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Bass: is a name shared by many different species of popular game fish. The
term encompasses both freshwater and marine species, many of which
are native to North America and surrounding waters. All belong to
the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the
word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."[1] Bass
can measure up to 80 cm (although exceptional 100 cm long bass have
been recorded)
LARGEMOUTH BASS
(Micropterus salmoides floridanus)
Common Names - black bass, Florida bass, Florida (or southern)
largemouth, green bass, bigmouth, bucketmouth, linesides, Oswego
bass and green trout.
Description - The largemouth is the largest member of the sunfish
family. It generally has light greenish to brownish sides with a
dark lateral line which tends to break into blotches towards the
tail. Often confused with smallmouth and spotted bass, it is easily
distinguishable because the upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge
of the eye. Also, its first and second dorsal fins are almost
separated by an obvious deep dip, and there are no scales on the
soft-rayed second dorsal fin or on the anal fin.
Subspecies - Two are recognized: the northern largemouth (M. s.
salmoides) and the Florida largemouth (M. s. floridanus). The two
look much the same, but the Florida largemouth has 69-73 scales
along the lateral line compared to the northern largemouth's 59-65
scales. Florida bass grow to trophy size more readily than northern
largemouth in warm waters.
Range - Originally, the Florida largemouth was found only in
peninsular Florida, but they have been stocked in several other
states including Texas and California. Pure northern largemouth bass
are not found in Florida. Genetic intergrades between the
subspecies, however, occur throughout north Florida.
Habitat - Prefers clear, nonflowing waters with aquatic vegetation
where food and cover are available. They occupy brackish to
freshwater habitats, including upper estuaries, rivers, lakes,
reservoirs and ponds. Also, they can tolerate a wide range of water
clarities and bottom types, prefer water temperatures from 65 to 85
degrees, and are usually found at depths less than 20 feet.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs from December through May, but
usually begins in February and March in most of Florida when water
temperatures reach 58 to 65 degrees and continues as temperatures
rise into the 70s. The male builds saucer-shaped nests 20 to 30
inches in diameter by placing its lower jaw near the bottom and
rotating around this central location. Bass prefer to build nests in
hard-bottom areas along shallow shorelines or in protected areas
such as canals and coves. Depending on her size, the female can lay
up to 100,000 eggs, which are fertilized as they settle into the
nest. After spawning is completed, usually five to 10 days, the male
guards the nest and eggs and later the young (sometimes called fry)
attacking anything that approaches the nest. The female bass stays
near the nest or may swim a short distance and remain listless for
up to a day. After hatching, the fry swim in tight schools,
disbanding when the small fish reach a length of about one inch.
Distinguishing between male and female bass based on external
characteristics is very difficult, except with mature fishes during
spawning season. At that time, a milky substance (milt) can be
extruded from the vent of males and a few greenish colored eggs may
appear at the vent of females. Females, however, grow significantly
larger than males. Virtually all bass over eight pounds are female.
Feeding Habits - The diet of bass changes with its size. Young fish
feed on microscopic animals (zooplankton) and small crustaceans such
as grass shrimp and crayfish. Fingerling bass feed on insects,
crayfish, and small fishes. Adult bass will eat whatever is
available, including fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, salamanders,
snakes, mice, turtles and even birds.
Age and Growth - Growth rates are highly variable with differences
attributed mainly to their food supply and length of growing season.
Female bass live longer than males and are much more likely to reach
trophy size. By age two or three, females grow much faster than male
bass. Males seldom exceed 16 inches, while females frequently
surpass 22 inches. At five years of age females may be twice the
weight of males. One-year old bass average about seven inches in
length and grow to an adult size of 10 inches in about 1-1/2 to
2-1/2 years. The oldest bass from Florida whose age has been
determined by fisheries biologists was 16 year of age. Generally,
trophy bass (10 pounds and larger) are about 10 years old. The
formula used by Florida scientists to estimate weight based on
length and girth is: log(weight, in grams) = -4.83 + 1.923 x
log(total length, in mm) + 1.157 x log(girth, in mm). Click here for
an automated formula, and here to determine how to properly measure
your fish.
Sporting Qualities - The largemouth bass is Florida's most popular
freshwater game fish. Much of its popularity is due to its
aggressive attitude and willingness to strike a lure or bait with
explosive force. They will strike almost any kind of artificial lure
or live bait, but most are taken on plastic worms, surface plugs,
spinnerbaits, crankbaits, bass bugs and shiner minnows. The value of
the largemouth as a sport fish has prompted a movement toward
catch-and-release fishing. As a sport fish, specific bag and size
limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as
part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big
Catch" program. Black bass are the most popular sportfish in north
America and their value to Florida is immense (see: Florida Bass
Values for more details). Florida's top ten bass destinations are
updated annually on our fishing sites/forecast page.
Eating Quality - The meat is white, flaky and low in oil content.
The flavor depends upon the way the fish are cleaned and prepared.
The strong weedy taste of bass caught in some waters may be
eliminated by skinning the fish and salting and peppering the
fillets before battering. Fillets usually are fried, while larger
ones may be baked.
