FISH SPECIES BIO: Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

By Peter J. Park

Photo from http://www.marinecreations.com/

The Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) is the largest member of the Family Centrarchidae (The Sunfishes) which includes the Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), Pumpkinseed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). This fish is not a true bass, in the biological sense.  Rather, its closest evolutionary relatives are sunfish, making it a large sunfish.  It has been called a “bass” because its physical and behavioral attributes appear similar to those of a true bass like the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) or black sea bass (Centropristis striata). 

Largemouth bass live in almost any slow-moving or still body of freshwater (e.g., ponds, lakes, rivers, streams) in the continental US.  The optimal habitat for largemouth bass is shallow water with lots of structure and vegetation.

The largemouth bass is predominantly a sit-and-wait ambush predator that frequents structure such as weeds, fallen trees, or rocks. This fish will consume almost any organism that will fit into its large mouth.  It feeds on a variety of vertebrates (e.g., fishes, amphibians, rodents, birds) and invertebrates (e.g., insects, worms, crayfish). 

Spawning occurs in the spring during which sexually mature fish stop feeding.  Males construct gravel nests in shallow water by fanning away mud and debris.  Largemouth bass are monogamous. After mating, the female leaves and the male guards the eggs.  The male aggressively guards his nest through hatching. After the fry reach a certain size, the male abandons the nest and resumes feeding. Outside of the breeding season, larger fish tend to be solitary.

The largemouth bass is extremely popular in the US, and after being introduced to Asia, it is becoming increasingly popular there. From fishing tournaments to fishing tackle, the pursuit of this fish has entranced fishermen. With more than about 60 million largemouth bass fishermen (recreational and professional combined) in the US today, this inedible fish has achieved the status of most prized and popular among all gamefish.

The US and Japan Record Largemouth Basses:

On June 2, 1932, George W. Perry caught a 22lb 4oz largemouth bass in Montgomery Lake, Georgia.  Witnesses say that the belly was “…as big as an inflated basketball.”  It has been over seven decades, and the record has yet to be broken in the US.

George Perry's world-record largemouth bass

The story behind the catch and eventual fate of this fish are even more telling.  Like any other Depression-era angler of the time, there was little concern for bragging rights when the 19-year old Perry caught the fish: “I had no idea how big the fish was, but that didn't matter…What had me worried was losing the lure. It was the only one we had between us.”  As a poor farmer, Perry discusses the catch as follows: “I knew I had a big fish – and I knew we needed some meat at the house.”  And with that, the fish was eaten with his family.  Ironically, the largemouth bass is considered unedible today because of its poor taste. Several decades ago, the concept of catch-and-release angling was popularized in a B.A.S.S. tournament, and now, this practice has become the norm for innumerable gamefish targeted by freshwater and saltwater fishermen worldwide.  (Quotes from Robbie Pavey in an article published in National Fishing Lure Magazine 2006).

While George Perry’s record remains intact in the US, its position as the world record is shared with another angler. Manabu Kurita caught a 22lb 5 oz largemouth bass in Lake Biwa, Japan. Although this fish is larger than Perry’s, the two fish are officially considered a tie because of the standard error associated with weighing fish. Early reports say that the fish was caught with live bait. Kurita also caught an 18 lb 6 oz largemouth bass from Biwa Lake on a large swimbait. (Full story: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=b_BigBass_record_Japan_20090702)

Economic Value and Historical Impact:

- Not surprisingly, Perry’s catch became a milestone for the state of Georgia.  In 1984, a historical marker was posted on the side of Georgia Highway 117 in Telfair County, the county in which his fish was caught.  It reads: 

Photo Credit: Rob Pavey

"Approximately two miles from this spot, on June 2, 1932 , George W. Perry, a 19-year old farm boy, caught what was to become America 's most famous fish. The twenty-two pound four ounce largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exceeded the existing record by more than two pounds has retained the world record for more than fifty years. Perry and his friend, J.E. Page, were fishing in Montgomery Lake, a slough off the Ocmulgee River , not for trophies but to bring food to the table during those days of the great depression. The fish was caught on a Creek Chub Perch Scale Wigglefish, Perry's only lure, and was 32 1/2 inches in length and 28 1/2 inches in girth. The weight and measurements were taken, recorded and notarized in Helena, Georgia and Perry's only reward was seventy-five dollars in merchandise as first prize in Field and Stream Magazine's fishing contest. The longstanding record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was made Georgia's Official State Fish. Montgomery Lake is today part of the Department of Natural Resources' Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area."

134-4 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1984

- From largemouth bass T-shirts to fishing lures, this fish has rocked the fishing world.  Bass fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry that has inspired the creation of customized lures, rods, reels, and even boats tailored specifically for this single species.

- The rise in popularity of fishing in general is probably the result of largemouth bass fishing alone.  Within the last decade, a media explosion has occurred.  Whether it is bass fishing video games, ESPN B.A.S.S. Fantasy Fishing forums, or the $500,000 grand prize on fishing’s grand stage the Bassmaster’s Classic, all have contributed to the ever increasing audience intrigued by the sport.

- Many have claimed that Perry’s record could never be broken in the US.  However, a 25lb 1 oz largemouth bass (unofficial weight) was caught in Dixon Lake, California by Mac Weakley on March 20, 2006.  The fish was named “Dottie” by local anglers. Unfortunately, the fish was foul-hooked and therefore was disqualified by the IGFA.  Not long after, Weakley, an advocate of catch-and-release, released the potential new world-record largemouth bass back into the lake from which it was caught.  

(Photo Credit: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing)

Sadly, Dottie died on May 9, 2008 after spawning, and with her went the dream of breaking the world record, for now at least.

Replica of Dottie. Rest in peace Dottie.

- The widespread practice of catch-and-release in all of fishing owes its popularity to the largemouth bass fishing.  It was once thought that catching any fish on fishing tackle imparts so much stress that it could not survive. Several decades ago, catch-and-release was made a requirement in all BASS fishing tournaments.  The success of several decades of catch-and-release in bass fishing tournaments convincingly proves that release works.

Sources and further reading:

Rob Pavey’s (lure collector) website: http://www.mrlurebox.com/GeorgePerryBass.htm

ESPN Bassmaster Tournament Index: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/index