Largemouth bass fishing tips

Back in 1932, George Perry landed a 22 1/4 pound largemouth bass in a small Georgia lake, and the record hasn’t been broken yet. Thousands of fishermen try zealously each year to top Perry’s catch, but some anglers are convinced that the Georgia fish was one of a kind. Many bucketmouths have come close, however, and a fisherman in California reports a 25-lb largemouth, with witnesses and photos. Unfortunately, the bass was weighed on an uncertified scale. Supposedly, the angler who breaks the old record will become an instant millionaire and be named to the Fishing Hall of Fame. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know that hooking a big largemouth is one of the most exciting events you’ll ever experience on a fishing trip. During all my years of fishing, I’ve never encountered anything in fresh water that could equal the flying leaps, the sizzling runs, and the sheer power of a lunker bass.

Largemouth facts

The largemouth bass, a member of the sunfish family, was originally found only in the Eastern U.S., but because of its popularity, it has been introduced worldwide. It spawns in spring, when water temperatures reach around 72 degrees. The smaller male uses his tail and fins to fan out a depression in sand or gravel in shallow water in order to entice a female. The female will lay about a million eggs in a season. The male viciously protects the eggs and fry until they leave the nest.
The best time to catch a largemouth is in the summer when the fish are especially active. In warm weather, the fish are usually found in less than five feet of water. If you’re taking a fishing trip in late fall or winter, the fish will be seeking deeper water, but they’re rarely found in depths greater than 20 feet. Largemouth can be caught any time of day, but in the hot summer months, they are more likely to feed early in the morning and late evening. In the colder months, more bass will be caught in the warmest part of the day.
When searching for largemouth, keep two things in mind: cover and structure. That’s where you’ll find them. Structure refers to the bottom of the lake or pond, like drop-offs or channels. Cover includes things like piers, sunken logs, or weeds - anywhere baitfish might hide.

Lures or live bait?

The best lures for largemouth include poppers, crankbaits, walking baits, prop baits, and a number of plastic baits resembling the bass’s natural foods, like frogs, lizards, worms, and crawfish. Some lures are designed to make noises like “rattles” to entice the temperamental largemouth by angering it into a strike. The retrieve depends on the type of lure used and the time of year you’re taking your fishing trip. For example, in the colder months, you need to use a slow retrieve because the fish’s metabolism is decreased. In warmer months, a faster, erratic retrieve will result in more strikes.
Many bass experts agree that natural live baits are more effective than lures. Golden shiners are probably the all-time favorite among veteran anglers. When pursuing huge trophy bass, shiners up to 12 inches long are used. To hook the baitfish, insert the hook into the V in the throat and push it up, exiting through the snout. If you want the shiner to dive into deeper water, hook it in the back between the dorsal and caudal fins. Another popular live bait is the nightcrawler. Some fishermen “wad” the worm up on the hook like a pretzel, hooking it in several places. You want the bait to look like it does in its natural state, so just hook it once - in the head. Another good live bait is a crawfish, which should be hooked in the tail to allow it to move freely.
On your next bass fishing trip, take along several different types of baits, including lures in different colors and patterns. Bass are sometimes finicky and will often ignore some baits while they’ll voraciously attack another. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and have one of those days when the fish are hitting whatever you put in the water. According to biologists, largemouth bass are intelligent, at least compared to other species of fish. While some fish will repeatedly strike the same type of lure over and over, largemouths will not. Once they’re hooked by a particular lure, the same fish won’t strike the lure again in the same day. Again, this is according to the ichthyologists.

Dinner: Cajun Lime-Baked Bass

Once you land your bass, please release it if you don’t plan to eat it. If your fishing trip includes a celebratory fish dinner, you’re in for a treat. Bass have a white flaky flesh, with a mild flavor. They can be baked, fried, broiled, poached, or grilled. The best way to fry bass fillets is to heat peanut oil to about 360 degrees. Rinse the fillets and pat dry. Dip in an egg wash (a beaten egg and milk) and dredge in flour seasoned with salt, pepper, and seasoning salt. Cook until browned and drain on several layers of paper towels. Or try my original recipe that I call Cajun Lime-Baked Bass:
1 whole bass, scaled and gutted (use a three-five pounder)
1 medium onion, sliced
2 limes, sliced
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup white wine (I use white zinfandel, but you might like a drier wine)
garlic salt
cajun seasoning
olive oil
1 stick butter, melted
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rinse bass and lightly coat with olive oil, inside and out. Sprinkle garlic salt and cajun seasoning all over fish and inside cavity. Place onion and lime slices in cavity and on top of fish. Place in greased metal foil-lined baking dish. Pour lime juice and wine over fish and bake for about 50-60 minutes for a five-pound fish, or about 40 minutes for a three-pound fish. Drizzle with melted butter and return to oven. Broil just until brown. This added touch makes an attractive dish for guests. A 5-lb fish will feed 4 or 5 folks.