Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips in Missouri

Best Spots

The majority of lakes, ponds and rivers in Missouri have active largemouth bass populations, meaning that any body of water in the state could potentially be a good spot. However, a few locations stand out above the rest when it comes to reeling in largemouths. According to All About Fishing, these include the Harry S. Truman Reservoir in west-central Missouri; the Lake of the Ozarks, approximately 20-miles east of the Truman; Mark Twain Lake in northeastern Missouri; and Bull Shoals Lake, in south-central Missouri on the Arkansas border. According to Land Big Fish, Marvin Bushong caught the largest documented largemouth bass in Missouri history at Bull Shoals Lake in 1961. It weighed 13-pounds, 14-ounces.

Finding the Bass

You can catch largemouth bass all year long in Missouri, so long as you know where to look for them. During the spring, stay close to shore when fishing, as the bass like to hang out in shallow waters for spawning. Continue this method until summer sets in, and then the bass gradually move out into deeper waters. By fall, most of the fish are out in the deeper portions of lakes, at depth that can range anywhere from 35 to 60 feet. Try using a fish-finder to help locate them.

Using Soft Plastic Worms

According to Trails, soft plastic worms, which are threaded onto hooks, are some of the best lures for catching largemouth bass in Missouri. Purchase them in packs from bait shops and sporting good stores, and many varieties feature specialized fish-attracting salts. For optimal results, thread the worms so that the hook barbs bite into the soft plastic. This helps prevent the worm from getting snagged on weeds and other items.

Buzz-Baits

Another top lure fro catching largemouth bass in Missouri is buzz-bait, according to Missouri Game and Fish. Buzz-baits typically consist of weighted metal heads, hooks, skirting that surrounds the hooks and freely moving blades. When casting out buzz-bait and reeling it back in, these blades churn the surface of the water and create a buzzing noise, which attracts the largemouth bass.