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