Big largemouth bass tend to lurk the dirtiest looking sections of water rather than the clear open water. Big bass drive many anglers crazy because they will hide out in the middle of thick cover, not along the edge like some one to two-pounders.
Where is the biggest bass in the lake?
Whether it’s the steep side of a point, a nearby creek channel swing or a river bend, big bass congregate in these areas. While they can be inactive and fairly unmolested in deep water, these areas allow them to slide up and feed without exerting much effort.
What bait catches the biggest bass?
Now, for the three best lures for catching a 10-pound bass.
- Big Plastic Worms. It’s hard to beat a good plastic worm. Image by Joe Balog.
- Swimbaits. Both hard-body and soft swimbaits work on big bass, east and west.
- Punch Baits. Punch baits need a compact profile and heavy tungsten weight to penetrate matted vegetation.
How deep can a bass go?
During the height of summer, bass may move as deep as 15 or 20 feet, especially in clear water.
How do you fish for big mouth bass?
Bass spend most of their time in lakes and rivers with plentiful fresh water. They tend to congregate in mossy, sheltered areas to prey on smaller fish, such as minnows. The best time to fish for bass is May through July, using minnows, crayfish, night crawlers, jigs, crank baits and spinner baits.
How do you target a large bass?
You’ll generally want to avoid spinnerbaits and swimbaits and go with topwater frogs, worms, crankbaits, or jigs. Anglers may have success in their usual spots using big baits and a slow presentation to attract the bigger fish in the area.
Do bigger bass live in deeper water?
Smallmouths and spotted bass tend to hang deeper than largemouths do, but truly deep water can harbor some of the biggest bucketmouths in a lake. Bass in all waters can use deep water throughout the year, but the dirtier lakes with a moderate to heavy stain will hold a larger population of bass.
Are there big bass in every pond?
Believe it or not, not every pond you come across will hold bass. Most will but you can’t assume they all do. The best way to determine if a pond has bass is by catching them. You can also look for the presence of small bass swimming near the surface.
How common is 10lb bass?
Largemouths over 10 pounds are extremely rare, and it takes the right conditions to grow them. While largemouth bass are found in all 50 states (yes, there are recorded catches in Alaska), giant bass are found mostly in the South, where they have longer feeding seasons and an abundance of forage.
Where do bass go when its hot?
Bass fish, especially largemouths, also love hanging around in vegetation or deep brush. These areas serve as a hideaway during the summer commotion and heat. Key spots in vegetation to go for include inside turns, points, and hard structures intersecting the weed line. In these areas, you will find many hiding bass.
Is bass fishing good at night?
On any given day, nighttime offers some of the best opportunity for catching a big bass. Fishing bass in the dark is a favorite for many in the know because the action can be outstanding after the sun finally sets and there’s a good chance at catching some of the biggest bass in any given lake across North America.
What month is best for bass fishing?
April is the best month to fish for bass. Depending on your region, bass may just be starting to come out from their winter depths or already well into spawn.
What eats a largemouth bass?
Snakes, alligators and turtles all eat bass, as well as other fish species. For the former, they must be small enough to swallow. Gators, meanwhile, often prefer larger, slower fish, such as the carp or gar. The alligator snapping turtle is the most interesting of the reptilian bass predators.
Where do bass usually hide?
Look for weed beds, docks, and bridges. Bass will hang out just outside the entrances to shallow coves if there’s a quick drop-off. Also look for any submerged trees, logs, rocks, etc. Once the water starts cooling in the fall, bass will aggressively chase down schools of baitfish.
Do bass remember being caught?
We’ve found through our studies that fish do have a memory. “For example, if a bass is caught on a spinnerbait one day, it’s almost impossible to catch that fish on the same lure the next day.
What colors do bass see?
Color is an obvious factor when choosing a lure. Let your experience be your guide, but listen to the science, too. Bass see colors as bright, green, red and dark—and that’s about it.
How do I know if my pond has big bass?
If your rate of catch is high but your bass haul consists almost exclusively of specimens in the 8-12 inch range while bluegill and other prey fish are on the larger side, you have an overpopulation of small bass. You may notice that the fish you catch are thin as well.
Where do the biggest bass live?
Fallen trees, big rocks, bridge pilings, weed clumps, even garbage like an old chair — if it blocks current, bass dwell around it. As waves wash away the shore over the years, trees topple into lakes and rivers. Bass typically prefer horizonal cover, especially with overhead protection, and laydowns offer both.
What time of day are bass most active?
Without question, the best time of day to fish for bass is at night. Bass are known to feed more heavily at night than during any other time of day. Not only is night the best time to fish for bass due to bass being more active, there are often fewer anglers and less commotion on the waterways during the evening hours.
How far will bass travel in a lake?
Another study found that over 90% of the bass tagged and released moved a great distance, many traveled up to 16 miles away. This supports what I found in my study on Lake Eufaula. Some bass would be caught by anglers near where we released the fish while others would show up miles away at the other end of the lake.
Where do big bass hang out in ponds?
“Most of the time, regardless of water depth or clarity, if there’s vegetation in a pond, this is where the bass will be. They love to hang in grass or moss or weeds, and anglers must use baits that will penetrate this cover effectively.”