New Angler, Where Are The Largemouth?

[Bedore]

Hey guys and gals,

 

Made my way here by watching bassresource's youtube videos on various topics. Big +1 to Glenn for taking the time and effort with these videos. Very helpful and direct to the point. 

 

Anyhow I am getting into fishing this summer and haven't fished since I was a kid. I am building up my gear but would like some tips on finding the largemouth. I am from Maine (any other Mainer's here?) and my first time out in years I caught a monster largemouth (well it's the biggest fish I have ever caught, you can see it in my avatar). That was about 3 weeks ago. Since then I haven't caught anything but a bunch of chain pickerel and perch and the occasional smallmouth. Not knowing much about fishing, where do these guys hang out this time of year? I have been using spinners, texas rigged plastic worms, jigs, and floating rapala's. I have mainly been fishing shallow waters so that may be the problem but tried some deeper waters and had very little luck. I am fishing from a boat.

 

Any help is much appreciated and I look forward to being a part of the forum here.  

[FishChaser1]

try shallow water fishing in the early morning (1-5 am) when the water is coolest before the sun comes up, or second best in shallow water is at night. For deep water you will have a lot better luck fishing structure which you can generally only see with electronics (which is why summer fishing can be a huge pain for us without good electronics). Texas rigs should work virtually any time. When the sun is down fish black colors (black can also work under any conditions) and during the day fish natural colors (like green pumpkin and watermelon)) for clear water, or if the water is stained use flashy colors like chartreuse, blue, and motor oil.
 

[jignfule]

I'd ask around and find other fisherman that might be willing to suggest waters in your area.

[CDobber]

Shallow will likely be your key for LMB.....to tag onto what FishChaser added, look for hiding spots near the shore (shaded areas under lily pads/weeds, fallen timber, overhanging branches, etc.  Also, to tag onto what jignfule said, look for local forums for Maine, though there's at least one regular on BR from Maine that has been chiming in a lot lately that may be a resource, depending on how close the two of you are to similar water bodies.  Google search forums or lake reviews and you may get some good starting info that way.

[CDMeyer]

Just like most people are saying I would just try and fish the shallow areas at first, shade, shade, shade.  Bass do not have eye lids so the sun is a killer.  Find the shade that has their forage nearby..... find the bass

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

[WRB]

Welcome,

Most of the bass fishing information available comes from anglers who fish man made impoundments or reservoirs, not natural lakes or rivers. You are in Maine that has all types of bass water, what type of water do you fish?

The summer seasonal period shouldn't be difficult, the bass are eating a wide variety of prey so lots of lure types work well. Locating bass isn't all that difficult, locating active feeding bass can be and that is the key to answering your question and the reason for asking the question about where you fish.

Tom

[Bedore]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I have some new knowledge to take with me. I am currently fishing a smaller lake and spend most of my time in the inlet for this lake. It's been hit or miss. I am going to look into other lakes in the area as well.

[NathanW]

Living up North, there are two lakes I fish pretty regularly where, after the LMB spawn, they become extremely difficult to find until fall. Most everybody turn to smallmouth for their tournament fish during this time of year and rarely do you see 5 fish limits all largemouth. Not saying your lake is similar but if it is it may be your best interest to fish smallmouth instead.

 

    The lakes that that do still produce good numbers of LMB are typically easiest to find on the North End or whichever end of the lake has the main feeder creek. I usually target them in shallow cover next to deeper water, right on the edge if there is one. If I am fishing a lake with a ton of vegetation I key in on Milfoil or submerged timber/brush and anything that creates good shade. Pay constant attention to the position of the sun and fish the side of the lake or grassline that is most protected. If I see cover that is not currently creating shade but has good potential to, I revisit those area later/earlier in the day. I mostly jig/T-rig fish during the day this time of year. Another tip I can give you is to avoid mush bottom. If I am fishing a lake that has this potential I wont stop to fish until after I check the bottom. I just stick my rod in the water and poke the bottom. Sand is great, mud is not. This is my very simple approach, note that I am not out their catching 25lbs sacks like some of the locals here but I always catch fish, especially in the middle of summer.