advice needed!! im new to largemouth bass!
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little lakes mean shallow water. in the shallows the bass push minnows and other small fish close to the waters edge. ive caught bass in 6 inches of water! i use a light rated rod (4-8 pound test) with a bobber directly on the line. i tied a founder hook (long shank) directly to the line. i use live minnows and hook them under the dorsal, or through the lip. they swim rapidly under the water and the bass go crazy. small kastmasters minnows lures or jigheads also work. try berkley worms on a 1/8 head. its like snapper fishing, it all works!!
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Largemouth Bass
I kill the Largemouths by me. Live bait go with a minnow about 2 ft behind the bobber, I use a split shot to keep the bait down, let them eat and wham. Spinnebaits are always a good bet. try the terminator try varied speeds. I use 12 lb test, a lot of sharpies use 15lb or more. If a big bass gets in the weeds you have to horse him.
Glad I could finally share a little advice. you guys have been great with saltwater,
a transplanted Brooklyn boy, now in Orange Countyt
I kill the Largemouths by me. Live bait go with a minnow about 2 ft behind the bobber, I use a split shot to keep the bait down, let them eat and wham. Spinnebaits are always a good bet. try the terminator try varied speeds. I use 12 lb test, a lot of sharpies use 15lb or more. If a big bass gets in the weeds you have to horse him.
Glad I could finally share a little advice. you guys have been great with saltwater,
a transplanted Brooklyn boy, now in Orange Countyt
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1,754 Posts
This is a new lake to you so you have to learn it!I am sure that the Bass up in PA. are a litttle diff. then our bass here on the island.
First find out the contour of the lake you are to fish i.e.a map,ask the locals,do a little scouting.This will dictate what baits to use.
If you dont want to go though all that,you can not go wrong with plastics.They can be worked on the surface,the bottom,and all inbetween.I would start with a black or dark green 4 inch plastic worm on a size 2 lite-wire hook.
I would also cover alot of water with an in-line spinner.These lures catch a ton o diff. fish as well as bass......enjoy
First find out the contour of the lake you are to fish i.e.a map,ask the locals,do a little scouting.This will dictate what baits to use.
If you dont want to go though all that,you can not go wrong with plastics.They can be worked on the surface,the bottom,and all inbetween.I would start with a black or dark green 4 inch plastic worm on a size 2 lite-wire hook.
I would also cover alot of water with an in-line spinner.These lures catch a ton o diff. fish as well as bass......enjoy
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516 Posts
Largemouths on new lakes
Hey Sprolurelova,
Flukerr is right. You have to learn the lake. Contuor maps are good to give you an idea of depth and to locate possible drop offs. If you can't get one, look for clues at the lake itself. What's the grade of the shoreline? Any place where weeds seem to suddenly end a short distance from shore? (this can be a deadly area as bass can ambush bait in the weeds from deeper water). deadfalls, overhanging limbs (shade), rocky outcroppings, etc.
As stated before plastics work great. Texas rig a 6-8" plastic worm with a cone shaped sliding sinker, and you can get your offering through the thickest salad.
Also as stated, use bait. Minnows are tops for largemouths, but know what kind of minnow you will be using and its habits. I mostly fish the NYC reservoirs. The top bait is sawbellies (alewives). These are open water fish and will swim endlessly toward the surface. With a small split shot 18" above the hook and a 1/8 - 1/2 oz egg sinker your in business. Shiners on the otherhand will dive straight for the nearest cover and tangle you in it. If you use shiners go with the bobber method described above. Try a slip bobber if you need to get your offering deeper, but again beware of weeds, rocks, sticks, etc. as the shiner will have a longer range of mobility. Night crawlers will also work, but usually the sunnies and perch will find your bait before the bass.
Back to lures. Crankbaits are hard to beat esp. at gray light (dawn, dusk) and at night. Use of these will largely be dictated by how much weeds are around the shoreline.
Get yourself some Banjo minnows at walmart or someplace. If you've seen the infomercials, 'nuff said. Bass will smash these baits. I usually rig them with no weight at all and let them fall slowly to the bottom before jigging it back to the surface. Add a split shot above if necessary. Included in the kit are also insertable stick type sinkers.
On a final note, you mentioned above you have caught bass there before. What did you use? If it worked try it again. There is no bait or lure that works better than one you have had success with because you have confidence in it.
Hey Sprolurelova,
Flukerr is right. You have to learn the lake. Contuor maps are good to give you an idea of depth and to locate possible drop offs. If you can't get one, look for clues at the lake itself. What's the grade of the shoreline? Any place where weeds seem to suddenly end a short distance from shore? (this can be a deadly area as bass can ambush bait in the weeds from deeper water). deadfalls, overhanging limbs (shade), rocky outcroppings, etc.
As stated before plastics work great. Texas rig a 6-8" plastic worm with a cone shaped sliding sinker, and you can get your offering through the thickest salad.
Also as stated, use bait. Minnows are tops for largemouths, but know what kind of minnow you will be using and its habits. I mostly fish the NYC reservoirs. The top bait is sawbellies (alewives). These are open water fish and will swim endlessly toward the surface. With a small split shot 18" above the hook and a 1/8 - 1/2 oz egg sinker your in business. Shiners on the otherhand will dive straight for the nearest cover and tangle you in it. If you use shiners go with the bobber method described above. Try a slip bobber if you need to get your offering deeper, but again beware of weeds, rocks, sticks, etc. as the shiner will have a longer range of mobility. Night crawlers will also work, but usually the sunnies and perch will find your bait before the bass.
Back to lures. Crankbaits are hard to beat esp. at gray light (dawn, dusk) and at night. Use of these will largely be dictated by how much weeds are around the shoreline.
Get yourself some Banjo minnows at walmart or someplace. If you've seen the infomercials, 'nuff said. Bass will smash these baits. I usually rig them with no weight at all and let them fall slowly to the bottom before jigging it back to the surface. Add a split shot above if necessary. Included in the kit are also insertable stick type sinkers.
On a final note, you mentioned above you have caught bass there before. What did you use? If it worked try it again. There is no bait or lure that works better than one you have had success with because you have confidence in it.
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