Why BASS?

[Cravin]

I was looking at all of these endless rolling threads being posted on everything to do with Bass fishing and wondered what it was about this fish that has us all Bass crazy?

Why not a different breed of fish?  

Why when I fishing for other game fish it's not as exciting and I'm wondering if a bass will bite?

I feel that it's a Super Predator, There isn't much out there that it wont try to eat from snakes to its own kind, and how cold and aggressive it can be but yet so colorful and beautiful.

My question for you is why bass? and how do you view this great fish?

[jomatty]

for me its a few things.  first there is its accecability.  i can fish for bass almost anywhere in my home state.  secondly it is exciting to me.  i like the variety of lures and the skills involved and also the chance of getting hold of a really big one.  i mean i could take up fly fishing for trout and im sure i would enjoy it but for me i wouldnt enjoy the possibility of a 14 inch trout the same as the chance for a 7 lb bass.

if i lived somewhwere where i could fish for redfish, snook, bonefish, or tarpon i might find myself enjoying that as much as i do bass fishing.  for where i live now, there is nothing else that holds the same excitement for me.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Because SARDINE RESOURCE.COM sounds too funny

[Sam]

Two reasons.

First, bass are all around us.

Second, they are smarter than us.

That seems to sum it up!

[FatBoy]

I think there's a few reasons for why bass are so popular.  They're at the top of the food chain.  They get plenty big and fight good.  And most importantly they're found everywhere, north, south, east and west.  Muskie, pike and walleye are mostly a northern thing.  Trout are mostly big out west.  Redfish...well let's just say we don't have a lot of those in Illinois...

[senile1]

I think there's a few reasons for why bass are so popular.  They're at the top of the food chain.  They get plenty big and fight good.  And most importantly they're found everywhere, north, south, east and west.  Muskie, pike and walleye are mostly a northern thing.  Trout are mostly big out west.  Redfish...well let's just say we don't have a lot of those in Illinois...

I think the fact that they're everywhere is a good point.  Also, they just have the look of a vicious, predatory fish.  Other fish have the predatory look, but they aren't as widespread.  

[Cephkiller]

top of the food chain.

A member of Keith Alan's legal team will be contacting you shortly. As we all know, Keith cannot complete a sentence without using this phrase and as such, he has trademarked the referenced words for his exclusive use.  Please cease and desist immdediately or appropriate legal action will be forthcoming.  Thank you.

;D

[Brian_Reeves]

Because I'm too far away from the Gulf to fish for redfish...

[RoLo]

1. It begins with the fact that bass are gamefish found in every state in continental United States and Hawaii (save Alaska).

With continued stocking efforts throughout the world, bass appear destined be become cosmopolitan

2. Black bass eagerly strike artificial lures, an asset that's second only to their widespread distribution.

3. Bass are strong-fighters, and they're disposed to jumping (I've never found a reliable way to stop a bass bent on jumping).

4. All members of the sunfish family have no teeth, which facilitates hand-landing.

5. Bass hold up well in a livewell, a decided asset in tournament fishing.

6. To boot, bass are very handsome fish and grow to large sizes

7. Finally, Catfish Resource.Com just doesn't trip off the tongue ;D

Roger

[Fish Chris]

Hmmmm....

I certainly love bass fishing, but pretty much every other species is a close second. I caught a 19.2 lb Carp the day before yesterday (while fishing specifically for them) and it was awesome ! Then at the end of that trip, back at the ramp, I gave it a shot for Crappie (wanted a few for dinner) but ended up only catching one "lowly" Spotted bass.... and had KFC for dinner instead :-)

Yesterday, I was thinking about catfishing again..... {or more specifically, the lake record at one of my trophy bass ponds :-)}

And geez, I sure hope the Halibut come into Bodega Bay this Summer ! ....but if not, we still have the Leopard Sharks and the Bat Rays :-)

So anyway, IMPO, Bass are great ! But not so much greater than anything else that will bite my hook and rip drag ! ;-)

Peace,

Fish

[Guest avid]

I think the main attraction is that bass are very willing to hit artificial bait.

I have tremendous respect for a good live bait fisherman.

