| Ready to join the growing number of sportsmen who | | | | because these waters do not contain the plankton and |
| have set their sights on catching that big bass? | | | | algae that they like to feed on.On the other hand, |
| Thousands of new anglers are gearing up to hit the | | | | Southern lakes, especially shallow ones, breed some |
| lakes, streams and rivers in search of the largemouth | | | | of the largest bass in North America. In these lakes, |
| bass. This magnificent game fish can be as elusive as | | | | the bass will congregate in the shallows around the |
| that winning lottery ticket.Bass are part of the sunfish | | | | weedy and reedy areas. It's around these areas that |
| family. Other members of this species include spotted | | | | you have the greatest probability for a strike, so cast |
| bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, and | | | | your bait or lure in that direction.StreamsStreams are |
| pumpkinseed fish. These bass, including the largemouth, | | | | often overlooked as a source for good bass fishing. |
| are identified as warm water bass or black bass. | | | | They can be a great place to also find smallmouth |
| Because of its "spirited" nature on the line, the | | | | bass, which prefer cooler waters over the larger and |
| largemouth bass is a favorite game fish for the casual | | | | warmer bodies of water. The same principles apply in |
| weekend angler, as well as, the tournament | | | | streams as in ponds - look for the sunken structures |
| fisherman.As a new angler, your greatest challenge will | | | | and along the steep banks. Anywhere that the weed |
| be locating the "hideouts" of the largemouth bass. | | | | beds change into rocky areas is an excellent location |
| What makes the bass such a great game fish is that | | | | to find bass. One note of caution: bass will not |
| they are hard to predict. They are sensitive to | | | | congregate in flowing water, so don't waste your time |
| environmental and seasonal changes. As water | | | | in the middle of the stream in the current flow. Cast |
| temperatures or levels change, so will their resting | | | | your line where the current is blocked, like large rocks |
| places. Other factors affecting their location might be | | | | of downed trees. This is where the large bass will be |
| season, weather conditions, amount of daylight, and | | | | hiding out.For the new angler, practice makes perfect. |
| food availability.So, where is the best place to find the | | | | You don't need to start your fishing career on the big |
| big "Kahuna" of bass? Different bodies of water will | | | | lakes. Try the smaller ponds to get accustomed to |
| yield different results. Let's take a look at | | | | your new gear and to start to master your casting |
| each:PondsPonds can yield satisfactory results, but the | | | | and retrieval techniques. Try different baits and see |
| bass tend to be small to medium in size. Weeds and | | | | how they feel on the end of your line. Determine |
| reeds are the natural habitat of bass. When fishing | | | | whether a spinner, streamer, soft bait or crankbait |
| ponds, look for areas of weed beds near the shore. | | | | works best for you.Trust me - you will catch plenty of |
| Bass will tend to congregate near or in these weedy | | | | bass along the way. They may not all be trophy |
| areas, but also like to hide around sunken logs, large | | | | winners, but you will learn to get a "feel" for a bass on |
| rocks, or deep holes.LakesNatural lakes must be | | | | the line. To help you gain a better feel for the fish, try |
| divided into two categories - lakes in the Southern | | | | using an ultra light combination rod and reel. Even the |
| states and lakes in the Northern states. The lakes in | | | | one pounders feel like trophy fish, and the experience |
| the north tend to have a wide array of topography - | | | | you gain will be priceless.Buck Wilson writes articles for |
| rock bluffs, weed beds, holes, sunken logs, reefs, | | | | sports publications and online newsletters. He is an avid |
| islands and reeds. Bass aren't as plentiful in these lakes | | | | sportsman and fisherman. |