Your sea and freshwater fishing guide between Noirmoutier and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Black Bass Fishing in Vendée
Meeting the king of sport fishing fish
The largemouth bass, an iconic predator from North America, has adapted perfectly to the Vendée region, where the calm, warm, and vegetation-rich waters offer ideal conditions. Renowned for its power and spectacular strikes, it is now the flagship species of modern sport fishing. Its olive-green coloration, distinctive large mouth, and territorial behavior make it a sought-after fish for all lure fishing enthusiasts.
Found in many ponds, lakes, and rivers in the Vendée region, the black bass primarily inhabits calm areas where it can hide: water lilies, submerged timber, aquatic vegetation, and underwater structures. Active from May to October, it hunts by sight, defends its territory, and puts up intense fights, especially during surface fishing in the summer.
Vendée has become one of the best French departments for practicing this technical and sensational fishing.
Techniques, equipment and approach
The largemouth bass is one of the most interesting fish to target with lures thanks to its curiosity, wariness, and power. The most commonly used techniques are:
– soft lures (Texas rig, Carolina, Wacky, Drop shot, Ned rig),
– hard lures (jerkbait, crankbait, topwater),
– sight fishing, precision fishing, power fishing,
– surface fishing around water lilies with frogs, poppers and buzzbaits.
The recommended equipment includes a spinning or casting ML/MH rod, thin braid and a fluorocarbon leader.
In Vendée, fishing is ideally practiced in a float tube — offering discretion and mobility — and soon on board a specially equipped bass boat for an even more technical approach.
Practical information
– Ideal period: May to October
– Fishing spots: ponds, gravel pits, reservoirs, slow-moving rivers
– Techniques: soft lures, hard lures, topwater fishing, sight fishing
– Equipment provided or recommended depending on the package
– Float tube available (bring waders and permit)
– Sessions adapted to all levels, from beginner to enthusiast
Customized services
– Specialized black bass fishing guiding
– Selection of the best spots according to the season
– Introduction to or improvement of modern techniques
– Equipment rental (lures, rods, float tube)
– Complete organization of the sessions
– Possibility of sea or freshwater fishing on the same day
– Personalized coaching in small groups or individually
Black Bass Fishing Techniques
Soft lure fishing
A key technique for black bass fishing, it allows you to imitate its main prey such as crayfish, small fish, and insects. The Texas rig is ideal in snaggy areas, while the Carolina rig allows you to slowly cover large areas. The weightless rig, often used with worms or soft jerkbaits, offers an irresistible natural descent for wary fish.
Surface lures
Highly effective when largemouth bass are hunting near the edges or in weed beds. The popper attracts with its characteristic rattle, ideal during the first and last light of day. Stickbaits retrieved with a "walk the dog" action trigger sight strikes, while frogs, designed to work through dense vegetation, excel in summer over lily pads and shaded areas.
reaction decoys
Essential for triggering strikes from active or wary fish. The spinnerbait derives its effectiveness from its vibrations, perfect in murky or windy water. The chatterbait combines vibration with an erratic swimming action, very useful for quickly covering structure. Crankbaits, on the other hand, allow you to explore different depths and entice largemouth bass when they're hunting.
When is the best time to fish for Black Bass?
– Spring: pre-spawning period followed by spawning. The fish move closer to the banks and become territorial. Nests are obviously avoided.
– Summer: high activity at dawn and dusk, surface lures reign supreme. During the day, bass take shelter under weed beds: precision and stealth are essential.
– Autumn: excellent season, aggressive and mobile fish. Reaction lures work very well.
– Winter: reduced activity, slow and finesse fishing near obstacles and deep areas.
