Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Also known as: Largemouth bass, baars
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
The Garden Route's top freshwater sportfish — hard-striking and acrobatic around dam structure.
Field guide
Green with a dark lateral blotchy stripe; large mouth extending past the eye.
Warm dams, vlei and slow rivers with structure
Common 0.5-2 kg; over 4 kg in warm dams
Ambush predator on fish, frogs and insects
Determined runs into structure; bass jump, carp and barbel pull long and hard.
Smallmouth/spotted bass
How to catch Largemouth Bass
Baitcaster/spinning, 4-8 kg braid, fluoro leader
2500–4000 spinning reel or a low-profile baitcaster.
8–15 lb braid or mono.
Size 4 up to 2/0 depending on bait/lure.
Fluorocarbon 10–20 lb for clear water.
Plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, live bait where legal
When to catch Largemouth Bass
Dawn, dusk, overcast days
Not tidal — fish dawn, dusk and overcast days; barometric drops before a front fire them up.
Overcast and low-light; warm water
Most active in warm water 20–26 °C; slows right down when cold.
🥅 Landing
Use a rubberised landing net to protect slime and fins.
♻️ Release
Keep fish wet, support horizontally, and never move live fish between waters (alien-species law).
📏 Limits & restrictions
🚫 Invasive alien — never move live bass between waters
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