades that create flash and vibration, attracting the attention of largemouth bass. Retrieve them near submerged structures or along weed edges to entice strikes.
Topwater Lures: Topwater lures, such as poppers, buzzbaits, or frogs, can create explosive strikes from aggressive bass. Use them during low-light conditions or when bass are feeding near the surface.