As crappie anglers deftly loft crappie minnows delicately hung below a slip bobber, a predator larger than their anticipated catch lurks among the panfish, brazenly barging in front of the smaller, hungry fish to engulf a mere morsel of a bait compared to their oversized mouth. Nonetheless, these bully-like largemouth find panfish-sized baits quite appealing, and not only during spring.
Largemouth have been known to engulf "typical" forage - crayfish, frogs, minnows, grasshoppers - and move on to larger fare, like small birds, turtles, snakes, mice and practically anything else that lands near the water and can fit in its mouth. Yet small, even minute jigs can actually outperform proven classic bass presentations.
Why a small bait? Well several situations logically call for smaller lures, like cold fronts, early season fishing, crystal clear water and high fishing and recreational boating pressure. But sometimes largemouth simply want a small bait for two other reasons. The first is competition. This doesn't necessarily occur within the bass species, but as fish become actively interested in a bait, other fish take cue from their behavior. So as panfish nip, flee, collide and are occasionally retrieved, the increase in activity cues other fish, including bass, to take interest. This then turns into a competitive battle to see who can get the bait first.
The second overlooked situation requires a change in psychological mindset. Adept bass anglers know that when the fish are consistently feeding over a period of time, a pattern associated with stable environmental conditions, larger baits that move faster typically catch more fish. This is due to the fact that larger baits are easier to find in heavy cover and can be seen from longer distances in open water. The faster moving bait also covers water rapidly, allowing the angler to locate fish quickly. But after several days of heavy feeding, a full belly brings on lethargy, even when conditions remain ideal. This is the perfect time to give largemouth a snack instead of a meal.
Compare it to human behavior. It would be difficult to enjoy a half-pound burger after feasting on a full meal of steak and side dishes. But try to walk past a bowl of popcorn, a can of nuts, or a bag of pretzels without taking just one. Or maybe two. Fish act very similar, although popcorn, nuts and pretzels probably aren't going to land you the largemouth of your dreams.
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So what tackle should you use? Think crappies. 1/64th to 1/16th ounce jigs with an artificial body of plastic, marabou or hair. Either cast these small jigs toward weeds, brush and shaded areas, or suspend one below a balsa wood float. But don't forget to take time to properly balance the float by using split-shot sinkers so only a very small portion of the bobber is visible above water. This promotes easy submersion with little resistance when a fish decides to inhale your mini-meal.
And don't forget (gasp!) live bait. Some largemouth anglers forgo live bait since competitive tournament rules strictly forbid its use, but if you're not participating in such an event and want to have some fun, use a crappie or fathead minnow, portion of a nightcrawler or small leech, all of which are wonderful "snacks" for monster largemouth.
