Of all the types of bass species found in North America, the largemouth bass is the most common and the top recreational species among freshwater fishermen due to its aggressive nature and willingness to strike a wide variety of artificial lures with explosive force.
Last updated on March 4th, 2025 at 03:09 pm
SUMMARY: Among the types of bass in North America, largemouth bass reign as the most popular with anglers. Their distinct appearance, habitat, and habits make them a challenging yet rewarding catch. Know the facts about largemouth bass for a successful and memoriable fishing experience.
Bass also present an alluring challenge to fishermen, some of whom spend their lives trying to figure out the fish’s patterns and nuances. Largemouth bass, in particular, make a worthy foe, considered to be the most intelligent of the species, able to distinguish and avoid a type of lure after only one encounter with it.
How to Identify a Largemouth Bass
The most common types of bass found in North America are smallmouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, and our friend the largemouth bass (scientific name: Micropterus salmoides). The largemouth is light to dark green, with dark blotches in a horizontal line on both sides of its torpedo-like body, which tapers at both ends. It distinguishes itself from the other bass species, according to takemefishing.org, by having a mouth that extends at least to, and often beyond the rear edge of its eyes.
Where to Find Bass
This member of the sunfish family can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams in every state in the contiguous United States, in Hawaii, and throughout Mexico and Central America. They thrive best in temperate to subtropical waters.
Largemouth bass can be found in and near submerged aquatic vegetation, tree limbs, submerged logs, and other cover, where they use vibration, hearing, sight, and smell to identify and seize prey, which can consist of fish, crawfish, frogs, lizards, insects ― even snakes, mice, and other “unexpected” larger prey.
They prefer lakes and ponds with sand or gravel bottoms that also support other species. Having said that, largemouths are extremely adaptable and do fine whether the water is warm or cold, shallow or deep, or murky or clear.
Interesting Facts about Bass
- Largemouth bass were first discovered in 1562 by the French in Florida, which is still considered one of the best places on earth to catch a trophy largemouth.
- Bass normally prefer live fish and other live aquatic life, which they swallow whole rather than biting to pieces, which limits the size of what they can eat. The bigger the bass, the bigger the prey they will pursue.
- Bass feed for two reasons: (1) because they are hungry, and (2) as a reflex toward anything that moves.
- Male largemouth bass rarely exceed 5 pounds. Females grow much larger, 10-12 pounds and over more than 20 pounds for certain Northern strains.
- According to wired2fish.com, female largemouth bass produce an average of 4,000 eggs per pound of body weight but they typically do not drop them all at once. Instead, they will spawn with multiple males ensuring the best possible survival rate.
- Bass have excellent eyesight and can see in low-light conditions, making them great predators.
- Bass usually feed by sight, though in muddy conditions and on the darkest nights, they can be attracted by sound or vibrations in the water.
- Bassfishingfacts.com notes that bass don’t always “strike.” So anglers must stay alert to feel for the gentle “mouthing” of a bait or lure to tip them off that a bass is on the line.
- Bass can live up to 15 years or more in the wild, but life spans usually range closer to 10-11 years.
- Bass can change their color to blend in with their surroundings, making them harder for predators to spot.
- Up till about 20 years ago, the largest bass were found in farm ponds. In more recent years, large reservoirs have taken over the title of most trophy-sized fish.
- Experts estimate that small bass can swim about 2 miles an hour, while the largest bass can top 10 mph in short spurts. Are you retrieving your lure too quickly? Probably not.
By understanding the different types of bass, as well as interesting facts about them, you’ll be well on your way to catching some trophy-sized bass. Remember to always follow safe fishing techniques and enjoy the great outdoors!
Sources
- TakeMeFishing.org – Largemouth Bass
- Largemouth Bass – Biology and Life History
- Largemouth Bass Facts – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- 10 Bass Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
- 24 Incredible Largemouth Bass Facts
