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Largemouth Bass Fishing 101

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Summary: Bass fishing, like that for many of the predatory game fish species, can be separated into four distinct calendar periods: spring, summer, fall and winter. Fish location and movement is one of the paramount factors in each of these seasons principally because the fish are found in different habitats within each period.

Spring Time

Bass fishermen that frequently catch stringers full of fish are invariably very knowledgeable in the behavioral habits of bass during different seasons of the year and the relationship of these activities with bass location. Water temperature is undoubtedly the most important indicator of bass location and activity since it is more reliable than a calender due to seasonal weather variations from one year to the next. Catching bass at a particular location during late May one year will not necessarily assure you of success at the same time and location the following year. Thus, a thermometer is also one of the most important tools that a bass angler should possess.

Shortly after ice-out the water temperature is 38 to 40 degrees F. From ice-out until the water warms to about 52 degrees F, largemouth stay in deep water habitats. Look for submerged structure in deeper water, such as sunken islands, deep land points, and flooded creek channels. Deep water structures close to spawning areas are especially productive. Flowing water entering a lake is another prime location during this period. These incoming creek or tile flows are usually warmer, perhaps only a few degrees, than the lake temperature, but they attract many fish species. Bass are often "schooled" at this time; therefore, concentrate your effort in places that have produced bass.

Pre-Spawn And Spawn

The largemouth bass pre-spawn period starts when the water temperature ranges from 55 to 62 degrees F. This is the time that bass fishermen anxiously wait for. Bass move into the shallow waters, actively feed, and are particularly vulnerable to angling. Towards the end of the pre-spawn every bass in a body of water will be in the shallows and foraging. Catching bass is astonishingly easy at this time, and the odds of hooking a lunker is best since most trophy bass are females laden with eggs in the pre-spawn. Simply fish the structure along the shoreline -- any object that offers protective cover for bass.

Following this period, in the actual spawning season, fishing success drops off quickly. Male bass begin selecting and constructing nest sites when the water temperature reaches 60 degrees F. Bass are solitary, reclusive spawners, so don't expect to catch several at one locaton; individual nests are usually at least 35 feet apart. The females approach the nest only to engage in the act of spawning. Males are extraordinarily busy during this period, guarding the nest from all intruders and keeping the eggs free of silt. They guard the nest for a 10- to 14-day period while the eggs incubate and hatch. Males continue to protect the larvae for an additional 3 to 4 weeks as the fry feed on plankton in shallow waters. The male does not forage during this entire spawn and post-spawn period; however, they still are vulnerable to angling mainly because they protect the territory from all intruders, including lures or natural baits.

Female bass are quite inactive for about two weeks after spawning, during which time they feed very little. Following this recuperation period until summer arrives females utilize the same shallow water habitats occupied during the later portion of the pre-spawn period. The summer period has usually arrived by the time males have completed their parental protection activity.

Summer Time

Summertime can be a difficult period for bass fishing. This period is when the surface water temperature exceeds 75 degrees F. Bass continue foraging during the warmest water period, but they become increasingly more difficult to locate. Most bass avoid water that exceeds 80 degrees F and seek locations that range from 77 to 80 degrees F. Along with temperature, dissolved oxygen is a major factor in determining where bass are found during summer. Many lakes stratify at depths ranging from 6 to 20 feet, and below the stratification level there is no oxygen or fish. During this summer period bass move into shallow water near shore during the early morning, late evening, and night-time to feed. Temperature and light condition is least stressful during these hours. Largemouths are sight feeders, and they forage much more during low light and darkness than many anglers believe. Shaded water areas can be real bass hotspots in summer.

Largemouth bass forage most actively during twilight, dusk, and darkness during summer. Thus, major bass fishing efforts should coincide with these times. The best fishing strategy starts in shallow waters by fishing structures that are located near deep water which also contains structure. Bass that are loafing and resting in deep water during the day will move into the nearest shallow water structure that has food available during these periods of low-light intensity. Rip-rap along the dam, pockets and edges of aquatic vegetation beds, and other shoreline structure, all located in close proximity to deep water, will hold bass that are actively feeding and apt to take a bait or lure. If the lake you plan to fish has thermal stratification, it will be necessary to determine the depth of the thermocline. This can be accomplished in several ways, but the easiest is to consult local experts or use a minimum-maximum recording thermometer. Fish these areas in deeper waters during full light conditions. On lakes that do not stratify, fish the deeper water structures during daylight.

Fall Largemouth Bass Fishing

Locating bass after mid-September, when the water cools below 70 degrees F, is much more simple. By this time the bass have moved back into shallow water structures. Generally, the same shallow water structure areas that were productive in pre-spawn will also contain fish in autumn. As fall progresses and water temperature cools to the low to mid-50's, bass will again return to deep water habitats. Below 50 degrees F bass feeding is greatly reduced, and they become lethargic. Angling for bass will produce the occasional fish; however, consistent catches are now more difficult.