FLY FISHING FOR LARGE MOUTH BASS

 Largemouth food sources
Juveniles feed on small aquatic insects and other small invertebrates until they’re big enough to feed on other fish. Largemouth bass are effective ambush predators and eat small fish along with other food items they may encounter including small mammals, frogs, or even birds. Largemouth bass even eat smaller largemouth when food sources are less. Feeding occurs mainly in spring, summer, and fall months and decreases as their metabolism slows down in colder temperatures. Knowing what bass eat counts when fly fishing for bass.

 Largemouth bass habitat
Largemouth prefer the shallow and warmer areas of small or large lakes and occasionally large, slow-moving rivers. They seek out structure such as submerged vegetation, fallen trees and stumps, or docks and boats. They can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures from freezing all the way up to 90°F. 

In the summer months when the hottest  weather arrives, fish early or late and you will find  fish near shady cover. Bridges, docks, lily pads, water weeds and fallen trees all provide cover from  high-water temperatures. 

 I like to fish Spruce Run Reservoir in July and August. I work the banks in close in shallow water. Shaved Mouse and White Marabou Muddler patterns work well. I always use at least an 10lb tippet, the bass seem to always get into weeds and lily pads when they get hooked.

July and August are also great months to fish the Delaware river. Rent a kayak for a day trip and 

experience the Big D . Dying Shad cast near logs and rocks brings them out of cover. Keep your eyes open for large stagnant ponds and lakes, the more lily pads and weeds the better.

TACKLE

A 8wt rod is needed to cast these large top water mouse and baitfish imitations. 

Bluegill Minnow and Perch Minnow patterns will work in all bass waters, these are a major food sources and get results.

Bluegill Minnow

White Marabou Muddler (weedless)

Shaved Mouse (weedless)

Dying Shad (weedless)

Perch Minnow

 Smallmouth food sources
Smallmouth bass have a varied diet of zooplankton, aquatic insects, crayfish, and fish depending on their size. While juveniles feed primarily on zooplankton and aquatic insects, subadults and adults quickly transition to crayfish and fish. Some populations are known to consume primarily crayfish. Feeding actively  in spring, summer, and fall months and decreases  in colder temperatures. 

Smallmouth bass habitat
Smallmouth bass typically prefer cool, clean lakes and large, swift rivers. They take cover in cool areas beside large boulders, rocks, stumps, and fallen trees. Unlike largemouth, smallmouth bass tend to avoid areas of dense vegetation. They can tolerate a relatively wide range of temperatures, but their preferred range during the summer is about 68°–70°F. 

By June the trout fishing starts to slow in most rivers and streams in New Jersey. Then I switch over to small mouths, small mouths live in the same places as trout and like cold running rivers with a good flow. I fish the south branch of the Raritan, Ken Lockwood Gorge, there is cold fast water and large deep holes that the small mouths love. "The Gorge" is nice clean and cold water and there is an abundance of aquatic food, I use small poppers and large black stone fly nymphs when fly fishing for bass. The Lamington River and the Raritan River hold trophy small mouths. Hellgrammite patterns work best. 

TACKLE

A 7wt rod

Large stone fly nymphs and hellgrammites are your best bet. Small mouth bass live in the same water as trout, so when August comes around switch to small mouths, pound for pound fight better than any other fish. 

Hellgrammites

Muddler Minnow

Grasshopper 

Giant black stone fly nymph

Giant golden stone fly nymph