The largemouth bass species is part of the sunfish family. This fish has several nick names such as black bass, bucketmouth and green bass.
The largemouth has a series of dark blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank. Its upper jaw (maxilla) extends back beyond its eye socket (orbit). The largemouth is the largest of the basses. At the time of writing this, the maximum recorded length was 29.5 inches. The heaviest recorded weight was 25 pounds 1 once.Keep reading for more information on this fish. On average a largemouth will live 16 years.
Juvenile largemouths eat mostly small bait-fish, scuds, and insects. Adults consume smaller fish, crawfish (crayfish), frogs, snails, salamanders, bats, and even small water birds, mammal, and baby alligators. In large lakes adults usually occupy deeper water then younger fish, and eat a diet of small fish like, shad, trout, ciscoes, and sunfish.
A largemouth bass will prey on items 25 to 35% its body length. Some studies have shown that in weedy waters bass grow more slowly. This is due to the weeds making hunting for small fish more difficult. Largemouth bass can find and catch prey easier in open water. The largemouth will make use of overhead cover that is booth above and below water such as docks, banks, brush, weed beds, points, humps and drop-offs to attack and seize its prey. All of the largemouths sense hearing, sight, vibration, and smell are used when hunting.
Why fish for largemouth bass? As many of you already it’s for the fight they give. There is nothing better then seeing the fish becomes airborne as its tries to throw the hook. There relative the smallmouth bass fights just as hard. The most commonly used bait by anglers for catching largemouth are lures, such as plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits.
When hunting for that trophy bass large swimbaits are better. These larger baits are used to imitate larger prey such as trout. Live baits will also be productive in catching largemouth bass. More commonly used live baits are nightcrawlers, minnows, frogs, and crawfish. In my neck of the woods the best live bait to use are golden shiners.
Remember when fishing for largemouth bass that there is not an unlimited supply of fish out there especially in parts of the country were fishing pressure is high. Take only what you will eat, and remember to practice catch and release. Largemouth bass respond well to catch and release and the same fish can be caught over and over ensuring that there is a large enough number of fish for all of us to enjoy.
The largest largemouth ever caught using a rod and real was by Mac Weakley in Escondido Califonia on
The current record stands at 22 and ¼ pounds. This Largemouth was caught by George Perry at
This fish was 32 and ½ inches long with a girth of 28 and ½ inches. Georges reward for this catch, $75- in merchandise as the 1st place prize in Field and Stream Magazines fishing contest. This is one of the longest standing records in fishing history. [Read More]
There may be a new world record
Manabu Kurita a 32 year old Angler is the lucky man. The fish weighs 22 pounds and 5 ounces, and is nearly 29 inches long. Manabu caught the lunker on ________________________________________________________________________ The largemouth Bass inhabits many lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks throughout North America. This species prefers structure such as deep drops offs, mid lake humps, depressions, rock and flats. The type of structure used by bass varies with such factors as water clarity, season, food supply, and vegetation. Temperatures and oxygen levels also affect the type of habitat bass migrate to. Rivers can provide excellent habitat for bass. Rivers are high in oxygen due to the mixing of running water and air. The oxygen level is usually evenly mixed from top to bottom. Temperatures in a river are moderate compared to lakes and ponds. They are usually slightly warmer in the winter and cooler in summer. Bass will tend to hold close to, but out of, the direct flow of the current. Shoreline objects such as stumps or logs serve as current breaks. Bass will hold on the downstream side of object that acts as a current breaker. Bass look for structure to both hide from predators as well as ambush their prey. While fishing in rivers look for bars, floating cover, river bends, and midstream structure. Midstream structure such as a log or boulder in the middle of the current can provide great bass fishing. The Midstream structure force prey to the sides of the structure and directly to the bass. Streams seem to be overlooked by many Anglers but are an excellent place to fish for Smallmouth bass. Remember Bass avoid strong current, so look for them in undercut banks, deep holes, and hiding behind structure in the water such as logs, trees, and large rocks. Reservoirs are manmade for water control and water levels are at the mercy of seasonal drawdown, and draughts. This drawdown makes it difficult for shoreline weeds and vegetation to take hold. That wonderful weeded shoreline you fished all summer last season may be history this season. Shallow brush, logs, boat docks, and other objects in on the shoreline are sought after by bass. As these structures become scarce bass will seek flooded creek and river channels, submerged islands, humps, standing timber and manmade structure including flooded roadbeds, fences, foundations of building, and other structures built by humans prior to the building of the reservoir. Many reservoirs are stocked with schooling baitfish such as