|
|
BASS FISHING ~ Guides,
Outfitters, Lodges and Free Information
|
|
Florida Bass Fishing |
Anglers across America are hooked on
Bass Fishing! Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are a challenge
to catch. Top destinations include Florida, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, New
Mexico, all the way to California. You can use your favorite
Bass fishing lure or try fly fishing for Bass.
More about Largemouth
Bass...
More about Smallmouth
Bass... |
|
|
|
 Hawg
Hunter Fishing Guide - 954-325-1115 - Florida
Bass fishing in Lake Okeechobee and Peacock Bass Fishing with the
famous Capt. Frank Carbone! Enjoy legendary bass fishing,
peacock bass fishing along with luxury accommodations at
affordable rates!
Get Free Info from Hawg Hunter Fishing Guide |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More about Largemouth Bass:
Other names: Black Bass, Green
Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass
Status: Game fish
Description
Two subspecies of largemouth bass exist in
Texas: the native Micropterus salmoides salmoides and the Florida
largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus. The two
subspecies are visually indistinguishable, although they may be
distinguished by genetic testing procedures. Both are usually green with
dark blotches that form a horizontal stripe along the middle of the fish
on either side. The underside ranges in color from light green to almost
white. The dorsal fin is almost divided, with the anterior portion
containing 9 spines and the posterior portion containing 12-13 soft rays.
Largemouth bass may be distinguished from other black basses in that the
upper jaw reaches far beyond the rear margin of the eye. Micropterus
is Greek, meaning "small fin" [see Guadalupe bass for further
explanation]. Salmoides is from the Greek salmo, meaning
"trout", and refers to the fact that largemouth bass have been called
"trout" in some southern states.
Angling Importance
The largemouth bass is by far the most
sought-after fish in Texas. When anglers were asked to "name the fish you
prefer to catch in freshwater in Texas," they chose largemouth bass three
to one over striped bass, four to one over white bass, nearly five to one
over channel catfish, and nearly ten to one over flathead catfish and
white crappie. Because of the strong interest in largemouth bass fishing,
there are hundreds of bass angling clubs in Texas devoted to fishing and
conservation. A 1995 survey indicated the rate at which 10-pound bass are
caught in Texas is over 13 times the rate in Florida, a state renowned for
its bass fishing. Over the last sixty years only one state, California,
has reported the capture of bass larger than those reported from Texas.
The state record fish was captured from Lake Fork in 1992 and weighed
18.18 pounds; length was 25.5 inches.
Biology
In Texas spawning begins in the spring when
water temperatures reach about 60°F. This could occur as early as February
or as late as May, depending one where one is in the state. Largemouth
bass prefer to nest in quieter, more vegetated water than other black
bass, but will use any substrate besides soft mud, including submerged
logs. Nests are usually built in two to eight feet of water. As in
Guadalupe bass, once the female has laid eggs in the nest (2,000 to
43,000) she is chased away by the male who then guards the precious eggs.
The young, called fry, hatch in five to ten days and remain in a school.
Male largemouth bass continue to guard their fry for several days after
hatching. Fry feed primarily on zooplankton and insect larvae. At about
two inches in length they become active predators. Adults feed almost
exclusively on other fish and large invertebrates such as crayfish.
Distribution
Largemouth bass were originally distributed
throughout most of what is now the United States east of the Rockies, with
limited populations in southeastern Canada and northeastern Mexico.
Because of its importance as a game fish, the species has been introduced
into many other areas worldwide, including nearly all of Mexico and south
into Central and South America. This fish prefers clear quiet water with
aquatic vegetation, but survives quite well in a variety of environments.
It is usually common or abundant wherever populations have been
established. Micropterus salmoides salmoides is native to all
natural waters in Texas, except in some parts of the Panhandle. The
Florida largemouth bass has been extensively stocked in the state because
of its propensity to produce more trophy-sized individuals.
|
|
More
about Smallmouth Bass:
Other names: Brown bass, brownie, bronze bass
Status: Game fish
Description
The smallmouth bass is generally green with
dark vertical bands rather than a horizontal band along the side. There
are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin, and the upper jaw never extends
beyond the eye. Micropterus is Greek meaning "small fin" [see
Guadalupe bass for further explanation]. The species epithet dolomieu
refers to the French mineralogist M. Dolomieu.
Angling Importance
Because of its reputation in other parts of
the US as an excellent sport fish, the smallmouth bass has been introduced
into a number of Texas reservoirs and streams. Minnows, crayfish, and
alderfly larvae (hellgrammites) are among the most successful live baits
used. Smallmouth bass now rank among the top 15 most preferred species.
Known maximum size in Texas exceeds 7.5 pounds.
Biology
Smallmouth bass prefer large clear-water
lakes (greater than 100 acres, more than 30 feet deep) and cool streams
with clear water and gravel substrate. In small streams a fish's activity
may be limited to just one stream pool or extend into several. Spawning
occurs in the spring. When water temperatures approach 60°F males move
into spawning areas. Nests are usually located near shore in lakes;
downstream from boulders or some other obstruction that offers protection
against strong current in streams. Mature females may contain 2000-15,000
golden yellow eggs. Males may spawn with several females on a single nest.
On average each nest contains about 2,500 eggs, but nests may contain as
many as 10,000 eggs. Eggs hatch in about 10 days if water temperatures are
in the mid-50's (°F), but can hatch in 2-3 days if temperatures are in the
mid-70's (°F). Males guard the nest from the time eggs are laid until fry
begin to disperse, a period of up to a month. As in other black bass, fry
begin to feed on zooplankton, switching to insect larvae and finally fish
and crayfish as they grow
Distribution
Smallmouth bass originally ranged north
into Minnesota and southern Quebec, south to the Tennessee River in
Alabama and west to eastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas. Today
there are few states, east or west of the Rocky Mountains, where
populations have not become established. Florida and Louisiana are
apparently free of smallmouth bass. In Texas the species has been stocked
in numerous areas, particularly streams of the Edwards Plateau.
|
|
|
