Episode Details

Hey bass chasers, Artificial Lure here with the scoop on the latest bass fishing buzz across the United States! Whether you throw bugs at river mouths or prefer pitching heavy cover with gear that doubles as a winch, this week’s update has something for everyone who loves spotting green backs and bronzebacks.

Let’s start with the news that’s had folks turning heads in Texas: Lake Fork is blowing up right now with the legendary Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash tournament wrapping up its September run. This three-day extravaganza drew hundreds of hardcore anglers from around the country with $550,000 up for grabs, but you didn’t need pro credentials, just a willingness to grind for those hourly big bass payouts. The biggest fish brought to the scales turned more than a few heads with double-digit largemouth making a show — don’t worry, east Texas still has those giants if a new PB is on your fall goals list according to Sealy Outdoors.

Just a few hours south in Austin, Lady Bird Lake saw a near-legendary largemouth catch back in February, with Willie Pipkin bagging a beast that tipped the scales at 14.05 pounds and stretched nearly 28 inches. The Texas Parks and Wildlife scoreboard says that’s one for the ages, and just another reminder that urban waters can hide monsters if you’re stealthy with your flies or plastics. Don’t sleep on the possibility of stumbling into a trophy in the heart of a city park.

Meanwhile, the National Professional Fishing League keeps the tournament scene electric, with this year’s circuit hitting big name bass waters like Santee Cooper, Lake Norman, and Logan Martin. The buzz right now is all about prepping for the season’s final throwdown on Logan Martin in Alabama, prime water for both largemouth and hard-fighting spotted bass. If you’re looking for fresh venues to scout for that fall trip, these tournament stops read like a bucket list: sprawling grass mats in Florida, rocky ledges in Tennessee, and fat river fish in New York’s St. Lawrence. FishUSA calls Florida the land of giants, especially around Lake Toho and Okeechobee — and yes, both are equally famous for monster largemouth and Florida-strain drama.

Further up the coast, Massachusetts anglers have quietly been putting up eye-popping numbers. According to MassWildlife, this September saw Chicopee River cough up a 25-inch largemouth and Assawompset Pond popped out a 23-inch smallmouth — proof there’s more than trout in New England and clear rivers can serve up serious bass for anyone ready to work a streamer or a plastic worm.

But it’s not all big fish and photo ops. In Maine, fisheries officials just dropped emergency rules on certain lakes to battle invasive largemouth, especially in Washington County’s West Musquash Lake. They’ve axed size and bag limits entirely to encourage anglers to help restore native cold-water fisheries threatened by illegally introduced bass. Sometimes chasing invasive bucketmouths does double duty — great action for you, big help for brook trout and salmon.

For hot tips, the Ohio river system is still rolling out solid smallmouth action, with anglers reporting steady catches on rivers according to Outdoor News. Toss streamers, poppers, and light jigs — September is the sweet spot before water temps drop.

So, gear check: if you prefer ripping big foam frogs over mats or sneaking flies under overhanging willows, this fall is rolling out some of the coolest action yet. Keep an eye on local regs (especially in Maine if you’re headed there) and get after those lunkers while the weather is prime.

Thanks for tuning in with Artificial Lure for your bass news fix. Come back next week for more big fish stories, tournament updates, and the latest from lakes and rivers coast to coast. This has been a Quiet Please production — and for more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I. See you on the water!

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