Bass fish have the ability to change their color due to evolution . They use the color of their environment to either hide from other predators or to catch prey by surprise. These fish can detect colors such as red, green, blue, black, white, or chartreuse.
Why are some largemouth bass darker?
Due to this shift in pigment, largemouth bass can camouflage themselves when ambushing prey or when being pursued by a predator. If they are in clear water with plenty of weeds or cover , they usually have darker or clearer markings.
Why are some smallmouth bass darker than others?
If the fish is disturbed on the nest , or caught by an angler and placed in the livewell, the change in the “mood” of the fish probably contributes to the colour change and it turns lighter.
Are all smallmouth bass brown?
Smallmouth are often known as “Brown Bass ,” while Largemouth are nicknamed “Green Bass.” In reality, though, both fish can vary in color depending on their age, location, and a bunch of other factors.
What are the best colors for smallmouth bass?
In clear water, natural colors like: brown, green pumpkin, watermelon are the best options. When the water is stained or murky bold colors like chartreuse, white, black and blue tend to be the best.
What does a healthy bass look like?
A healthy young bass will be plump and have a “rounded body-shape .” A stunted fish, on the other hand, will be skinny with a head and eyes that look too big for its body. “If you can poke them in the belly and hit their backbone they are skinny,” Masser said.
What colors are bass attracted to?
The cellular composition of the largemouth bass’ eye is tuned to respond to two colors: red and green . Bass can see these colors well and make decisions with high selectivity based on these colors.
What color is a smallmouth bass?
The coloration of the smallmouth bass’ ctenoid scales range from golden-olive to dark brown dorsally which fades to a yellowish white ventrally with dark brown vertical bars or blotches along the body and dark brown horizontal bars on the head.
Why do bass turn black?
Melanosis occurs when, for whatever reason, a skin cell cannot regulate pigment production like it should. Melanin production in these cells is greatly increased resulting in hyperpigmentation and a black spot. The inverse is also possible where cells do not produce melanin resulting in hypopigmentation.”
Do smallmouths change color?
The images associated with this post show an interesting aspect of the biology of Smallmouth Bass... the ability to rapidly change their colour as a “signal” to indicate their mood, or current behavioural state.
What tastes better largemouth or smallmouth bass?
The flavor of Largemouth Bass is described as mild, watery, not as clean as Smallmouth Bass, and can tend to taste a little fishy. ... Smallmouth Bass have a more likable flavor to Largemouth Bass as more people prefer the sweeter, cleaner taste of Smallmouth .
How old is a 20 inch smallmouth bass?
First, river smallmouth bass grow very slowly. On average, it takes at least five years to attain 12 inches and 16 years to reach 20 inches. Fish length really slows after nine years, and after that they begin to put on more weight.
What eats a smallmouth bass?
Predators. Predators include other fish, turtles and birds like ospreys and kingfishers .
What bait is best for smallmouth bass?
- Blade Baits. Fishing blade baits for smallmouth is an excellent cold water technique, but can also be very effective during the warmer months too. ...
- Small Soft Plastics. ...
- Jigs. ...
- Jerkbaits. ...
- Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits. ...
- Topwater Lures.
What is the best bait for bass in clear water?
Clear: In clear water, it’s more important to imitate the actual forage species that fish are feeding on. Try crankbaits in natural colors like shad, bluegill, perch, or crawfish. Round billed, silent, and narrow profiled baits are also most effective. Bait Choices: Rapala Shad Rap , Bandit 300 Series, Castaic BD-12.
What is the best color worm for bass fishing?
The best colors for worms are natural colors: green pumpkin, watermelon, junebug, black and blue . With these colors you will be able to catch bass year round in any body of water that holds bass.
