Bass
Micropterus salmoides
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Habitat: Bass (fish) common name for many food fishes, but not corresponding to any particular scientific classification. Various bass are known by such local names as black, white, or rock bass.
In the United States there are 9 genera and 30 species of fish in the family containing bass and sunfish. The calico bass, also called black crappie, is found from the Great Lakes and upper Mississippi Valley to New Jersey and southward to Florida, Louisiana, and Texas; it reaches a length up to 36 cm (14 in), but rarely weighs more than 0.2 kg (0.5 lb). The rock bass rarely exceeds that weight and is a poor food fish. It is abundant west of the Allegheny Mountains, south to Louisiana, and north into Manitoba, Canada. The most important basses in this family are the black basses. The largemouth black bass is also called bayou, lake, or straw bass, and sometimes, in the southern United States, trout. The smallmouth black bass resembles the largemouth bass, and the spotted bass is found in the Mississippi basin. Largemouth bass are found throughout the central United States and may reach a weight of 9 kg (20 lb). Smallmouth bass are found from Lake Champlain southwest to the Appalachian region; they reach a maximum weight of about 2.3 kg (about 5 lb). See Also Crappie.
Members of a second family, the sea bass family, are hermaphroditic that is, individuals have both male and female reproductive organs. Although part of the sea bass family, some of these family members are freshwater fishes. The black sea bass, also known as blackfish, is found on the Atlantic coast of the United States and is usually 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) long. The kelp bass is a saltwater rockfish of California in the same family.
The temperate bass family includes the striped bass, sometimes called rock bass or rockfish, of the U.S. Atlantic coast. Occasional specimens reach a weight of 45 kg (100 lb). The white bass of the Great Lakes and upper Mississippi Valley and the yellow bass of the lower Mississippi region are also in this family; both reach a maximum size of 45 cm (18 in) and a maximum weight of 2.3 kg (5 lb).
The croaker family includes the red drum, also known as the channel bass.
Biology: Bass belong to the order Perciformes. Most bass are included within the sunfish family, Centrarchidae; the sea bass family, Serranidae; and the temperate bass family, Percichthyidae. Of those belonging to the family Centrarchidae, the calico bass is classified as Pomoxis nigromaculatus, the rock bass as Ambloplites rupestris, the largemouth black bass as Micropterus salmoides, the smallmouth black bass as Micropterus dolomieu, and the spotted bass as Micropterus punctulatus. Bass in the family Serranidae include the black sea bass, classified as Centropristes striata, and the kelp bass, classified as Paralabrax clathratus. In the family Percichthyidae, the striped bass is classified as Morone saxatilis, the white bass as Morone chrysops, and the yellow bass as Morone mississippiensis. The red drum, or channel bass, is classified in the drum family, Sciaenidae, as Sciaenops ocellatus.
Angling: Largemouth bass will bite on almost anything. They can be caught on minnows, worms, or other live bait, plus poppers or streamers presented with a fly rod, or plugs thrown from a casting or spinning rod. Because the bass is usually associated with weeds, a weedless bait will often be necessary. Best fishing times are early morning and evening during the warm months. Bass like warm water and warm weather. Few bite in the winter.
Angling: Smallmouth bass pound for pound are the scrappiest fish of all fresh water bass. It is usually associated with a rocky stream or lake environment where its favorite food, the crayfish, is abundant. Some of the best lake fishing takes place in June during, and just after, the spawning season, and in early fall. Natural baits like hellgrammites, dragonfly larvae and crayfish are especially effective during early morning or late evening. (Note: in many places it is illegal to possess live crayfish while fishing or while possessing angling equipment on any inland water.) Probably the best artificial baits are those used on the surface. Light tackle is ideal. Fish quietly, casting toward rocks or logs, keeping the rod tip up and the line taut. |
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