Largemouth Bass Essay

Tyler Hunter

Mrs. Dwiggins

Computers

October 10, 2014
The Largemouth Bass

I have chosen to do some research on the Largemouth Bass. I will give

you information that you will need to know about this topic. Here are some facts

about this wonderful fish. The Largemouth bass has a scientific name of Micropterus salmoides. This

fish is part of the sunfish family and yet it looks nothing like a sunfish nor acts

like a sunfish. Largemouth Bass can be found from southern Canada to Mexico but

have been introduced all over the world. It is widely believed to inhabit in shallow,

weed covered water. Most information about Largemouth Bass if coming from

ichthyologist, (study of fish) not fisherman. The Largemouth Bass gets its name
from

having their mouth extend beyond the rear of their eye. They have a horizontal line

running down their back that looks like a heart monitor. Maybe thats why they get our

hearts racing? They are kinda dark green on the top and slowly get pale towards the

bottom of the fish.
They can depend on their color due to where they live and

spawning activity. Like most predators, their camouflage is extremely effective. It is

almost impossible to tell the differences between males and female bass but the

females are the larger gender. Largemouth Bass is the best known and most popular

game fish in North America. The world record for the Largemouth bass is 25.10 lbs.

that bass was foul hooked which means it didn't bite on the bait, it got snagged on it.

The real world record is 22 lbs 4 ounces. Bass can grow up to 20 lbs but it is very rare to find a 10lbs bass. They actually have 6 senses: Along with the usual, hearing,

seeing, smell, taste, and touch they also have the lateral line, which is a series of

sensitive nerve endings that extends from just behind the gill to the tail on each side

of the fish. Everybody always get all the bass mixed up but there are many types like

the Largemouth, Smallmouth, Black bass, White bass, etc. Bass from murky waters

usually are pale and the bass in the clear water are usually a darker color. Here at

the Lake, the bass are really pale and white on the belly. Scientists have proven
that

colors stand out to bass in shallow water, especially red and white. Scientists have

proven that you will catch more bass with a red or white lure in shallow waters.
Now that I have told you some about the Largemouth bass, I will tell you all the

other types of bass there are in the bass family. First off, all the bass have lots of

nicknames but I am trying to call them their real names and no nicknames. We have

the Largemouth, Smallmouth, Black, White, Striped, Hybrid, Shoal, and lots more I

can't think of off my head! I love to bass fish and I love to fish for bass! I am more of a

crappie/catfish guy but I have caught lots of bass. I just fish from my dock and i have

had most luck with a little rattle trap shinner sexy shad bait. If you are wondering, yes

sexy shad is a real bait look it up.

The males are very territorial. Largemouth Bass have interesting breeding

habits. The male will prepare the nest, usually in one to four feet of water. He will use

his fins to expose gravel, shells, or plant roots on the bottom, making a circle two to three feet wide. During the breeding season, each male prepares and builds a nest in

shallow water. Nests are generally very crude in design. Once the nest is built a

female swims near, and following an act of courtship, she lay her eggs in the
nest.

The males are very territorial. Largemouth bass have bodies that are both elongated

and thick, providing them with the ability to swim very quickly for short bursts. The

largest largemouth bass caught weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces in Georgia in 1932.

This is one of the oldest and most revered records in all of game fishing. Found

statewide in lakes and rivers, they are commonly found along vegetation, or

underwater structure, but schooling bass are also found in the middle of lakes.

Largemouth bass prefer quiet, clear waters with abundant vegetation. More

specifically, they prefer shallow water that is usually no deeper than 2.5 meters, but

they sometimes occupy deeper regions. Abundant vegetation is important because it

allows bass to hide from their prey and provides protection against predators. Their

environment is also made up of regions of clear waters where the bass' vision can be

utilized to detect prey.

Now that I have told you about the Largemouth bass, go out and grab a fishing

pole and try and catch some bass! You will have a great time(if u get a bass,

otherwise it isnt fun when u come home with nothing). Bass will bite on almost

anything in any depth of water any time of the year. Go fishing with your parents or

kids or grandkids or grandparents. It will be worth your time.