largemouth bass fish.

The Largemouth bass is a species of freshwater black bass that belongs to the Centrarchidae family. This particular fish species historically comes from several regions, ranging from Eastern North America to Northern Mexico.

Because of its ability to adapt to different habitats, the largemouth bass has been introduced to several other places. These include New Zealand, the Philippines, and even South Africa. Its unique olive green exterior characterizes this species of fish.

In some instances, the fish’s skin may also be overlaid with black blotches. Explore several interesting facts about the largemouth bass, including the largest individual ever caught.

World Record Largemouth Bass.

The largemouth bass is easily one of the most popular fish amongst anglers worldwide. However, despite all the professional anglers actively searching for them, world record catches remain rare. In fact, to unearth the last one, you will have to journey back to the 2nd of June 1932.

world record largemouth bass
World record largemouth bass.

On this date, George Perry is said to have trapped a largemouth bass that measured in at 22 pounds and4 ounces. Interestingly enough, George was not a sports angler by any stretch of the word. He and his friend just happened to be fishing along Lake Montgomery in Southern Georgia when they happened upon the massive fish.

The two took a detour to the post office in order to officially weigh the largemouth bass before George took it back home. Remarkably, it was enough to sustain his family of six for two dinners. When Field & Stream began a fish contest, Perry entered his numbers and won by a landslide. He would retain his trophy the very next year, albeit with a significantly smaller catch.

It took almost 80 years before George Perry’s world record was matched. Manabu Kurita wrote his name in history alongside Perry reeling in a largemouth bass that measured in at 22 pounds and 5 ounces.

Though this was slightly larger than Perry’s catch, regulations demand that the new record must extend by more than two ounces. As such, the two fishermen remain joint record holders.

Baby Largemouth Bass Facts.

baby largemouth bass
Baby Largemouth Bass. (Image source:
  • Newly hatched largemouth bass fish are known as ‘fry.’
  • At the time they hatch, largemouth bass fish measure in at 3mm in length.
  • New hatchlings typically rely on zooplankton for sustenance. As they grow older, however, they will graduate to consuming insects and other small fish.
  • Experts say that the largemouth bass prefers to reproduce 1 to 6 feet deep in the water. The male fish will kick things off by building a nest before attracting female bass to the nest. They then deposit their eggs in the nest and wait for the male to fertilize them. The latter will then guard the eggs until they hatch, a process that is believed to take around 3 to 7 days.
  • Largemouth bass fish will typically reproduce twice every spring. In some rare instances, they can spawn three to four times.
  • While it’s young, the largemouth bass is considered prey by other larger fish.

Can you eat the Largemouth bass?

The short answer is yes, the largemouth bass is an edible fish. It boasts a tender texture that will bring an interesting flavor to any table it graces. Those who favor its meat can prepare it in a number of ways, ranging from grilling to frying.

Cooked bass
Cooked bass. (Image source:

One thing you should take into account, however, is that you’ll be ill-advised to cook it indoors. It also has an overly fishy flavor that will not go down well with most people’s pallets. Furthermore, pregnant women and children are advised against its consumption due to significant mercury levels within it.

Largemouth Bass Nutrition facts (100 grams)
Calories- 145
Cholesterol- 87 mg
Potassium- 456 mg
Sodium- 90 mg
Protein- 24.2 g

What do Largemouth bass fish eat?

The largemouth bass fish is primarily carnivorous and takes its place at the very top of the food chain. It favors other smaller fish like the shad, minnows, bluegills, and even sunfishes. Interestingly, their diet heavily relies on their present habitat.

These fish species are very aggressive and can even target amphibians such as frogs, snakes, and small rodents. The largemouth bass fish has a large jointed mouth, which gives it remarkable suction capabilities.

Largemouth bass fish's mouth.
(Image source:

These fish also have an interesting hunting technique; they’ll lay in wait, typically below their prey, before using their powerful mouths to suck smaller fish into their stomachs.

Research has also shown that these fish prefer to spend a significant portion of their lives following other fish schools such as the chad. Remarkably, the Largemouth bass can also consume prey that measures 25 to 35% of their body length.

Largemouth bass Lifespan.

Experts say that the largemouth bass can live up to 16 years, depending on their habitat conditions. Some sources argue that they typically have a lifespan of 10 years in the wild. Again, the factors that they have to contend with play a crucial role in determining how long they’ll thrive in the wild.

Facts about the Largemouth bass:

Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass fish. (Image source:
  • Their scientific name is ‘Micropterus salmoides.’
  • Experts say that depending on the water they inhabit, this species of fish can vary in color. Because of the dark nutrient water available in Florida, for example, the Largemouth bass fish that inhabit the area are much darker compared to their New York counterparts.
  • Researchers have also uncovered that the Largemouth bass can distinguish between varieties of color. They go on to add that these fish particularly favor the color red.
  • The largemouth fish is one of the most popular species of fish in America. It is estimated that about 30 million fishermen and anglers alike target this species.
  • The average largemouth bass can measure in at about 18 inches in length.
  • Studies have shown that the largemouth bass reaches sexual maturity when it’s about a year old.
  • Most sports anglers are encouraged to catch and release this fish species to keep its population safe.

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