Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass spend most of their time in lakes, small reservoirs or ponds, and rivers where fresh water is plentiful.  They tend to congregate in mossy, sheltered areas where smaller fish, such as minnows, provide a meal for them to snack on at their leisure. The size of the bass tends to vary depending on the fish itself although estimations can be given as to their size.  Smallmouth bass can be approximately 8-15 inches long and weigh around 4 lbs. or so. As for largemouth bass, these fish tend to be around 2-3 lbs. and have a length similar to the average of the smallmouth bass. 
   A few other names for large mouth are Black Bass, bucket mouth or sunfish. Large mouths are actually a member of the sun fish family. Bass fan out shallow in saucer shaped nests in the spring. They usually travel in water between 2 to 4 feet deep. They spawn in bays, cuts or channels and rough water often washes away their nests.

   Large mouths usually spawn when the water warms to the low- to mid-60s. Depending on where the bass are they can lay their eggs anywhere from February to mid-June. After dropping her eggs the female usually abandons the nest leaving the male there to guard until the young bass can fend for them selves. 

   Male bass will usually strike at anything that comes near the nest. For this reason some places close fishing in certain spawning areas while the nesting season is going on.  There are certain tricks of the fishing trade which help bass fishermen catch the most bass possible. The best time to fish for bass is May through July as it will yield the best possible catches for bass fishermen. 
   As for favored bait, items such as minnows, crayfish, nightcrawlers, jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits all attract both types of bass. Bass can adapt to almost any foods. That's why they can adapt well in many bodies of water around the world. Small fish, crayfish, frogs, insect larvae, snakes, turtles, mice and even birds have been found in the stomachs of bass.  Both live bait and artificial lures will attract the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It is important to note that one may be better able to catch smallmouth bass as opposed to largemouth bass as the smallmouth bass have a more unique curiosity when it comes to their attraction to bait and lures.   
   Bass fishing, whether for largemouth or smallmouth bass, is an exciting pastime which can yield many big catches. By following the mentioned tips, one may be that much luckier when it comes to reeling in the best catch.