BASS FISHING ~ Guides, Outfitters, Lodges and Free Information |
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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. |
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Florida Bass Fishing |
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Other names: Black Bass, Green
Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass DescriptionTwo 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 ImportanceThe 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. BiologyIn 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. DistributionLargemouth 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.
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More
about Smallmouth Bass:
Other names: Brown bass, brownie, bronze bass 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 ImportanceBecause 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. BiologySmallmouth 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 DistributionSmallmouth 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.
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