| There are several huge behavioral differences | | | | while it is dropping in the water not while I |
| between Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. In a | | | | am retrieving it. |
| lake you generally find Smallmouth Bass in | | | | |
| deep and rocky sections of the lake. | | | | Submerged weedlines are another great place |
| Largemouth Bass on the other hand prefer | | | | to hunt for Largemouth Bass, especially |
| weedy portions of the lake. Largemouth Bass | | | | during the hotter summer months. I look for |
| also for much of the year can be found in | | | | two things when fishing these areas, which |
| much shallower water than Smallmouth Bass | | | | typically are in about 8 foot deep water. |
| typically prefer. In rivers Smallmouth Bass | | | | |
| are found more in the fast current, | | | | I like a weedline that has quick access to |
| especially near rocks or near creek mouths. | | | | both shallow and deep water. Largemouth Bass |
| Largemouth Bass on the other hands prefer | | | | have much more to feed on in shallower water. |
| slower moving water and are often found | | | | An area that offers the fish varied |
| inhabiting weedy backwater areas of the | | | | opportunities to feed is much more likely to |
| river. | | | | hold Bass than other areas. Remember 95% of |
| | | | the Largemouth Bass are in 5% of the water in |
| To catch Largemouth Bass you need to use | | | | a given lake. The most important factor in |
| baits that work well in weeds and trees, both | | | | fishing success is choosing the right |
| standing and fallen timber. The spinnerbait | | | | location. |
| fits both these criteria. In my life I have | | | | |
| only caught one Smallmouth Bass on a | | | | The second area I like to fish when fishing a |
| spinnerbait but have caught hundreds of | | | | deeper weedline is near a shoreline point. |
| Largemouth Bass. | | | | It is always good to fish deeper water near |
| | | | shorelines, but if you are near a point it is |
| The spinnerbait is versatile bait that can be | | | | even better. When I say a point I am |
| fished many different ways. A favorite | | | | referring to the land on shore extending out |
| northern lake of mine has a large section of | | | | into the water. If you looked at it from |
| lily pads that holds Largemouth Bass. | | | | above it would look like a finger or a large |
| | | | triangle with a rounded point. |
| The trick is finding where exactly the Bass | | | | |
| are. With a spinnerbait you can fish many | | | | My preferred method of fishing these areas is |
| different ways. In this situation I have | | | | with a crankbait. You must pick a crankbait |
| positioned my boat where I could retrieve the | | | | that cruises at the proper water depth. In |
| spinnerbait along the edge of the pads, | | | | this case right above the weeds. A crankbait |
| trying to entice the Bass holding on the | | | | is hardly weedless, if you choose a deep |
| outer edge of the pads near deeper water. I | | | | diver you will constantly be pulling weed of |
| typically start retrieving the bait with the | | | | you lure and not have much success for fun. |
| top foot of the water surface. If I do not | | | | Try different colors and body styles as well. |
| have success I then allow the bait to drop | | | | |
| about 3 feet and try the area again. | | | | When the crankbait does not work I next turn |
| | | | to the old reliable jig. You can fish a jig |
| Often you will see Largemouth Bass feeding | | | | in many ways. You can fish it bare or you can |
| right in the middle of the weeds or in this | | | | put something on the back of it. I have used |
| case the lily pads. The spinnerbait allows | | | | live bait, pork rinds, twister tails and |
| you to reach these Bass as well. It is | | | | plastic skirts on jigs with great results. |
| important that you have a strong rod and | | | | You can also fish this bait in many different |
| powerful reel for this type of fishing. I | | | | ways. You can retrieve it slow or fast. Or |
| like to cast the spinnerbait direct in the | | | | you can simply allow it to hit the bottom and |
| weeds and pull it through quickly. Often it | | | | slowly bounce it about. I like to fish in |
| will land on a lily pad. When this happens I | | | | this manner and have found many strikes come |
| pull it off gently and prepare for a strike. | | | | as the jig is sinking to the bottom. The |
| A large portion of the Bass I catch when | | | | freefalling jig with a skirt is often |
| fishing this method attack the spinnerbait | | | | something a Largemouth Bass cannot pass up. |