Hey there, kayak bass fishing anglers. I will check out a target species as I discuss my five Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips to gulp down this year. Largemouth Bass is a fantastic, aggressive fighting fish that is fun to catch.

They can, however, often be elusive as well. My tips will help you get them onto the hook and into your net!

Largemouth Bass are aggressive, carnivorous freshwater gamefish native to the eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada, and northern Mexico. They are an extremely popular sport fish due to their penchant for striking at bait and lures alike and will put up a great fight when caught – often jumping out of the water as they are reeled in.

Their name comes from their large mouths extending to the rear edge of their eyes. Although they can certainly be taken home for lunch, they do not have a great reputation as table fish, with most anglers choosing to enjoy the catch-and-release program.

My experience

However, based on my experience and research, the Five Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips I will run through below may help you.

Bass Like Cover 

My first tip here is to figure out where the bass like to be. Largemouth Bass live predominately in lakes and rivers where there is generally a lot of structure, such as rocks, ledges, trees, and bridges. This is where they like to hang out. There are always exceptions, but you must cast your lures or bait into these structures to land your catch.

The good news is that these structures will often be located close to the bank, so you can catch them from the bank without needing a kayak. Prepare to get snagged a bit on the other side of the fence.

Especially if you are using lures that are not weedless.

Research Your Fishing Grounds

This one is a tip for all types of fishing but especially important for bass, where the water temperature can play a large part in their feeding habits. You can move on to the next tip if you fish in the same spot every time.

However, if not, it probably goes without saying that what works in one spot may not work in another. If you are bass fishing somewhere new, then consider the following:

Research these Areas

• Water temperature – We will discuss this more in tip four below. How bass behave in different water temperatures is relative to how cold the water is. Think of water temperatures like this. Water that is 45 degrees might be considered warm for a fish in a lake that freezes over in winter. Alternatively, this might be considered cold in warmer climates, meaning fish are less active.
• Water clarity – Bass behave differently depending on whether the water is clear or murky. Bass may become more profound, as baitfish also go there for protection. However, if the water is murky or cloudy, you might find bass in the open more. Use brightly colored lures in murky water too.

• Time of day – Largemouth Bass are generally more active at night, early morning, or late afternoon. Bass is also apparently more active in windy and/or rainy conditions. Check with the local weather to see when they like to feed in that neck of the woods.
• Structure – As per tip one above, look for any structure fish might like to hide under.
• What else is in the water? – It is not good to tie your favorite lure onto the line if it doesn’t match the live bait that shares the water with Bass. See what is found locally and match your lures accordingly.
• Ask a local – If you want to know all of the above, ask a local tackle and bait shop.

Match Bait and Lures

As mentioned above, Largemouth Bass are particularly aggressive fish that will take a large range of lures. However, like most wild animals, fish will chow down on whatever is available to them in their local environment. So if you want them to slam your bait, then try to match the bat. All too often, we tend to just run into the old tackle shop and purchase what we do not need. Always consider the local conditions.

The same goes for lures. We all have our favorites, but if you want to give yourself the best chance of landing a big-mouthed beauty, then I would strongly suggest trying what matches.

There can be a science to this, and Kayak Bass Anglers will swear by using different lures at different times. Others only use a certain type of lure and will not hear of anything else.

Basically, anything that will attract a fish is the right type to use. If you match closer to what the bass are eating locally, you will have a better chance to catch one.

Adjust For the Seasons

Where I bass fish here in Southeast Georgia, we catch a lot more bass during the springtime than in the winter. If you would like to get on some monster bass, springtime during the spawn is a great time to come south.

We do have a few cold spells that affect the bass here in Southeast Georgia. Most of the time, you can still catch them using more finesse techniques.

Maintain Your Equipment

Finally, perhaps my biggest tip here is that regardless of when and where the fish are biting, your chances of landing your personal best Largemouth can be significantly reduced if you don’t look after your equipment.

This includes:

• Maintain your fishing reel – Make sure it is clean with a good quality line. Rinse it off after every use with a full clean and oil after each season.
• Clean your rod – Rinse your rod after each session and check for any cracks or breakages, especially in the o-rings and guides. Remove the reel and clean the seat, screws and handle every month.
• Use new tackle – Dull hooks mean no fish. I am a strong advocate of replacing your hooks often. Lures tend to last a few trips, but if possible, I recommend replacing the hooks every few uses.
• Check your tools – Tools should also be rinsed after each use however, this is not always done. Trust me; nothing is worse than getting out there and finding out your pliers are rusty or knife dull. Clean and lubricate tools and sharpen your knife every month or so.

So there you have it, my Five Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips to help you put a big one in the boat this year. As always, these are not going to guarantee you a catch; however, they should give you more chances of success that you may not have otherwise had.

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