threadfin shad as a food supply for game fish. These baitfishes tend to follow drifting blooms of algae and plankton, which move with currents and wind. Keep this in mind when the current and winds kick up, and fish the windblown side of the reservoirs. Bass will use offshore points as a reference and a place to ambush prey. Oxygen stratification is a problem in warm weather. Bass will be found only at certain depths; the thermocline. The thermocline contains cooler water and higher oxygen content. In reservoirs with very clear water Largemouth bass may be present, but they will move to deeper water to avoid predation by birds. They will migrate along routes from mid level depths to deep drops to feed on the area forage. The fishing may be better a night when the bass move to shallower water such as humps or shallow flats to feed on crawfish, minnows and shiners. Ponds and small lakes can provide great fishing for big bass. Water levels can remain constant allowing vegetation to take hold and flourish. This heavy vegetation can made fishing difficult, but provide a great habitat for bass. The vegetation provides place for small baitfish to hide, places for bass to ambush their prey, and increase the oxygen level of the water. Fallen trees, deep holes, rocky areas, and rock piles around man-made dames can be very productive fishing spots. If you plan on fishing a pond on private property, be sure to get permission from the land owner. Small lakes will be similar to ponds in that shoreline vegetation can be heavy and the focus of life will be in and around this vegetation. Larger lakes can take on some attributes of reservoirs as thermocline and bait fish are concerned. In larger lakes look for reefs, offshore weed lines, humps, islands, and other structure. Some Northern lakes can be infertile. The water is very clear with a lake of plankton and algae. With these conditions walleye and trout fishing might be a better idea. Largemouth bass may be present, but they will move to deeper water to avoid predation by birds. They will migrate along routes from mid level depths to deep drops to feed on the area forage. The fishing may be better a night when the bass move to shallower water such as humps or shallow flats to feed on crawfish, minnows and shiners. Deep highland lakes tend to be rocky with a lake of vegetation. These lakes often have deep clear water and a lack of cover. Smallmouth bass may be the prominent species. Largemouth and spotted bass will also be found there. In these rocky lakes look for points, creek andriver channels, drop offs and shallow spawning flats. When using live bait try to match the nature bait which is usually bait fish and crawfish. Wood is excellent cover for Bass. Common wood cover includes Standing timber and fallen trees either totally or partially submerged stumps, brush, logs and logjams, floating or sunken, and manmade structure such as fence rows, docks, and pilings. As wood deteriorates over time, its attraction to bass will change over time. In a new reservoir wood in the water attracts tremendous amounts of baitfish. These baitfish attract Bass. The Bass fishing in these areas will remain great for years. This is called the “hot-period” of the reservoir. As the wood continues to decompose the baitfish often move father offshore, and the Bass follow. As good as the fishing is when wood structure is common over time this wood becomes a detriment to the reservoir or lake. While abundant live vegetation increases the oxygen level, old decaying wood uses oxygen in the process. If a lake or reservoir has a lot of brush and wood decaying on the bottom the oxygen levels decline. As oxygen levels decline the bottom is often unproductive for bass fishing. If your favorite lake or reservoir is lettered with old decaying wood on the bottom try top water baits. Look for docks that are isolated. These docks will be more productive then groups of docks. If you can find a floating dock, or a dock just off the surface of the water fish it. Bass seem to prefer cover that is closer or submerged just below the water line. Many Anglers consider vegetation to be the ultimate cover for bass. Vegetating produces oxygen which increases the ability to support life to the surrounding area. Vegetation also provides cover for small baitfish and infant fish, and an ambush point for bass. Look for vegetation that is green with a definite structure rather than brownish or slimy and filamentous. Also if you plan on fishing vegetation or weeds bring along the right equipment, such as weed less hooks and lures. Some types of vegetation to look for are; Hydrilla, Lily pads, floating weeds such as hyacinths, emergent grasses, subsurface grasses, green mosses, and reeds. Keep an eye out for lily pads that move, spooked bass will zigzag through the pads. Don’t leave the area, the bass will usually come back in a few minutes. For some reason bass only seem to migrate into reed fields on calm days. Avoid the reeds on windy days; the bass simply will not be there. Even on the hottest and coldest days bass will be found in areas of vegetation Rocks can provide for fairly good fishing, but not as good as wood structure and vegetation. Rocks do not give off oxygen or provide places to hide within its structure. Rocks do however provide a storage system for the collection of nutrients in the water. Minute particles of decaying matter are caught in the spaces between the cracks of large rocks. These pockets of decaying matter attract bait fish and crayfish. As always were the bait fish and crayfish are, the