The Smallmouth Bass
The Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) is one of the most popular North American game fish second only to the Largemouth bass and Florida Largemouth Bass. The Smallmouth Bass, like all North American fresh water bass, are members of the sunfish family.
They are also known as black bass, smallie, redeye, bronzeback, brown bass and the brownie. They have a preference for clear lakes and rivers with moderate to low turbidity.
Table Fare
Not only are they known for their fighting abilities, but they are well known for the taste of their meat both at the campfire and the dinning room table.
Top Fighting Fish
Smallmouth bass are known for putting up a great fight. When you set your hook on one of these fish, you will think that you have a much bigger fish that you end up reeling in because they put up such a great fight that lasts for some time.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Smallmouth Bass fishing was a commercial endeavour. However, today Smallmouth Bass fishing is relegated to being a top game fish with a rather large industry built around the fish. They are many lodges that focus on Smallmouth Bass trips, there are TV shows that cover Smallmouth Bass tournaments and pf course there is the tackle. Smallmouth bass fishing provides hundreds of millions of dollars to the North American economy.
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Smallmouth Bass are energetic and aggressive fish, preferring fast moving water, but still at home in large clear lakes. Many anglers consider Smallmouth Bass fishing to be well worth the effort and a top fighter.
However, when the waters cool down, they do become lethargic and slow to feed, though this is common to all fresh water species. The best way to encourage them to eat in cool waters is through spoons and spinners, appealing to their sense of territory. Try casting within a few feet of them, reeling the bait within six inches of here they are hovering.
Landing the Smallmouth Bass takes some skill. Hooking a Smallmouth Bass does not guarantee that you will land the fish in the boat as they quite often succeed in shaking the lure from its mouth by jumping and twisting into the air. When caught in the depths, they burrows into the weed bed for cover, which makes the angler work to land the fish.
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