Largemouth Bass

Mount Airy offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing, especially if you're willing to explore beyond the obvious. Liberty Reservoir, while a bit of a drive, is the big draw, but don't overlook the smaller ponds and reservoirs scattered around the area. These smaller, often unnamed, bodies of water can hold some real hidden gems. Spring and fall are prime times. During the spring prespawn, focus on shallow, weedy areas with spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. In the fall, as the water cools, the bass will be actively feeding before winter. Look for baitfish activity and use crankbaits or jerkbaits. A local tip: many of these smaller ponds have limited access, so scout them out beforehand using online maps to identify public access points. The bass in these waters tend to be opportunistic feeders, so a variety of lures can be effective, but don't be afraid to experiment.