World Record - 22 pounds, 4 ounces, caught in Montgomery Lake,
Georgia in 1932.
SUWANNEE BASS
(Micropterus notius)
Common Names - No other common names are known. It is sometimes
incorrectly identified as a smallmouth bass, redeye bass or a
spotted bass.
Description - A heavy-bodied bass seldom exceeding 12 inches long.
The most unique characteristic of a mature Suwannee bass is its
bright turquoise, blue coloring on the cheeks, breast, and ventral
parts. The upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye. Also, there is
a shallow notch between the dorsal fins with a distinct connection
between the spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins. A pattern of dark
vertical blotches occurs along the lateral line. There is generally
a distinct dark blotch where the lateral line meets the caudal fin.
Scales are present on bases of dorsal, anal and caudal fins.
Subspecies - It is a distinct species with no known subspecies.
Range - Originally restricted to the Suwannee and Ochlockonee River
systems of Florida and Georgia. Also occupies spring-fed lower
reaches of the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers, tributaries of the
Suwannee River and the St. Marks and Aucilla/Wacissa systems where
it was introduced.
Habitat - Generally prefers more rapidly flowing water along rocky
shoal areas but is not restricted to these areas. Also found in
large springs and spring runs. The Suwannee bass is designated a
"Species of Special Concern" because of its limited range.
Degradation of habitat or water quality in the Suwannee and
Ochlockonee rivers could threaten this species.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs from February to June when water
temperatures reach 65 to 68 degrees. Reproduction is similar to the
largemouth bass including nest construction.
Feeding Habits - Young fish feed on aquatic insects and small
crustaceans. Larger fish feed heavily on crayfish and also take
small fishes.
Age and Growth - Suwannee bass are generally smaller than largemouth
bass. A two-pound fish is considered large. It seldom exceeds a
length of 10 inches or a weight of 12 ounces.
Sporting Qualities - First described as a species in 1949, the
Suwannee bass is seldom fished for specifically due to its small
size and limited range. For a small fish they are strong fighters
when caught on light tackle. Like largemouth bass they will take
live baits or artificial lures. Popular lures and baits include
small crayfish-colored spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms, jigs
and crayfish. As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit
regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as part
of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big
Catch" program.
Eating Quality - White, flaky meat with a good flavor and may be
prepared like other freshwater bass.
State and World Record - 3 pounds, 14-1/4 ounces caught in the
Suwannee River in 1985.
SPOTTED BASS
(Micropterus punctulatus)
Common Names - Kentucky bass, Kentucky spotted bass, northern
spotted bass, Alabama spotted bass, Wichita spotted bass, black
bass, smallmouth bass and spot.
Description - Is similar in appearance to the largemouth bass. Has
green to olive-green hue; white, mottled belly; and a broad stripe
of broken blotches, usually diamond-shaped, along the midline of the
body. Unlike the largemouth, the spotted bass has scales on the base
portion of the second dorsal fin; its first and second dorsal fin
are clearly connected, and its upper jaw does not extend past the
eye. Above the lateral line there are dark markings, and below the
lateral line the scales have dark bases that give rise to the linear
rows of small spots which are responsible for the common name.
Subspecies - Three are recognized: the northern spotted bass (M. p.
punctulatus) has 60 to 68 scales along the lateral line, the Alabama
spotted bass (M. p. henshalli) has 68 to 75 scales along the lateral
line. Spotted bass can be found from Texas to the Florida panhandle
including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. The Wichita
spotted bass (thought by some to be extinct) is limited to the West
Cache Creek, Oklahoma. The Alabama spotted bass has been introduced
into California.
Range - While widely distributed outside Florida, the spotted bass
is restricted to streams of the panhandle from the Perdido River to
the Apalachicola River. Abundance is limited in this area, but the
fish primarily occurs in and west of the Choctawhatchee River.
Habitat - Prefers small to medium streams and rivers with clear,
slow-moving water, gravel or rock bottoms. Spotted bass may occupy
reservoirs, but are seldom found in natural lakes. They do not enter
brackish water.
Spawning Habits - Spawns very much like the largemouth. Spawning
occurs in the spring when water temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees.
Sexually mature mates build saucer-shaped nests on a soft, clay
bottom or on gravel bars generally near brush, logs or other heavy
cover. The eggs hatch in four or five days, yielding up to 3,000 fry
per nest.
Feeding Habits - The principal food items are crayfish, fish and
aquatic insects. The species is less piscivorous than other black
basses and seems to be more selective in its feeding habits.
Age and Growth - Tends to grow slower than largemouth bass and does
not attain as large a size as other species. The young grow to 1-1/2
to 4 inches the first summer. Maturity is reached at about seven
inches. Average lengths for fish aged 1 to 8 years are 4, 8, 12, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18 inches.
Sporting Qualities - Strong fighters when caught on light tackle.
Popular lures and baits include jigs, crankbaits, spinners, small
plastic worms and crayfish. As a sport fish, specific bag and size
limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as
part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big
Catch" program.
Eating Quality - White, flaky meat with good flavor. Generally
considered better eating than largemouth.
World Record - 9 pounds, 4 ounces, caught in Lake Perris, California
in 1987.
REDEYE BASS
(Micropterus coosae)
Common Names - Coosa bass, shoal bass, Flint River smallmouth,
Chipola bass, black bass. NOTE: Redeye bass may not exist in
Florida.
Description - The red color of eyes and fins easily separates this
species from other bass. Suwannee and shoal bass also have red eyes
but generally have less red on fins. Redeye bass generally are
brownish to greenish in color with vertical bars with light centers
along their sides and are bronze-olive above, dark olive mottling,
yellow-white to blue below. Has a prominent dark spot on the gill
cover. Has scales on the base portion of the soft-rayed dorsal fins,
clearly connected first and second dorsal fins, and an upper jaw
bone that does not extend beyond the eyes.
Subspecies - No known subspecies. There were two widely recognized
forms: the Apalachicola form, now separately described as the
species--shoal bass, and the Alabama form which remains classified
as a redeye bass.
Range - The redeye bass of Alabama and Georgia is so rare in Florida
that it is not considered a resident fish and in fact may never have
been collected here.
Habitat - Likely to be found in rocky runs, pools of creeks and
small to medium rivers close to main-channel habitat. They are
seldom found in natural lakes, pond or impoundments. Prefers a water
temperature of about 65 degrees. Shoal bass in the Chipola River are
closely associated with rock shoals and is uncommon in other
habitats.
Spawning Habits - Redeye bass spawn in coarse gravel at the heads of
creek pools in late May to early July. Will not spawn in ponds or
lakes. Prefers spawning temperature of 62 to 69 degrees. Like the
largemouth the male prepares the nest and guards the eggs and fry.
Feeding Habits - Redeye bass feed mainly on aquatic insects on the
surface. They also feed on larval insects, crayfish and fish.
Age and Growth - The growth rate of redeye bass is slow when
compared to other species of black bass. Growth is fast the first
year but decreases as the fish becomes older. Shoal bass grow much
faster than redeye bass.
Sporting Quality - Is a good game fish and a scrappy fighter that is
often difficult to catch. They can be caught on worms, minnows, or
crayfish as well as small spinners and a wide variety of small
surface lures. Some have been known to reach more than eight pounds.
As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit regulations apply.
Eating Quality - Good. Has white, flaky meat and tends to be drier
than that of a largemouth.
World Record - 8 pounds, 3 ounces, caught in the Flint River,
Georgia in 1977. This fish was actually a shoal bass.
SHOAL BASS
(Micropterus cataractae)
Common Names - shoal bass.
Description - Until October 1999, this species was variously
considered to be a redeye bass or subspecies of the redeye bass.
James Williams and George Burgess published the official description
of the new species in Volume 42, No. 2 of the "Bulletin of the
Florida Museum of Natural History," which was printed on October 8,
1999.
The red color of eyes associates this species with the redeye and
Suwannee bass at first glance. However, it is more closely related
to the spotted bass morphologically. Shoal bass generally are olive
green to nearly black along the back. A dusky dark blotch about
50-67 percent of the size of the eye occurs on the back edge of the
gill cover. Three diagonal black lines radiate along the side of the
head looking like war paint. 10-15 vertical blotches appear along
the sides with tiger-stripes often appearing in between.
The belly is creamy or white and wavy lines may appear slightly
above the white belly on the sides. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins
are dark olive green to grayish black. Pelvic fins may have a cream
colored leading edge with dark spots.
The shoal bass has scales on the base portion of the soft-rayed
dorsal fins, clearly connected first and second dorsal fins, and an
upper jaw bone that does not extend beyond the eyes.
Subspecies - No known subspecies. Until October 1999 this species
was considered to have been a subspecies of the redeye bass.
Range -The shoal bass is common in the Apalachicola, Chipola River
where shoals exists. It is also known in the Chattahoochee and Flint
river drainages.
Habitat - Shoal bass are closely associated with rock shoals and is
uncommon in other habitats.
Spawning Habits - Shoal bass spawn in coarse gravel at the heads of
creek pools in April and May, to early June. Prefers spawning
temperature of 64 to 73 degrees. Like the largemouth the male
prepares the nest and guards the eggs and fry.
Feeding Habits - Shoal bass feed mainly on aquatic insects on the
surface. They also feed on larval insects, crayfish and fish.
Age and Growth - Shoal bass grow much faster than redeye bass.
Sporting Quality - Is a good game fish and a scrappy fighter that is
often difficult to catch. They can be caught on worms, minnows, or
crayfish as well as small spinners and a wide variety of small
surface lures. Some have been known to reach more than eight pounds.
As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit regulations apply, and
you can register a qualifying catch as part of the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big Catch" program.
Eating Quality - Good. Has white, flaky meat and tends to be drier
than that of a largemouth.
World Record - 8 pounds, 3 ounces, caught in the Flint River,
Georgia in 1977. This fish was a shoal bass but originally reported
as the Apalachicola form of redeye bass.
Source:
FloridaFisheries.com, Copyright (c) 2009.
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