F l y F i s h i n g T r i c k s . c o m

More about The Large Mouthed Black Bass

BREEDING AND GROWTH

The breeding habits of the large mouthed bass do not differ materially from those of the small mouthed except that he will take advantage of his habitat and build his nest on the roots of a water plant. Being larger, as a rule, the females lay more eggs, have larger broods, and nesting in warm water, the eggs hatch sooner and the fry grow faster. Another advantage is that the fry do not develop cannibalism until they reach the fingerling stage.

Large mouthed bass average more in weight than the small mouthed of equal age but in Northern waters their maximum weight is but little more. In the South, where the winters are mild and food abundant, the fish do not hibernate and feed the year around and attain great weights. Dr. Henshall has taken these Southern bass up to fourteen pounds on a fly and up to twenty pounds on bait. I have seen a mounted specimen that is said to have weighed twenty-two pounds and he looked it. These extra large fish, however, are nowhere abundant but many are caught in Southern waters up to ten pounds.

The average weights of the prize winners since 1912 of the different classes in the Field and Stream annual contests are as follows: Southern, 13 3/4 pounds; northern, 9 1/4pounds.

GAMENESS

A great many anglers are of the opinion that the small mouthed bass is the gamer fish. Authorities say not but in the light of my own experience I agree with the lay majority and cast my vote in favor of dolomieu. Dr. Henshall and others tell us that when taken from the same waters there is little difference in their fighting abilities, the natural speed of the small mouthed being off-set by the greater weight and strength of salmoides. My experience is that these fish are seldom taken in the same waters. They are often found in the same lake or river but it is usually possible for the fish to gratify their individual preferences and the large mouthed bass is usually found in the weeds; the small mouthed on the bars or ledges or where there are currents. When the two fishes actually are taken from the same water there is little difference in their fighting and no one can tell which fish he has hooked.

I have taken large mouthed bass in weedy, shallow waters when the fight was decidedly disappointing but under favorable circumstances the large mouthed bass is a game fish of the first class. He also has the reputation of rising more willingly to the fly, which is much in his favor.

I would rather catch small mouthed bass but I consider the large mouthed the more valuable fish because of his greater adaptability.

Edibility

When taken from cold clear water the large mouthed black bass is a fine food fish. When from weedy waters, especially in mid-summer, he is apt to have a slighty "muddy " flavor which can best be remedied by skinning the fish.

ROCK BASS

(Ambloplites rupestris)

I include this little cousin of the black basses merely because he is so often found in good bass streams, being something of a nuisance when the bass are rising well but welcome enough when the larger, better fish register indifference to our masterful casting!

In appearance the rock bass is a sort of connecting link between the common sunfishes and the black bass. His color tends towards mottled, olive green and he has a large mouth and a large red eye. He is often called " goggle-eye." In size he seldom exceeds a pound, more often half that weight, but is a willing riser to the fly, strikes viciously and, for a short time at least, puts up a good fight for his ounces.

The rock bass frequents the same places as his larger cousin, lives on the same food and his breeding habits are similar. They often travel in small schools and are very fond of underwater rock piles, stone abutments and such places where they find food and cover. When taken from cold water they are good pan fishes and for this reason are great favorites with young anglers.

The other sunfishes - crappies, blue gills, pumpkin seeds, etc.,- all rise to the fly under favorable conditions, ranking as game fishes about the same as the rock bass. One also hooks pike, pickerel and pike-perch when fly fishing for bass.

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