|
|
Common name: Largemouth Bass (also commonly called black bass, bucketmouth, bigmouth bass and Oswego bass)
Scientific name: Micropterus salmoides
California record: 21 lbs. 12 oz. from Castaic Lake on March 5, 1991 by angler Michael Arujo.
Description: Physically, the largemouth bass has a large mouth, a nick between the two dorsal fins, and a dark stripe on the side of its body. The color of largemouth bass may vary but are usually a dark green color on their back and sides, which gives way into a light green to almost off-white color on the fish’s belly. The fish’s upper jaw stretches beyond the rear of its eye. Its pelvic fins are separated and not connected by a membrane. There are 9 to 11 spines on the anterior dorsal fin and 12 to 14 rays on the posterior dorsal fin.
Largemouth bass on average weigh 1 to 2 lbs. and grow to 18 inches in length although much larger fish weighing double digits are not uncommon. Females will grow bigger than males.
Like most fish, largemouth bass experience and recognize their environment through palpable, visual, auditory and chemical means. The fish is also territorial and will attempt to eat or strike at anything in its area.
There are two types of largemouth bass, the northern and the Florida strain. The Western United States has primarily the northern strain, but over the last 20 years, the Florida strain has been found in reservoirs in Southern California and in Northern California at Clear Lake.
Habitat: Largemouth bass are a freshwater fish that prefer a habitat of temperate, clear, calm and highly-vegetated water. They are commonly found in ponds, reservoirs, lakes, streams and swamps. They prefer shallow water and are rarely found in waters deeper than 20 ft. Clear, vegetated water is necessary to the Largemouth Bass’ habitat in order for the fish to hide from predators and to be able to use its vision to detect predators and prey.
Largemouth bass are local to eastern North America and can be found anywhere from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They can also be found from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to the central United States region. Many waters in California hold good populations of largemouth bass.
Reproduction: Largemouth Bass spawn during late spring to early summer while the water temperature is around 60 F. A male will build a nest in shallow water, usually on a rigid bottom. A female swims near the nest and lays her eggs in the nest, although sometimes eggs will be distributed on leaves instead of a nest. After the female lays her eggs, the male protects the eggs until they hatch. The female will release anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 eggs. It normally takes 3 to 4 days for the eggs to hatch.
The fry leave the nest after their yolk sacs have been absorbed and form a tight school in about 5 to 8 days. The school of fish typically hovers over the nest feeding, while the male stays to protect them. After the fish get to be about 3 cm. in length, which usually takes one month, they leave the school and become independent. From this point on, the fish continue to grow at different rates throughout their lifespan. In the first year, Largemouth Bass grow from 10 to about 20 cm. in length. The fish will continue to grow for about five to six years until the growth rate becomes stagnant.
Male largemouth bass reach their sexual or reproductive maturity when they are 3 to 4 years old, while females reach theirs at 4 to 5 years old.
Eating habit: Young largemouth bass eat primarily crustaceans, aquatic insects, zooplankton, and small fishes like small shad, muskellunge, walleye, northern pike and yellow perch.
Mature largemouth bass typically feed on large invertebrates like crayfish, sunfish, minnows, carp, frogs and generally every fish species available to it including its own.
Largemouth will feed during the day or at night and can sometimes be seen boiling on baitfish on the surface.
Fishing methods, tips, and best lures and baits: Largemouth bass can caught on both live bait and artificial lures. Good live baits include minnows, shiners, shad, worms and crawfish.
Most anglers prefer to target largemouth using artificial lures. Since big tournaments and countless hours are spent targeting these popular fish, there are many, many lures and techniques that can be effective. Plastics, spoons, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and more can all be used effectively depending on the time of year and conditions.
A good baitcaster and matching rod is a good start as far as gear. Again, there many different rod/reel/lure combinations that can be utilized depending on the situation.
Line also depends on conditions; from 6-lb. test for light-line applications to 20-lb. or greater for heavy cover.
Many in-the-know big bass hunters target big largemouth using large trout-imitating swimbaits at reservoirs known for big fish.
Best times of the year for targeting this species: Largemouth bass can be caught year-round, but are usually toughest to catch during winter. Big bass hunters do well in spring around the spawn, and in the fall when the fish are fattening up for the winter.
|
|
|
|
