Largemouth Bass Info – Understanding How to Catch Bass

You could spend hours upon hours learning about all of the different methods of how to catch Bass. But before you delve into all of the different techniques there are to catch them, perhaps the best place to start is to understand the fish that you are trying to catch. The following Largemouth Bass info will give you a basic understanding of how the fish functions, which will make you a better fisherman.

Basic Largemouth Bass Info

Largemouth Bass belong to the Micropterus group of the Sunfish family. This group of fish includes the Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Redey, Suuwannee, and Guadalupe Bass. Collectively these fish are called Black Bass.

The largemouth is named this because of the huge mouth that it possesses. These fish are found in almost every state in the United States. They are the most popular and most widespread of all the bass species.

There are 2 basic subspecies of the largemouth bass. They are the northern largemouth, and the Florida largemouth. The Florida largemouth have been stocked in several southern states, and typically have a faster growth rate than their northern cousin. A typical Florida strain of bass will grow to about 10 pounds in about 8 years, while the northern largemouth would only be about 5 pounds at 8 years of age.

Largemouths live about 10 years on average, but have been known to reach 16 years of age.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Vision

Bass rely on vision to both find food, and escape their predators. Their eyes are situated on the upper sides of their head. They can see pretty well in all directions, except backwards and straight down.

Water clarity determines how far the bass can see. In laboratory tests, red has been determined to be the color that bass see the best. But that doesn’t mean you should use a red lure every time you hit the water.

Red is the first color to dissipate, usually at a depth of around 10 ft. A general rule of thumb to apply in regards to colors of lures is to use bright or fluorescent lures is stained or murky water, and darker or muted colors in clear water. You will have to experiment with the lure colors on your favorite fishing hole to find what works best there.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Lateral Line

Bass have a distinctive lateral line. The lateral line is part of a network of nerve endings that detect the slightest of vibrations and sends them to the receptors in their inner ear. The lateral line kind of acts like an eardrum in humans.

The lateral line can help the bass determine if what they are sensing is predator or prey, and about where it is located. If the bass determines that it is prey, it will move in for a closer look, and rely on its vision to make a strike.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Hearing

Although all fish lack external ears, they do have inner ears. Their inner ears consist of tiny bones, that can pick up very slight sounds, such as bait stirring, or a crayfish moving among the pebbles. This is why many lures have rattles in them, or make noise.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Smell

The Largemouth Bass does not have a very good sense of smell. However, many bass fishermen swear that a scented lure helps them catch fish, primarily because they believe the fish will hold onto the bait a bit longer, giving them a chance to set the hook. But don’t rely on a bass to find your lure simply because of the smell.

Largemouth Bass Info on the Senses – Taste

Taste does not seem to matter to Largemouth Bass. They will eat about anything including minnows, crayfish, frogs, worms, snakes, lizards, flies, grasshoppers, and more. However, there are some fishermen who believe that salted worms or other flavored bait helps them catch fish.

By understanding the nature of the largemouth, and how it operates, you can become a better fisherman. The next time you learn a new bass fishing technique, remember your Largemouth Bass info, and use accordingly. Best of luck on your next fishing trip.

Originally posted 2011-03-27 20:17:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter