Largemouth Bass

Hickory, Oklahoma, might be a small town, but it's surrounded by some excellent largemouth bass fishing opportunities. The local lakes and ponds offer a variety of habitat, from clear, rocky areas to weed-choked shallows. Spring is the best time to target spawning bass, but the fall can also be productive as the fish feed up before winter. Focus your efforts around structure such as submerged timber, docks, and rock piles. A local tip for fishing around Hickory: many of the smaller ponds are best accessed by kayak or canoe, allowing you to reach areas that bank anglers can't. Also, pay attention to water clarity, as the lakes can become stained after heavy rains. Largemouth bass in this region tend to be opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different lures and presentations until you find what they're hitting. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are good choices for covering water, while soft plastics and jigs can be effective for targeting specific structure.