All About Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are typically olive green to greenish in color, with a series of dark blotches forming a horizontal stripe along both sides of their body.

Adult largemouth bass feed on fish, crayfish, and frogs. Younger bass feed on insects, crustaceans, and small fish.

The average size of a largemouth bass is around 15–16 inches, although they can grow much larger. The largest recorded largemouth bass measured over 38 inches in length.

Largemouth bass spawn in the spring.

Interesting Facts

Largemouth are a part of the sunfish family – Centrarchid – which means “nest builders”

Largemouth bass can swim as fast as 3 body lengths per second in bursts.

Largemouth bass have good vision and can see in color, but they cannot see directly below or behind them.

Largemouth bass are the state fish of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

Bass use their lateral lines to “hear” or detect sounds and vibrations from up to 100 feet away. Bass can only see for about 50 feet

The largest largemouth bass ever caught weighed 22.311 pounds and was caught using a live bluegill.

Largemouth bass scales grow as the fish ages and form growth rings.

A female largemouth bass can lay thousands of eggs, but only a small number survive to adulthood.

Habitat

Largemouth bass can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, creeks, and swamps.

They prefer areas with:

Sand, mud, or gravel bottoms for spawning
Vegetation and cover
Submerged logs and trees
Large rocks

Fallen trees, logs, and heavy cover provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass.

They are often found hiding in vegetation or structure, waiting to ambush prey.

Top Artificial Baits for Largemouth Bass

A natural presentation that bass tend to hold onto longer. Can be used with multiple rig setups.

Very effective around structure. Best used with a trailer and can be fished in many ways.

A great option for mimicking baitfish and covering water.

Effective for covering large areas and triggering reaction strikes.

The flash and vibration help attract bass from a distance.

Click on any rig below to see an illustration.

Texas Rig

Wacky Worm Rig

Drop Shot Rig

Carolina Rig

Top Live Baits for Largemouth Bass

Live bait can be very effective when fishing for Largemouth Bass. Make sure to always check your states regulations regarding live bait.

Bass love crayfish and many times you are allowed to catch them in the local streams and lake and use them.

Hellgrammites make excellent bass bait and last a long time. Be carful of the pinchers when handling.

Minnows and small sunfish can make excellent bait when fishing for largemouth bass.

Just about every fish loves a tasty worm and bass are no different.

Fish Fast N Easy bubble filled with water

Grab a bubble and troll your bait with the current and wind. Fill for different depths or use as a float.

Top Flies for Largemouth Bass

Watching your fly get hit by a Largemouth bass is very exciting and never gets old.

Probably the best Fly for bass. Poppers are fun to fish with and bass love them.

Top water frogs are also a good fly to use when fishing for largemouth

Deer hair mice with rubber legs are a good fun fly.

Woolly Buggers are excellent for Bass as they mimic minnows, leaches and underwater food.

Crayfish can be a solid choice for Largemouth bass.

Fishing Tip

Largemouth bass often stay close to cover. Focus your casts around vegetation, submerged structure, and shaded areas where bass are likely waiting to ambush prey.