The largemouth bass is a freshwater carnivorous game fish. Micropterus salmoides has various regional names as Florida largemouth, Widemouth bass, green bass, Oswego bass, Gilsdorf bass. It is a member of the sunfish family.

Anglers mostly become “addicted to fishing” after targeting largemouth bass. 

Habitat and Range:

It is present in freshwater lakes and ponds and is regarded as the state fish of Mississippi and Georgia and the state freshwater fish of Florida and Alabama.

It is common across the Midwest, South, Northeast, West regions. They are common in less weedy areas. Adult bass mainly occupies the deeper regions of the lakes and reservoirs.

Under overhead covers, such as brush, overhanging banks, or submerged structures, such as humps, weed beds, points, ridges, and drop-offs are the most favorable places to find largemouth bass because these are the places where largemouth bass attack their prey. 

Characteristics:

Color:

The largemouth bass is olive-green to greenish-gray with dark marks, often black that jagged horizontal stripes across each flank.

Length and Weight:

The largemouth bass is the largest among the other basses and reaches approximately 75 cm, and weighs up to 11.4 kg.

Mouth and Jaws:

The large extended mouth of largemouth bass is the distinctive feature that differentiates it from other bass species.

The upper jaw is extended beyond the rear edge of the eyes.

Fins:

A deep dip separates the dorsal fins. The ray dorsal fin is present without scales. 

Lifespan:

The average adult lifespan is 10 to 16 years.

Feeding:

Largemouth bass primarily feed on

• Baitfish

• Small shrimp

• Scuds 

• Shad

• Copepods

• Banded killifish

• Crawfish

• Bluegill

• yellow perch

• Catfish

• walleye

• Trout

• Striped bass

• White bass

• Water fleas

• Insects 

• Small water birds

• Turtle hatchlings 

• Alligator hatchlings

• Frogs

• Salamanders

Predators:

The young and the adult largemouth bass are targeted mainly by bald eagles. The young largemouth bass are primarily preyed upon by

• Great blue herons

• Northern water snakes

• Northern pike

• Walleye

• Channel catfish

• Crappie

• Muskellunge

• American eels

Spawning Behavior:

In the Northern region of the US and Canada, the swapping occurs in late Apriluntil early July, while in the Southern part, it begins in March and is usually over by June.

Males build nests in the sandy and mucky regions twice their size. The eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days in Northern Mexico and the southern US. The infants are ready to swim in two more weeks after they hatch. Until then, they are guarded by the males. 

How to Catch Largemouth Bass:

The largemouth bass is the most intelligent freshwater fish and can easily distinguish and avoid the lures after only one encounter. There are specific popular methods to catch largemouth bass, and these are 

• Drift Fishing

• Trolling

• Still Fishing

Tips and Techniques to Catch Largemouth Bass: 

You can enjoy the best of your fishing experiences if you follow the following fishing tips,

• Locate the Largemouth bass habitats:

The largemouth bass is most commonly found in slow-moving rivers, covering vegetation, trees, and structures.

• Select the right equipment:

The right choice of gear and lures can change the whole game. Choose the lures  that mimic the prey that bass mostly feeds on.

The retrieval technique will help you choose the best rod and reel according to your lures and baits. The method relies upon the type of action or motion you give your bait or lure as you reel your line back in to retrieve it.

• Select the Natural baits:

Always enjoy the process and keep on experimenting with different baits but keep in mind the best choice is the natural live baits. However, the baits made of soft plastic that produce life-like movements can also be a good option.

So, to enjoy the largemouth bass fishing adventure you must be dressed up accordingly, our bass fishing clothes might brighten your day.