Take this from one who is fishing live bait more and more, that it is not easy.  

It is a skill that has to be learned and perfected like anything else.

As a matter of fact, there are times recently when I stop bait fishing and go back to artificials because it's easier and I catch more fish.

But I gotta tell ya.  When I lived up North, trout fishing is great.  Your tackle box, fits in your pocket, and I love going right into the stream.  No boat hassles.  So that is great too.

Then the snook, trout, and redfish and the inshore salt species.  Man a popping cork w/shirmp plus a zara spook, mirrorlure, and gold spoon.  ooooooooooohhhhweeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.  few things get my heart pumping like seeng and casting to a tailing redfish.

But nothing hits such a wide assortment of artificials as a bass. And that plus the availability (they are in every state) makes them the king.

[Cravin]

Yeah I can see everyones point, they are just about everywhere. As far as the other game fish I really enjoyed catching those fat carp, it was like reeling in a fast moving tank. I would like to fish reds sometime and would love to get hooked up with a huge Alligator gar. everything else around  here feels second rate to me.

[msmonroe]

I agree with the points made about bass being widely available. However, among all of the fish that are also widely available, why is Mr. Bucketmouth so sought after.

In my opinion, it is because of the versatility of the fish. Young bass tend to be less cautious and can be caught on a wide variety of ways. I caught my first largemouth floating live crickets under a bobber while fishing for brim. It was exciting to say the least. Older bass are smarter and more cautious. It takes some planning and skill to catch these guys.

And then there is the grand prize. That 10+ pounder. It's what keeps us going, trying new lures, trying new approaches. I submit to you that catching just one os these bass scores higher on the thrill meter than catching your limit of crappie.

For me, it is the pursuit of my next tropy largemouth that keeps me passionate about that fish. If there were no bass in the lake, I'd still be out fishing. But if I knew that there were bass in the lake, that's what I'd be fishing for.

- Matt

[bassmaster8100]

The Challenge.....not just anybody can catch bass. I love the challenge the different tecniques for different situations and have to be able to locate them as well. Until the last few years I fished for fish not necessarily any specific species but at some point I wanted more of a challenge and realized how much more of a challege bass were to catch. Anybody can catch catfish, bream, crappie and so on. Those species have always been easy to catch for me, too easy. Its all about the challenge, learning new techniques and learning new water for me.

[eastkybass]

For me it is the variety.  The variety of the fish, they all act a little different, the variety of the there habitat, you can find them just about anywhere, and the variety of techniques, lures, and other equipment there is out there for them.

[hi_steel_basser]

For me, the bass is the most fun and the king of fishing for one simple reason. They are picky. I know there are other fish that fight harder, taste better, get bigger, etc. But the key toa successful day bass fishing is understanding what the fish are doing, where they are at, and which lure best fits the situation. Then you figure out how they are biting, what the best color and size lure is, and finally reach a point that you KNOW, there is a 3-lber right there, I'm gonna get her to bite right... NOW! FIGHT ON!!! I live for that experience. It doesn't happen nearly enough.

[fourbizz]

Process of Elimanation.

Saltwater...sharks, huge waves, pirates, aliens... no thanks

Catfish... stink bait stinks.

Bluegill...spiny little punks, with mouths so small you can't get the hook out.

Crappie... but you gotta clean 'em!

Walleye... I like my water in a liquid form thanks.

Perch...yawn...

Trout... I think you have to wear a stupid hat or vest to fish for trout.

Bass... Topwater, killing anything that will fit, makin me lose sleep, great selection of expensive baits, the hot rod of fishing boats, and I'm surrounded by lakes that kick 15+'s...word.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

For me it's "The Chase" more than anything. The variety of ways you can fish for them is what excites me.

I was thinking about this very thing the other day. I was fishing lipless crankbait when all of sudden I hook into something that takes me (and my boat) for spin. I immediately had visions of this HUGE bass on the end of my line. After a couple minutes, I finally get to see it. I was extremely disappointed ..... it was an 8 lbs catfish. Then I got to thinking to myself after releasing it. That was the best fights I have had in awhile and yet I am still disappointed. I seriously had to laugh to myself. I realized that "the fight" might not be as important to me as I thought. If I wanted to experience fights like that regularly I could switch to cat fishing, but "The Chase" for them just ain't my style.