bass will follow. Smaller rocks will provide more productive fishing. Gravel will hold large amounts of decaying matter attracting bait fish and crayfish. Smallmouth bass also find these areas suitable for spawning. In very clear water Largemouth bass may be present, but they will move to deeper water to avoid predation by birds. They will migrate along routes from mid level depths to deep drops to feed on the area forage. The fishing may be better a night when the bass move to shallower water such as humps or shallow flats to feed on crawfish, minnows and shiners. During the summer months the temperature are at their highest. The oxygen near the surface of the water is often depleted of oxygen. This lack of oxygen forces fish to deeper waters, except early in the morning and late evening hours. During these times of the day Largemouth Bass feed on schooling bait fish. The fall season in the mid to southern states is often good for feeding fish. They will use mid lake humps, coves and mid water depths. The winter season in the southern states moves Bass to deep water or shallow water with a heavy cover of vegetation. Bass at this time of the year are very inactive. Try to get them to bite with reaction strikes. Bass fishing in the North at this same time is all but no existing. During spring bass can be found in shallow flats never a variety of cover as they prepare to spawn. During this time bass should always be returned to the water immediately if caught. Remember spring starts at different times in different parts of the county. In the south spring can start as early as February, while in the North it may come as late as May. Vegetation is prevalent in many lakes and river systems. The more vegetation in a body of water the more likely the bass will be found in shallow water even in the hottest or coldest months of the year. Vegetation provides a hiding spot for infant fish and a great place for bass to ambush their prey. Some types of vegetation to look for are; Hydrilla, Lily pads, floating weeds such as hyacinths, emergent grasses, subsurface grasses, green mosses, and reeds. Keep an eye out for lily pads that move, spooked bass will zigzag through the pads. Don’t leave the area, the bass will usually come back in a few minutes. For some reason bass only seem to migrate into reed fields on calm days. Avoid the reeds on windy days; the bass simply will not be there. Ideal Largemouth Bass temperature is between 80 to 90 degrees in slow to non-flowing water with an abundance of vegetation. The ideal temperature range differs within about 10 to 15 degrees depending on the part of the country the bass inhabit. In the Northern states Largemouth Bass will tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They function best in water between 65 and 90 degrees. In the Southern states the summer range tolerated by bass is between 87 to 92 degrees. Although they tolerate a high water temperature then their cousins up North prolonged temperatures above 95 degrees can kill them. Florida bass can tolerate even high temperature do the warm year round climate. These Florida bass can survive short periods of water temperatures reaching in to 100 degrees. As Bass in the south can tolerate higher temperatures, bass in the North can tolerate colder temperatures. Bass in the North can survive in near freezing temperature. They will seek out deeper water and can survive under the ice for 5 to 6 months, providing the oxygen level is 5 ppm or higher. Remember the above temperatures are a preferred range, but bass will be found outside these ranges. If vegetation is heavy bass can tolerate higher temperatures. When their food supply migrates largemouth will move from deeper cooler water to shallow warmer water to find food. The larger the bass the more they will move from within temperature ranges while smaller bass tend to remain in shallow warmer water to feed and avoid predators. A brief non PHD from Harvard explanation of oxygen and fertility is covered below. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is measured in part per million (ppm). Oxygen levels are Vidal for bass. Bass require a higher level of dissolved oxygen then most game fish. Fully saturated water measures at 10 ppm. Bass are stressed at a DO of 5 especially in warm water. They do best in DO levels of 8-9 ppm in water temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. Because of their demand for high levels of oxygen bass are normally found in water less than 20 feet deep. Keep the general theme that bass need a lot of oxygen when deciding where to fish. Areas with plenty of vegetation, shallow water, proximity to moving water tend to be better places to fish. Remember that areas with less oxygen will be less productive when fishing due to its lake of fertility. The fertility of a lake determines in pounds the amount of fish a body of water can maintain. In a very fertility body of water where organic matter is abundant oxygen is consumed often faster than it can be replaced. This lack of oxygen forces bass to shallow areas which have a larger amount of dissolved oxygen. As animals and plants die and sink to the bottom they decompose. This decomposition reduces the amount of available oxygen. In low fertility lakes the water is normally deep clear water with ample oxygen levels even in its deepest areas. They often lake in vegetation and are heavily rock bound. These low fertility bodies of water are usually located in the colder region of the Canadian Shield. These waters make better smallmouth and trout waters.
[Read More]
