Bass fishing ~ the #1 Freshwater Sport in U.S.A.

Bass fishing is the top freshwater sport of fishing in America. It’s a multi-billion industry, with lot of businesses depending on the bass anglers for their livelihood. Fishing guides, tackle stores, boats sale and rental, and motels are some of the businesses that gain from this weird-looking fish.

The term “bass” covers a large number of different species of freshwater as well as saltwater fish, and various species of black bass. The term “black bass” which include the Suwanee, Guadalupe, redeye and spotted bass is a common name for all the species and subspecies of the genus Micropterus, which belong to the Centrarchidae family of sunfish. And they’re strictly freshwater species.

Main Species of Bass

In the world of bass fishing, 4 main species of bass are highly targeted by sport and professional bass anglers. And they’re the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and peacock bass. The largemouth and the smallmouth bass are the most popular species of the black bass. The striped bass is both a freshwater and saltwater species. The striper is an excellent sport-fish which can grow to very large size, attaining weights of 60 lbs. or more. The peacock bass which is also a very popular freshwater gamefish is actually a cichlid.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmonides) is the #1 freshwater fish pursued by most America’s anglers. Due to introduced stocks, this species of the black bass is widespread all over the U.S.A. With its willingness to attack artificial lures of almost all types and patterns, aggressively, combined with the acrobatic displays to throw off the hook, and powerful bursts for covers, anglers are always back for more. And that made largemouth bass fishing very exciting.

Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) is one of the most exciting freshwater gamefish of N. America. Although smaller in size than the largemouth bass it’s very impressive when hooked, with more repeated acrobatic leaps. Though it feeds on much the same prey as the largemouth, it has different lifestyles.

Smallmouth bass prefers cool-clear and deeper water. Where the largemouth bass is happy with weedy areas of the waters, smallmouth bass prefer rocky, uneven bottoms, hiding behind rocks and boulders, and away from heavy vegetation. They’re rarely found in stagnant and murky waters. So, for smallmouth bass fishing, these are the likely places to look for them.

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is among the most popular saltwater and freshwater species in the U.S.A. Stripers are anadromous species, meaning that this species can live in saltwater and freshwater. They can be found in inshore waters of N. America and freshwater environments such as landlocked lakes and reservoirs. They migrate into rivers to spawn.

The striped bass, an excellent sport-fish can reach a length of 4 ft. and range in weights from a few lbs. to 60 lbs. or more.

Fishing Methods

Freshwater striped bass fishing methods include live baiting, trolling, jigging and casting. Live baiting is still-fished while the boat is at anchor or adrift with live or cut bait, which is very effective, especially, using lively large shiners. Because stripers are migratory fish many bass anglers prefer trolling with artificial lures and flies. Jigging for striped bass is often done when fish are located in deeper water. Casting with surface or shallow running lures is done when school of strippers is spotted chasing after a school of baitfish.

Saltwater striped bass fishing techniques is wide, compared to catching other sea fishes. They can be trolled with dead or live baits, assorted artificial lures such as spoons, plugs and jigs. Spinning, baitcasting, conventional gear and fly equipment are tried with successful catch. Surfcasting from the shore with surf fishing’s gear is also one of them.

The peacock bass which is not exactly a true bass species but behave much the same as the largemouth bass is also a very popular species targeted by bass anglers. This species is not only widespread in the U.S.A. but also in most of the world’s warm-climate countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Bass fishing is truly an exciting and exhilarating sport. You simply must experience and get amongst some incredible sport-fishing action with these weird-looking fish, bass. It’s a fish that’s just too good to miss.

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Largemouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Striped Bass Fishing

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