Largemouth Bass Are Beasts

[Ozark_Basser]

Just wanted to share something I witnessed the other day while shore fishing at Lake Valencia in Maumelle, Arkansas.  Now I've heard of bass doing things such as this, but I've never seen it person. While I was throwing a spook one evening at the aforementioned lake, I witnessed a larger than average splash on the shore directly in front a little trail some ducklings were using to enter the water.  Directly afterwards, I saw all the ducklings on the shore scurry away in a panic.

 

 I hurried over to see if what I just witnessed was what I thought it was.  When I got to where I could see what was lurking on the shore, I noticed it was a largemouth bass (8lb +) facing toward the shore in such shallow water his soft dorsal fin was out of the water.  This bass was just sitting there picking off ducklings as they came into the water!

 

I stepped back a distance and made an accurate cast along the shoreline about ten foot past the bass and began walking my super spook toward my target.  As the spook walked slowly into the bass's domain, I seen the water swirl around my bait; however, to my dismay, she didn't commit to the strike.  I sat there a while throwing different baits until it got dark, then I decided it was time to head home.  As I was walking back, I took one last look at where I had been casting the entire time, and there she was.  

 

As soon as she spotted me, she took off in a hurry and splashed water at me in a way that almost seemed like she was making fun of my efforts.  Oh well, at least I know where she goes during that time of the day!  I'm thinking about throwing some trebles on a rubber ducky and planting it on the shoreline till I see her again.  I'm kidding, but something of the sort might actually work. I'm pretty sure there is a baby bird topwater bait on the market, or at least there used to be.  

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Flippin' The Bird and Moreau Baits Black Magic are two that I know of.

[Ozark_Basser]

Ahhh Flippin the bird is the one I remember.  I might try it out.  Might just go finesse next time.  

[Catch 22]

That is a wild thing to witness.

Iv`e seen bass chase minnows up onto the bank and then gobble them when they flopped back in the water.

I saw  a lmb grab a 3' water snake in the middle torso. A battle ensued and both disappeared.

A friend saw a lmb ****** a blackbird off a cat tail bush that was about 6" or 8" above water.

C22

[bassguytom]

That is a wild thing to witness.

Iv`e seen bass chase minnows up onto the bank and then gobble them when they flopped back in the water.

I saw  a lmb grab a 3' water snake in the middle torso. A battle ensued and both disappeared.

A friend saw a lmb ****** a blackbird off a cat tail bush that was about 6" or 8" above water.

C22

Lol you said pluck. I have seen a bass eat a mouse that was swimming in some Lilly pads one time.

[Catch and Grease]

I swear bass in our pond will jump out of the water after dragonflies that are hovering over the water... Call me crazy but its true!

[Catch 22]

 My starry word rhymes with match

[Raul]

Ever seen Jaws ? remember that music ? That's what in my mind I listened when I saw that wake behind momma duck with her ducklings following her, WHAM ! Duck a la orange for lunch.

[WRB]

Take a look at Persuader duck lure.

It's late in the year for ducklings out west.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

I swear bass in our pond will jump out of the water after dragonflies that are hovering over the water... Call me crazy but its true!

There used to be a dragonfly lure that ran back and forth on a line above the water to target those fish. Obviously it worked well since it's no longer in production. I've seen them do it lots of times, especially in ponds. 

[Ozark_Basser]

Take a look at Persuader duck lure.

It's late in the year for ducklings out west.

Tom

Probably here too.  I'm not really sure.  To be honest, they weren't really ducklings, more like juvenile ducks I guess you could say. They had some feathers i think, but it was near dusk so it was hard to tell.

[flyfisher]

There used to be a dragonfly lure that ran back and forth on a line above the water to target those fish. Obviously it worked well since it's no longer in production. I've seen them do it lots of times, especially in ponds. 

I have had smallies come up and hit dragonfly imitations on my fly rod before the fly settles on to the water surface.  Largemouth, usually wait till they hit at least.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I've seen Musky eat adult ducks on two seperate occasions, but never a bass eat one. That would be cool to see.

[MassBass]

I saw a whole family of baby ducks get taken under in the river. It was like they were just slurped under. The poor mother went back to the shore and started vocalizing, all her babies taken under by something. It was striper season. 

[gulfcaptain]

Take a look at Persuader duck lure.

It's late in the year for ducklings out west.

Tom

Ordered two of them from Persuader for just that reason.  Watched bass at some of the ponds I fish pick them cute balls of fluff off.  They want nothing to do with anything else and are commited to the ducklings just like they do when they stock trout. They sit about 15ft off the bank facing the few spots the ducklings can get in and out of and wait patiently.  Then a boil, and no more baby duck, just the mother duck upset looking for her baby.  Nature is cruel but awesome. I Can't wait to fish the Persuader baby duckling next spring and see what happens.