Catching Pressured Largemouths

Largemouths are popular but often difficult to catch. These fish are eager biters during low-light periods when anglers are plying the lily pads, rocks and fallen trees are in shallow water. But when the largemouth bite is tough, it's tough. Try plastic worms with a thin shank hook through the middle or near one end. Drop the worm into heavy weeds, submerged tree limbs and other heavy cover where uninterested bass typically lie. A gentle movement vertically or slow drag across weedtops and rocks can produce some outstanding action. An underutilized method that works quite well is to use an old lure in a new way. Bob a shallow-running crankbait on the top like a helpless minnow or give your crankbait an unusual stop-and-go movement to imitate a skittish preyfish. Bass are more likely to fall for a tactic they've never seen over a bait that's commonly seen.