Reels
Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel
A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.
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Indiana's largest natural lake with weedy flats for largemouth and big bluegill.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Wawasee for largemouth bass and bluegill. The best months overall are Mar to Oct. In October, largemouth bass is in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Track & Channel Bait & Tackle in Syracuse, 3 mi away. St. Joseph River is 31 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Mar to Oct
In October
Largemouth Bass
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Lake Wawasee Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
10 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Bluegill
Shop This LureNightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Bluegill
Live Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Largemouth Bass
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Bluegill
Fly 7.5 to 8 ft 3 or 4 wt rod, floating line, foam spiders and small poppers.
Spin / Cast 5 ft ultralight spinning rod, 1000 reel, 4 lb line with a small bobber.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Lake Wawasee
Reels
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo
Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Yamamoto Senko 5 in
The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Lake Wawasee
Bait & Tackle
Track & Channel Bait & Tackle
Syracuse, Indiana· 3 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Syracuse, IN.
Bait & Tackle
Ye Olde Tackle Box
North Webster, Indiana· 6 mi
Bait and tackle shop in North Webster, IN.
Bait & Tackle
Number 1 Stop Bait and Tackle
Pierceton, Indiana· 8 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Pierceton, IN.
Bait & Tackle
Bubba's Live Bait & Tackle\Hunting Supplies
Columbia City, Indiana· 16 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Columbia City, IN.
Bait & Tackle
Whitley County Bait
Columbia City, Indiana· 18 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Columbia City, IN.
Bait & Tackle
Country Bait & Tackle
Wolcottville, Indiana· 19 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Wolcottville, IN.
Make It a Trip