Largemouth bass are by far the most popular freshwater fish in North America. Their popularity can be traced back to their hard fighting attitude. The very willing and aggressive fish can be caught using a large variety of techniques and with thousands of lures.
They bite the best around here (Kerr Lake, VA) when the water gets above 50 degrees. However, you can catch largemouth year round. In early springtime, as the water starts to warm, largemouth begin to start moving shallow to feed before the spawn. A large lake like Kerr offers a ton of opportunities for largemouth to stage. It has been my experience that points are their main staging areas before they move towards flats or spawning bays. Typically, 62-65 degrees is the magic number for spawn on Kerr Lake. The spawning largemouth can be caught a number of ways, including jigs, tubes, soft plastics. We have been known to catch them on pink flukes during spawn. Oops, did I type that?
As they begin to move in to spawn, they will typically locate on a softer bottom near weeds or buck brush. Now is the time to pull out the lures I mentioned before, but remember, they are nesting, and its best to release them quickly after a catch.
After the spawn, post spawn largemouth move back out towards deeper water and begin to feed heavily. Kerr Lake is a massive fishery, and there can be three different spawns going on different sections of the lake. While the spawned out bass begin to feed heavily, now is the time to pull out the power lures. Crankbaits, Carolina rigs, and my favorite spinnerbaits load the boat at this time. The few that stay shallow can be caught on buzzbaits and Pop-R’s.
They begin to move back shallow during the fall season and chase shad as the water temperature begins to drop. Anyone heard of the shad bite on Kerr Lake? Find the shad and find the bass. This offers some of the best fishing that Kerr Lake has to offer. The topwater bite at this time is outstanding. However, don’t forget such lures as the lipless crankbait. This bite can be very good until the water temperature begins to drop below 50 degrees.
When the water gets below 50 degrees, don’t look for me much because I will be bowhunting.
Kerr Lake has more 12 inch to 15 inch fish in it than you can shake a "Shakey Head" at. Typically the females are much larger, and 18 inch to 20 inch bass are close to four pounds if not more and should be considered a prize here. Catching limits isn’t that tough for the most part, but getting that kicker 4 or 5 pound bass to cull out in a tournament is the key to making a check on Kerr.
Until next time, tight lines everyone.
Keith Redd (reddman)
reddman@ultimatebass.com
Fishforfree.com
Secretweaponlures.com
Izorlineeast.com
