Fly Fishing for Bass... Part 2 "How you doing Mr. Bass!"

"How you doing Mr. Bass!"

Mr. Bass is doing just fine.  He's actually doing great!  Part 2 of Fly Fishing for Bass will give us a chance to find out why and how he's doing so fine.

Bass are very unique and highly adaptable fish.  The largemouth bass is the most adaptable... this dude is everywhere!  Pits, ponds, rivers, lakes, swamps, impoundments, and more.  Like that stupid theme song from some famous fisherman's show "Anywhere there's water... Lord knows he'll be there."  Can you name that tune?  Well that's the LM, home in all waters, clear, muddy, stained, warm, hot, and cold.  The smallmouth is a bit more particular though.  He or she prefers clearer, cooler, waters.  The SM love deeper water and faster moving rivers where their speed and endurance can shine.  If bass drank soda pop, the SM would be the guy hopped up on a couple Red Bulls bouncing off the walls.  While LM probably would prefer a cold cola and sitting in the shade.  Both are very adaptable and in simple terms would be considered "Generalists." Very flexible in their surroundings, can handle most environmental changes, and when it's dinner time they're not real picky about what they eat.  In most cases... if it looks edible, it's good to go.  Basically, both are street smart thugs,outlaws... banditos!

Both LM and SM are hunters.  Their approach to locating and attacking prey are very similar most of the time.  LM are more of an ambush predator.  He would prefer to pick a real nice location along some weedline, dropoff, log, etc. and like some punk... hit you when your not ready.  His body is built for this type of hunting, shorter, compact body profile, and large powerful fins for quick bursts of speed and maneuvering in tight areas.  Not to mention some of the best camo available for dark and weedy alleyways.  SM are similiar, they to will ambush prey.  But, SM are far more adaptable for seek and destroy missions in faster water and rocky reefs.  Their body structure is built for longer pursuits and greater speed.  SM are more likely to be found cruising open water, or sandy and rocky gravel flats actively searching for prey (note: SM body camo is perfect for these conditions).  I see SM a lot of times hunting in groups, not so solitary like LM.  Both species are very stealthy and cunning.  For example, I've seen them just hanging out on the corner dock amongst many of their prey species baitfish, bluegills, etc..  Just kinda mingling... maybe even socializing a bit with them.  Making the prey feel right at home, giving off no signs of aggression or ill intentions.  Then suddenly, (Head's up! Kid Rock Lyric) "I'll put my arm around your neck like we're cool... then I'll break it.!"  That's bass... very sneaky.

How can we get to know Mr. Bass without mentioning his mouth... ohhh that mouth!  The one that gave them their names.  Both are large!  LM more so than SM. for good reason.  Like stated before LM are more of a generalist than SM.  LM can eat a wider range of food and sizes.  The larger under-slung mouth allows them to engulf their prey, they have very small teeth so a large bucket mouth is a must.  The design allows them to feed on the bottom, mid-depth, and as we know it is great for surface feeding!  Their list of food choices is like a buffet bar, fish, insects, crustaceans, turtles, frogs, birds, and who knows what all else.  If they can get that mouth around it... well?, it's gone!  SM as stated before are not quite as flexible.  Their mouth is smaller and a bit narrower like tweezers.  This allows them to catch their favorite meal much easier... the ones that hide down amongst rocks and gravel... crayfish!  And here in the Great Lakes...Gobies too!  SM, like LM are able to feed at all levels of the water too.  Crawfish down low, insects on top, and baitfish in the middle, .. too slow! 

Bass have excellent senses as well, sight, sound, smell, taste, and feel.  But! there is one that makes them special.   "The Sixth Sense."  The lateral line is that sixth sense device.  The line along each side of the bass' body is loaded with sensory cells that pick up vibrations in the water.  When bass are in darker and muddy water their vision is limited.  The lateral line helps them sense or feel prey in the water around them.  Bass would prefer to hunt on sight alone and in clear water they can.  But, when sight diminishes the lateral line becomes more important.  Can you see the lateral line below?

This is just a quick overview of some of the very basic survival skills that LM and SM have developed over thousands of years of trying to stay alive.  Hopefully we've learned few things here that make them so adaptable.

See the rest of Fly Fishing for BASS SERIES parts 1-6

Also check out Freshwater Fish Biology 101. Smallmouth   and  Freshwater Fish Biology 101. Largemouth

If want to see some great fly patterns for hooking into a monster. Check out Dave Lindsay's new site, Tying Predator Flies! and for some killer Murdich Minnows go to Great Lakes Fly !

"Okay... here comes another Outlaw! CDB baby! Old school."  Parts of this song kinda remind me of a big ol' fat largemouth.