Largemouth Bass

Somerville, NJ, offers some solid largemouth bass fishing within easy reach of the Raritan River watershed. While the Raritan itself can be productive, explore the smaller lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the surrounding area for more consistent action. Spring is undoubtedly the peak season, as bass move shallow to spawn. Target weed lines, docks, and submerged timber with spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Summer can be good too, but you'll need to fish deeper and focus on shaded areas. A key to success here is adapting to the water clarity, which can fluctuate significantly after rainfall. Local tip: the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park offers bank access and some surprisingly good fishing. Also, the bass in this area tend to be structure-oriented, so pay attention to your depth finder and target any irregularities on the bottom. Don't be afraid to experiment with different retrieves to find what the bass are responding to.