Largemouth Bass

BlueStemLakeHomeowners.org - Largemouth Bass

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Updated: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 10:07 PM

Blue Stem Lake Homeowners Association, Inc. - Oklahoma City, OK

Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides

Rod/Reel: 12-20 Lb. class
Hook Size: 2/0-5/0
Leader: None
Fishing Mode: Cast

Facts – Largemouth bass are the most sought after game fish in Oklahoma. A highly predatory fish, they will strike an assortment of artificial lures as well as natural bait. Because they help control smaller sunfish populations, the "overharvest" of bass (removing too many), especially on small lakes and ponds, should be avoided. Some Oklahoma lakes have size limits on bass to protect them from overharvest. Check local as well as state regulations for possible size limits before fishing an unfamiliar lake.

Habitat – Bass can be found in relatively shallow water, two to eight feet deep, during the cooler spring and fall months. During the summer, bass often move into the shallows at night to feed. However, when the sun’s rays are intense, and during the cold winter months, anglers should concentrate their searches for bass in deep water.

Natural Food Sources – Crustaceans, insects, crayfish, frogs and fish.

Spawning – Spawning activities begin as water temperatures reach 62 to 65 degrees F. (April and May in Oklahoma). Nests are fanned out by males, usually within 10 feet of the shoreline. Females then deposit 2,000 to 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight in the nest. After fertilization, the male drives the female and any other intruders from the nest until the eggs hatch and the fry leave. Fry swim in schools until reaching a length of approximately 1 inch.

Biologist’s Tips
Bass almost always relate to some type of cover, including stumps, logs, brush, weeds, boat docks, drop-offs and creek channels. When fish are active, lures such as spinnerbaits, topwater plugs and crankbaits are good choices. If bass are pressured or if weather changes have "turned them off," jig and pork-rind combinations, plastic worms and grubs usually generate the most strikes.

Use dark lures in dark (muddy) water and light lures in light (clear) water.

Use larger, dark-colored lures at night.

Try to fish spots other anglers might overlook, like a cluster of rocks along a tree-lined bank or a small log along a stretch of rip-rap.

Topwater plugs can be lethal early and late in the day, but they also will catch bass during the middle of the day -- in fact, anytime the fish are active. Don’t let a little chop on the water stop you from trying a topwater, either.

When using plastic worms in warm water, fish slow. You can fish too fast, but never too slow.

Many bass anglers recommend using pork-rind trailers for jigs whenever water temperatures are below 65-70 degrees. When water temperatures are above 70 degrees, they switch to plastic trailers.

Unfortunately many anglers retire their baitcasts for the winter when fall arrives. Yet this is when bass fishing’s "second spring" just begins. When the water temperature dips into the 60s in October, most lakes become less crowded with visitors, but bass are actively feeding in shallow water. Concentrate your efforts on windy points in the fall, where black bass are feeding on schools of three-inch shad.

When using a plastic worm in heavy timber, thread a piece of rubber band inside the slip sinker with your line. This prevents the sinker from sliding up the line, yet is still removable when necessary. This technique is commonly called "pegging" the line. With the slip sinker up against your worm, the chances of hang-ups in heavy cover are greatly reduced.

Finally, if fishing pressure is intense or the action is particularly slow, try something off-beat or unusual. Try to present the fish with something they haven’t already seen 10 times. This can be accomplished by varying your retrieve, such as changing speed or using an erratic, stop-and-go pattern.

Factoids:
Reaches a record weight of 22 pounds 4 ounces.

Click to see a larger image (60 Kb)

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BlueStemLakeHomeowners.org - Largemouth Bass
Home	Updated: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 10:07 PM
Blue Stem Lake Homeowners Association, Inc. - Oklahoma City, OK

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides
	Rod/Reel: 12-20 Lb. class Hook Size: 2/0-5/0 Leader: None Fishing Mode: Cast
Facts – Largemouth bass are the most sought after game fish in Oklahoma. A highly predatory fish, they will strike an assortment of artificial lures as well as natural bait. Because they help control smaller sunfish populations, the "overharvest" of bass (removing too many), especially on small lakes and ponds, should be avoided. Some Oklahoma lakes have size limits on bass to protect them from overharvest. Check local as well as state regulations for possible size limits before fishing an unfamiliar lake.
Habitat – Bass can be found in relatively shallow water, two to eight feet deep, during the cooler spring and fall months. During the summer, bass often move into the shallows at night to feed. However, when the sun’s rays are intense, and during the cold winter months, anglers should concentrate their searches for bass in deep water.
Natural Food Sources – Crustaceans, insects, crayfish, frogs and fish.
Spawning – Spawning activities begin as water temperatures reach 62 to 65 degrees F. (April and May in Oklahoma). Nests are fanned out by males, usually within 10 feet of the shoreline. Females then deposit 2,000 to 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight in the nest. After fertilization, the male drives the female and any other intruders from the nest until the eggs hatch and the fry leave. Fry swim in schools until reaching a length of approximately 1 inch.
Biologist’s Tips Bass almost always relate to some type of cover, including stumps, logs, brush, weeds, boat docks, drop-offs and creek channels. When fish are active, lures such as spinnerbaits, topwater plugs and crankbaits are good choices. If bass are pressured or if weather changes have "turned them off," jig and pork-rind combinations, plastic worms and grubs usually generate the most strikes.

	Use dark lures in dark (muddy) water and light lures in light (clear) water.
	Use larger, dark-colored lures at night.
	Try to fish spots other anglers might overlook, like a cluster of rocks along a tree-lined bank or a small log along a stretch of rip-rap.
	Topwater plugs can be lethal early and late in the day, but they also will catch bass during the middle of the day -- in fact, anytime the fish are active. Don’t let a little chop on the water stop you from trying a topwater, either.
	When using plastic worms in warm water, fish slow. You can fish too fast, but never too slow.
	Many bass anglers recommend using pork-rind trailers for jigs whenever water temperatures are below 65-70 degrees. When water temperatures are above 70 degrees, they switch to plastic trailers.
	Unfortunately many anglers retire their baitcasts for the winter when fall arrives. Yet this is when bass fishing’s "second spring" just begins. When the water temperature dips into the 60s in October, most lakes become less crowded with visitors, but bass are actively feeding in shallow water. Concentrate your efforts on windy points in the fall, where black bass are feeding on schools of three-inch shad.
	When using a plastic worm in heavy timber, thread a piece of rubber band inside the slip sinker with your line. This prevents the sinker from sliding up the line, yet is still removable when necessary. This technique is commonly called "pegging" the line. With the slip sinker up against your worm, the chances of hang-ups in heavy cover are greatly reduced.
	Finally, if fishing pressure is intense or the action is particularly slow, try something off-beat or unusual. Try to present the fish with something they haven’t already seen 10 times. This can be accomplished by varying your retrieve, such as changing speed or using an erratic, stop-and-go pattern.