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