[RWHusker.]

Grew up in Montana with a fly rod in my hand and a grandfather that thought a spinning reel was for sissy's.  Came to college in Nebraska and had to fish for something, so I lowered myself to this thing called "Bass".  It was like free crack on the school yard.  Some 20 years later I spent 35K on a boat and only the lord knows how much at Cabela's.  And except for fishing with my favorite uncle I could care less if I ever put another fly rod in my hand again.  

GO BIG RED

[George Welcome]

What keeps you coming back:

Intrigue - This is a fish that lives by no rules and whose daily and even hourly secrets can and do change.

Excitement - Any cast can produce a fish that weighs next to nothing or one that is the queen of the lake.

Availability - Bass are found in almost any body of water.

Peace, solitude, comaraderie, and Mother Nature - As much a part of bass fishing as are the rods, reels, boats, and baits used to catch them.

[Guest avid]

so I lowered myself to this thing called "Bass"

So true,

a flyrodder dedicated to trout will jump for joy if he catches a 9 inch brown, but will complain about "trash" fish if he hooks a two pound bass.

go figure.

[Panamoka_Bassin]

I've spent my whole life fishing in many different ways, enjoying every minute. About 15 years back, my dad got into fresh water fishing and would come home with some pretty good stories. After he passed away, I inherited his tackle and didn't really put much thought into it. One day, as I was driving home from work, I passed a couple ponds and decided to try fresh water fishing, seeing as I had all this tackle that I'd never used. I got my license and headed out with my waders to one of these ponds. I didn't catch a bass, but I did catch a tiny trout, but the thing that got me most was the peace and tranquility. I was normally a salt water fisherman, with all the noise that goes with it. Now, I'm standing in the water, listening to nothing but birds and deer walking in the woods, and realizing what a great Zen-like moment I've discovered.

To me, nothing beats the quiet calm I get from bass fishing (that is, until I hook up). I still do all kinds of other fishing, but I'll always retreat to the quiet of the woods and ponds. I know I'm not doing a great job of explaning the feeling I get, but that's why I fish for LMB...

[LONGEARS]

Because Bass fishing is a thinking man's game.

[Bass Smacker]

 Trout = power bait or a worm :-/

 

 Catfish= chickin liver or clams    

gils = small little hooks and a bober  :'(

 Bass= big fast boat a 4X4 rod reels tons of baits ever changing but staying the same

pece and quiet or a big grup you decide.  I can walk up to a black bass fisherperson and bull s@#t for 20 minets without getting a name

tri that with a trout fisherman in a stream most likely you will get a glare

ask a bass fishemn what there hitting on or some advice and he/she will bend your ear off.

 Most other types of fisheman will look at you like your crazy. give you some half hearted advise and

talk crap abiout the noob messing up there pool ot spot.

 Plus just look at a big bass all green and black. Truly a all Amarican fish

just my.02  

[RoLo]

I didn't catch a bass, but I did catch a tiny trout, but the thing that got me most was the peace and tranquility. I was normally a salt water fisherman, with all the noise that goes with it. Now, I'm standing in the water, listening to nothing but birds and deer walking in the woods, and realizing what a great Zen-like moment I've discovered.

Boy...I can surely relate to that.

My wife and I often revisit the pros and cons between fresh and saltwater fishing.

In the quiet tameness of freshwater, we're more at one with nature and feel like part of the environment.

In the ocean we're somewhat diminished by the enormity, and may feel less in tune with our enviroment,

On many occasions we were little more than victims of circumstances (when love turns to respect).

In defense of saltwater, it too has the sights and sounds but they are different.

In place of Towhees and Phoebes, we're listening to Least Terns and Franklin Gulls, especially during a blitz.

In place of a babbling brook, we're watching towering 12-foot rollers and hoping the tops won't cascade down the front face.

As goes the old saw: "It's the same sea, but for every man a different horizon".

Roger