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