anyone know how fast your basic largemouth bass can swim? Specifically, I have reels geared at 6.3:1  and 7.1:1? If I am reeling a bait on either one, can I reel faster than the fish can swim? Assuming I am fishing with a spinnerbait or some other type lure that you crank consistently?

I believe there is no way you can retrieve a bait faster than a bass can swim

I believe there is no way you can retrieve a bait faster than a bass can swim

Yep, no chance.

Bass are not built for extended speed but they do have bursts of power where they excelerate very fast. They can overtake thier prey and your bait if they want it no matter how fast your working it. I am sure if the bas wanted too it could beat your bait in a race. However workin a bait as fast as you can may not be your best presentation but there are a few times where a fast retrieve works good.

ok. That is good to know. I have never seen a bass swim ( Like to attack prey or escape predator) and was wondering if maybe I was cranking my spinnerbaits too fast. Thanks

Thanks Matt. I don't reel as fast as I can. I was just trying to get an idea....of how fast they can swim. I normally work even my spinnerbaits slowly and erratically. I was wondering if maybe I could entice some more bites by trying a faster retrieve. Thanks for everyone's input.

To answer the question; LMB can swim about 12 mph with burst speed to 20 mph. Bass rely on quick turns, not sustained forward speed to catch bait fish. The fastest bass reel with 7.3 to 1 ratio can attain a lure speed of approximately 4 to 5 mph and a bass can easily chase that down, if they want it.

WRB

To answer the question; LMB can swim about 12 mph with burst speed to 20 mph. Bass rely on quick turns, not sustained forward speed to catch bait fish. The fastest bass reel with 7.3 to 1 ratio can attain a lure speed of approximately 4 to 5 mph and a bass can easily chase that down, if they want it.

WRB

LOL. So what you are saying is, they can outrun my jon boat. I am very glad they can't get 50 lbs+. I think I would be screwed.

Wow. Thanks for the informative post WRB. I had no idea they were that fast.

Dunno. But I watched one run down a burned Spot from behind and keep on going toward me. I could not catch up to that fish (5.4:1 reel)  , and it spit the plug >.

No, you absolutely can not out-reel a bass.  I'll never forget burning a buzzbait, just for fun, as fast as i could in my pond and a 4lbs bass chased it down like it was nothing.  Actually scared me a bit cuz it finally took the buzzbait right at shore.  So IMHO there is no way you can out-reel a bass.

I had one suck my worm down and then blast towards my boat at full speed once. With a high speed 7:1:1 Revo i could not reel in the slack if my life depended on it! It finally spit it out right under the boat and my armwas hurting after the quick battle, LOL!  ;D

Faster than my lures that's all I know.  

12-20mph haha Yep that ranks as really really freakin fast in my book. I had never heard the exact speed but Al Linder once put it as they can travel 5 times fast that you can reel. He's a pretty accurate source in my opinion.  Good stuff WRB

Mottfia

12-20mph haha Yep that ranks as really really freakin fast in my book. I had never heard the exact speed but Al Linder once put it as they can travel 5 times fast that you can reel. He's a pretty accurate source in my opinion. Good stuff WRB

Mottfia

Linders are good people. LMB are not marathon swimmers, they make short burst of speed. The speedsters are tuna, wahoo and billfish; well over 40 mph with even faster jumping speeds up to 60 mph.

We think of bass as being ambush only type of predator, however they can and do chase down open water baitfish like rainbow trout and it is amazing watching a big bass after a grey hounding trout.

WRB

there is no way you can outcrank a bass

Iread something last year where a college did studies and it said bass can do short bursts of up to 17 feet a second.  

Thanks Matt. I don't reel as fast as I can. I was just trying to get an idea....of how fast they can swim. I normally work even my spinnerbaits slowly and erratically. I was wondering if maybe I could entice some more bites by trying a faster retrieve. Thanks for everyone's input.

Let's just say- they move so fast, you would be amazed.  Check out the National Geographic Channel.  They keep showing a episode about the LMB, and follows  Van Dam, the record chasers, and a family,  BUT they have INCREDIBLE footage of bass attacking prey.  Crazy footage which will amaze you at how they just anihilate things they want to eat.

This isn't directly related to lmb's top speed and I still haven't purchased them yet but the trailers for the Glen Lau videos have some very interesting underwater shot's of bass stiking lures.

http://www.reelbass.net/bigmouth.htm