America’s Favorite Fish – Largemouth Bass

    The Largemouth Bass is likely the most popular fish that anglers pursue. Its predatory habits, large size, fighting ability, and aggressive nature make this species an exciting game fish to hook.
    Long Island has a healthy population of Large Mouth Bass, and many locations to fish for them. I’ll offer a few tips to those who would like to try their hand at connecting with this aquatic predator.
    The most commonly used reels are either spinning or baitcasting reels. Spinning reels are easier to master. Baitcasting reels require practice to use, and are very often used for expert fisherman because they offer greater casting accuracy. This can be important since bass are frequently found near cover.
    Because these fish tend to station themselves near logs, branches, and other cover, you should use fairly heavy line to avoid break offs. I would suggest 8lb test or greater.
    Largemouth Bass will try to eat anything they can fit in their, well, large mouth! There are a dizzying array of lures available to choose from for enticing bass to strike. Let’s look at some favorites.
    “Rubber” worms are a great option. They are realistically molded to resemble a worm, and are often flavored to enhance their attractiveness to fish. They can be attached to the hook in many ways, but “wacky style” is easy and effective. Simply impale the worm thru the center, leaving the point exposed, and cast. Often bass will strike as the plastic lure descends through the water. If not, twitch the rod tip a few times to animate the “worm” and draw a strike.
    “Popper” style lures are an exciting lure to fish for bass with. These lures float on the surface. Cast them out, and 
retrieve with short tugs to cause the popper to “pop” on the surface enticingly. Fish will hit the lure on the surface with gusto. You’re sure to get addicted to this kind of action.
    “Stick baits” are torpedo shaped hard plastic lures which mimic minnows. These are very effective in waters with few weeds. Cast them out and retrieve at various speeds until the bass react. Stick baits come in styles which swim at different depths when reeled in. So, have a selection on hand to try depending on whether the bass are active towards the surface or deeper.
    “Jigs” are a type of lure which can be used in any fishing situation, whether in clear or weedy water. The jig is constructed of a metal “head” and the hook is dressed with material such as hair or synthetic fibers to give the lure a pulsating action when drawn through water. Often jigs have metal blades attached that flash in the light to give additional allure to predatory bass. Finally, there are specially prepared pork rind strips which you can attach to the hook of this type of lure to create a devastating “jig and pig” combo!
    Bass feed throughout the day, but most consistent action will be during the morning and dusk. They are often found close to shoreline cover, such as stumps, docks, weeds, and branches. So cast adjacent to these structures and you’ll increase your odds of hooking a bruiser!
    Be sure to check your local regulations before heading out, and consider releasing your catch to fight another day. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water!