Largemouth bass are the kings of the freshwater bass world for the simple reason that size matters. The world record as of May 2010 for largemouth is 22 lbs, 4 oz., caught by a Japanese fisherman in July 2009, according to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). Realizing a dream of catching monster largemouth bass of this size will always be dependent on the type of bait used. Largemouths, like all bass species, are finicky eaters and wily competitors. Knowledge of effective baits and lures can tip the odds in your favor.
Live Baits
Manabu Kurita, the largemouth record holder, caught his 22.4 pound trophy on live bait. Kurita, like many Bassmaster pros, swears by live minnows and other small fry. Kurita caught his "million dollar" largemouth on a baby bluegill cast next to a bridge piling. Use live shad, minnows, crayfish, tadpoles, grasshoppers, bluegill and other small fry---anything living, swimming or kicking--to attract largemouth. Learn how to properly hook various baits to maintain their liveliness for longer periods of time.
Live Worms
The old standbys, the live earthworm or red worm, continue to catch largemouth. As clever as artificial lures like plastic worms may be, largemouth can still smell and taste a real worm and get excited enough to strike the bait. The effectiveness of the live worm depends on the fishing environment. Bass in lakes that have tall, overhanging banks will be more accustomed to seeing worms than bass in lakes with cleaner banks and may be more likely to strike. Proper hooking of a worm can mean the difference between a firm strike that hooks the largemouth and frustrating mere nibbles.
Plastic Worms
Plastic worms can be the next best thing to live bait. Largemouth will strike all sizes and colors of plastic worms, depending on water conditions. Plastic worms can be purchased with built-in flavorings and scents for additional firepower. Plastic worms are most often used in the Texas or Carolina rig patterns.
Crank Baits
Crank baits that look like shad are also known to be largemouth bass favorites. You can find crank baits in a variety of body styles and colors. Rattler crank baits are engineered to emit an attractive sound largemouth bass like, while Poppers crank baits are made to create a tempting popping or bucking pattern in the water during retrieval.
Spinner Baits
Spinner baits are a largemouth bass staple, second only perhaps to the plastic worm in popularity. Spinner baits don't look like real fish, but they create the impression of a real fish that a bass can't resist. Spinner baits come with various spinners at the front end and colored plastic skirting at the back end. As the spinner bait drags through the water the presentation usually works magic on lunker bass hiding in tree stumps and under fallen logs.
Jigs
Jigs are second cousins to spinner baits, with a colorful skirting and a bit of flashy color or a small spinner at the head. Jigs are particularly effective when a bit of frog-colored pork rind is threaded onto the hook. The extra drag and smell of the pork ring will usually entice a hungry largemouth to snap at a jig.
References
- "Kevin VanDam's Secrets of a Champion"; Kevin VanDam; 2002
- "Roland Martin's 101 Bass Catching Secrets"; Roland Martin; 2008
- "Critical Concepts: Largemouth Bass Location"; 2006
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