Finding Largemouth

[Miller's Ferry 8]

Where I fish I have no trouble catching two to four pound Kentucky Spots, but I have trouble finding big largemouth. The spots are always stacked out on points and flats on the main river drop but the largemouth dont seem to be there. (In the summer anyways) I can't find the largemouth in slews either. The only big largemouths I have caught has been in the grass at dawn. After that they seem to disappear. Any suggestions?

[WRB]

4 lb Kentucky (northern) spot is a big spot! You may have Alabama river (southern) spots where you fish.

Both smallmouth and spots prefer current or moving water and deeper rocky areas than LMB where both species co-exist. However LMB will locate in deep rocky structure zones if there is an abundance of baitfsih or crawdads available. Spots are far more aggressive than LMB, so I would slow down your presentations and up size the lures. 5" to 6" swimbaits, jig and craw w/5" trailer, larger crankbaits, longer soft plastic worms etc. Fish deeper weed breaks and slower, thats my suggestion.

Tom

[Miller's Ferry 8]

My mistake. It was Alabama spotted bass i was catching. I thought there was only one type of spot. But yeah they are very fun to catch when you hook up with one that size. Today I went to the same spot and fishing was slow today but I caught two spots around two and a half pounds each and one LMB around three. The Large mouth came on a slow retrieve with my crankbait like you said. Unfortunantely, I didn't get your comment till now but you were right regardless. The reason I want to catch more LMB is because a friend of mine is catching 4 and 5 pounders on a regular basis but he won't share his secrets or fishing spots.

[roadwarrior]

Are you fishing Lake Martin? If so, that is ruined with spots.

[Sam]

You have to read, read and read some more about largemouth bass.

You have to learn all you can about your enemy.

You have to learn their habits and what they do in different water clarity, water temperature, barometric pressure, time of the year and the weather conditions.

Bass, all over the world, do the same thing. Some have their own "milk run" while others stay shallow but close to deep water. All like the safety of brush, structure and other items on the bottom. A change in the bottom from sand to clay or big rocks to little rocks will attract large mouth bass.

Go to Woo Daves web page and read everyone of his articles, www.woodaves.com. Check out what Kevin Van Dam, Skeet Reese, Ike, Aaron Martens and others have to say on their web pages.

Also check out YouTube for information on fishing for largemouth bass. Suscribe to Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits email subscription, ezine@baits.com.

Read all of the articles found on this site.

Join B.A.S.S. and get their magazine. Suscribe to Bassin' and Bass Anglers Magazine plus Bass Times.

If you can, purchase these classic videos: Bigmouth; Bigmouth Forever; and The Feeding Habits of Bass.

When you hit 16 try to locate a local bass club that will allow you to join. It is worth the money and you will learn a lot about bass fishing from local guys. Plus you will enter the Alabama bass fishing industry where you will meet lots of men and women in all fishing professions that can give you suggestions. This is a must if you want to be successful as you grow up in Bama Land. Get to know as many people you can meet at tackle shops, marinas, bass clubs, wholesalers, distributors, Nick Saban, Alabama and Awbunn biology profs who teach fisheries science (Awbunn is a Sea Grant University).

Check out the Sea Grant Universities on the Internet and note of any are nearby. Then contact the profs for their input. They will be happy to help you and try to get you interested in biology and fisheries science so you can enroll in their programs when you go to college.

And hit the water as much as possible and practice, practice, practice.

You will become a super bass fisherman and a very nice young man. Then you can apply to LSU for a great education with some beautiful coeds!!!!!! (Geaux Tigers!)

[Miller's Ferry 8]

Roadwarrior- Well its down river from Lake Martin. This lake is formed by the Alabama River. Lake Martin is way up river but yeah 90% of our fish are spots.

Sam- Well I'm 20 and I have a hard time finding a partner to fish with. Everyone has a "set" partner already that they fish every tourney with. And Roll Tide!!! haha

[Sam]

Roll Tide!

[T_Nix35]

Sam- I liked the information you gave out! Very helpful i will look into this stuff for myself. I too am having a trouble finding the "big" bass right now i can only connect with 1-2 pounders and it is very frustrating!! So thanks for the post it really helps me a lot.

Oh and by the way

WOO PIG SOOOIE!!!!!

[WRB]

I will add this thought; don't over think bass fishing, instead enjoy your time on the water.

Tournament bass anglers are confined to where they can fish, the times they can fish and rules about what they can fish with. Study tournament anglers if that is what you plan to do. Catching bigger bass is all about knowing where they are located and what they are feeding on.

I will suggest 1 book to read; In Pursuit of Giant Bass by Bill Murphy.

Tom

[Miller's Ferry 8]

Thanks WRB! I will look into getting that book.

[Kimist]

I have the same problem. Can't seem to catch the larger fish. Lots of spots. I have tried fishing the creeks, out of the current, but not much luck. I fish soft plastics almost exclusively, as that's what I have confidence in, and so does my usual partner. I've read lots of the articles here for some time, but most don't seem to address the population of spotted bass we have. They fight like mad and are fun to catch, for sure, but I'd also like more bigger fish.

Also, Geaux Tigers!