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Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass are Texas's most popular freshwater sport fish, found nearly everywhere in the state.

Scientific Name: Micropterus salmoides salmoides (Northern Largemouth Bass), M. s. floridanus (Florida Largemouth Bass)

Physical Characteristics:
  • Olive-green to greenish-gray with dark blotches forming horizontal stripes, with upper jaws extending well beyond the rear margin of the eye.
  • They can reach sizes of 4-6 inches in their first year, 8-12 inches by year two, and 16 inches by year three.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found nearly everywhere in the state.
  • They prefer clear, quiet waters with protective cover like logs, rock ledges, vegetation, and man-made structures.

Key Locations

  • Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lake Texoma, Lake Amistad, Brazos River, Llano River, Colorado River, Neches River.
  • Prime locations include Lake Fork near Dallas for lunker bass, Sam Rayburn Reservoir in East Texas, Lake Texoma for variety, Austin area waters for year-round fishing, and rivers like the Llano for sight fishing in clear water.

Specific Spots

  • Target structure like fallen trees, docks, weed lines, and drop-offs.
  • Bass hide among structure to ambush prey.
  • Males build nests in 2-8 feet of water during spawning.

Largemouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Largemouth Bass in Texas?

Texas-rigged soft plastics, spinnerbaits, hard-body lures, plastic worms, creature baits, and topwater baits during low-light conditions.

What flies work for Largemouth Bass in Texas?

Popping bugs in bumblebee, frog, and chartreuse patterns for surface action. Subsurface flies include Clouser Minnows in chartreuse/white or pink/white, crawfish patterns like Cohen's Jiggy Craw, large dark leeches, shad patterns, and diving bugs.

When is the best time to fish for Largemouth Bass in Texas?

March is the premier time for trophy-sized bass. Early spring and late fall provide excellent fishing when bass move to shallow water. Summer requires targeting deeper water or fishing during low-light conditions. Spawning occurs February-May when water temperatures reach about 60°F.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass in Texas?

Texas-rigged soft plastics, target structure like fallen trees, docks, weed lines, and drop-offs.

What do Largemouth Bass eat?

Adults are top predators, feeding almost exclusively on other fish and large invertebrates like crayfish, while fry consume zooplankton and insect larvae.

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