Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your weekly pulse on the bass fishing world, letting you know where the lunkers are biting and what’s buzzing on the water right now across the U.S.

Let’s kick things off with some hot action from Florida, where the guides down at The Headwaters in Palm Bay are on fire—clients are hauling in 30 to 40 bass a trip, most of them lively largemouth classics smashing shiners, but the bite’s carrying over to artificials after the live bait runs out. Just last week, Leo Suratt and Erico School bagged three bass tipping the scales at 10.45 pounds to win their championship, with their fattest fish a thumping 5.20 pounds. The Headwaters looks to be mainlining monster bass through the cooler months, so if you’re a fly angler feeling adventurous, this is a prime spot to swing a big streamer or get experimental with weedless frogs—there’s plenty of grass and big, hungry mouths to test your knots.

Out in Texas, the fall bite on the Brazos River is steady, and while no one's topped Mark Bohanan’s 26-inch, 11.71-pound largemouth slab from a few years back, the river remains a go-to for those who like to cover water. With hybrids, stripers, and plenty of mixed bass DNA cruising those bends, it’s a fun river for anyone who likes casting from a kayak and drawing strikes on big baitfish patterns or classic poppers. Texas Parks & Wildlife keeps the records tight, so you know the next local hero could be you with the right tug.

Georgia’s bass fans have had a heck of a season too. Ben Cleary out of Monticello claimed the grand prize in a 700-plus angler tournament on Lake Eufaula, walking away with a new Nitro bass boat and a slice of more than $230,000 in prize money. Lake Eufaula and Carters Lake have been cranking out not only quantity but also quality, with spotted bass still smashing shad on the surface at first light. If topwater is your love language, you oughta be in Georgia right now tying up big bushy bugs.

For those who chase the tourney circuit, the 2025 American Fishing Tour National Championship just wrapped on Lake Murray, South Carolina, packing in top names and weekend warriors alike. And on the pro front, the Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour Heavy Hitters Knockout Round came down to a thrilling duel, with Justin Lucas going toe-to-toe with Zack Birge—Lucas clinched the day with over 64 pounds on 21 bass, while Matt Stefan nabbed the $30,000 bonus for bagging a big ol' 5-15. If you’re hungry for more live action, MLF still streams their final rounds, and it’s a must-see for gear hounds and fly-curious folks wanting to pick up on technique tweaks.

On a conservation note, Louisiana is stepping up its game with its first-ever stakeholder-driven Black Bass Management Plan. Anglers are getting a real say on how the state stewards largemouth, spotted, and Florida bass for the next generation. Surveys are open through early December, so if you fish the Bayou State’s famous waters, now’s your chance to be heard.

And, for the law-abiding crowd, here’s a friendly reminder: New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation just cracked down on folks busting size and bag limits on largemouth in the Ramapo River. Follow the rules, soak in the fall colors, and let those undersized bass grow up for another day. Nothing ruins a serene morning on the river like a run-in with the law—or losing your catch to a citation.

Shout out to all the fly anglers testing big streamers in bass country—you don’t have to swap your 5wt for a baitcaster to tangle with trophy fish. Grab your 8wt, tie on something flashy, and fish those weedy edges or dock shadows.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure, brought to you by Quiet Please productions. Swing by next week for more bassin’ news, hot spots, and big fish stories. For more on this show and other angling content, check out Quiet Please dot A I. Until next time, keep those knots...