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