Which do you think a bass prefers?

[Jigfishn10]

I wouldn't be surprised if this poll is split down the middle.

When this came up several years ago, one of the two choices dominated.

Really? I'm very surprised.

This topic was a good idea. 

[cart7t]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

I remember a similar study done by the Mo. conservation dept. fisheries division.  The results were similar.  Apparently the craws fulfill more of the dietary demands of a bass thus they get more nutritional bang for the buck when the eat them.

[Nitrofreak]

I have caught more bass with a craw bait than with any other bait so my vote goes to the craw.

I may be wrong but it seems like every fishing show I ever watch when craws are mentioned by the pros it always seems they say that it is the number one food choice of bass.

[fishfordollars]

I voted shad. Who knows though.

[Gangley]

I don't think they prefer one over the other for taste/nutrition etc... The prefer which ever one is abundant and easiest to catch and eat in the bass's location at that time.

 

EXACTLY...what ever is most abundant, is generally easier to catch.  Every location is different, and right now, shad are most likely easier to catch because they are schooling.  The rest of the year, crawfish.  So, I voted craws as the most common source of bass food year round.

[Gangley]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

Do you have a link to that study, I would like to take a look at it.  I don't doubt you one bit, I agree that craws are the preferred bait, but all supporting information is nice to have and that would be a great technical paper to read if available.

[J Francho]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

I remember a similar study done by the Mo. conservation dept. fisheries division. The results were similar. Apparently the craws fulfill more of the dietary demands of a bass thus they get more nutritional bang for the buck when the eat them.

I swear I've read in In-Fisherman that herring type fish offer more nutrition than crayfish.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I remember something about oily, soft ray fish having the highest nutritional value.  Hence the big trout fed CA bass.

That bass prefer crayfish seems to be a consensus, and I actually voted wrong.  I really need to read better, LOL.

[WVcrank]

I just happened to come across this: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/youth/news/story?page=b_youth_BassEat_JrBMM_0106

Dont no how credible this information is tho.

[Dam Yankee]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

Do you have a link to that study, I would like to take a look at it. I don't doubt you one bit, I agree that craws are the preferred bait, but all supporting information is nice to have and that would be a great technical paper to read if available.

I don't have a link to the study however I remember reading it here on this site in one of the articles. I have been reading here for quite some time before I decided to join.

Here it is: http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/understanding_bass_fishing.html

I have found this site to be the most informative one and that is why I joined.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I choose shad/baitfish. My experience has been that most of my fish have come on those type lures and I have heard numerous times that the blue back herring(bait fish in my waters) are like filet mignon to bass.

[senile1]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

I remember a similar study done by the Mo. conservation dept. fisheries division. The results were similar. Apparently the craws fulfill more of the dietary demands of a bass thus they get more nutritional bang for the buck when the eat them.

I have heard and read the same thing.  However, and I believe this came from the same source, they tend to eat more shad and baitfish simply because of availability.  So I chose crawfish as a preference but if the question were, "Which meal does a bass eat the most?," I would have chosen shad/baitfish. 

[5bass]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

I remember a similar study done by the Mo. conservation dept. fisheries division. The results were similar. Apparently the craws fulfill more of the dietary demands of a bass thus they get more nutritional bang for the buck when the eat them.

I have heard and read the same thing. However, and I believe this came from the same source, they tend to eat more shad and baitfish simply because of availability. So I chose crawfish as a preference but if the question were, "Which meal does a bass eat the most?," I would have chosen shad/baitfish.

[rat-l-trapper]

I voted baitfish. The waters I fish don't have shad, but the bass are often keyed in on perch/bluegill/ trout it seems. Where I fish there are a ton of crawfish, and I often do well on craw baits, but usually baitfish imitators do best. In the early spring and late fall I usually always catch them on craw baits, and they often spit up craws, so it seems to me like it varies by season. Right now, from what I can tell they're eating a lot of perch and bluegill. Also, my best lures are ones that run higher in the water column and imitate these.

[farmpond1]

To me, the question is a bit oversimplified.  I tend to view it from what it means to the angler.  Bass may, theoretically have a preference of one food type over the other but to me, anyway, it's the location and temperment of the bass that makes me determine what kind of bait I'll be using.  For example, when bass are holding really tight to submerged trees, I'm more likely to drop in a crawdad type bait (creature bait or jig) into their lap-even if the bass may "prefer" shad.  But at other times, when the bass may be more difficult to locate and/or they are only reaction feeding, they may prefer a crawdad but I can find and catch them easier with a fast moving shad bait.  It just depends.

[Dave P]

Shad/Baitfish strictly because of the availability factor. I'm sure they'd eat a craw over a fish because of the ease of capture, but they are often not that prevalent...

[Catt]

The number one food choice of a bass is a crawfish

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/understanding_bass_fishing.html

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I voted for crawfish due to the baits and presentations I have the most success with. However, I believe baitfish make up a larger % of thier overall diet.

[TrippyJai]

I voted for crawfish as well. I've been told that crawfish have a lot of nutritional value and bass love them. I believe it because a craw is much easier to catch than a shad or baitfish.

[piscicidal]

I voted crawfish.

From a biological standpoint it seems that a bass would "prefer" whatever food source offered maximum energy intake per energy expended. It seems like it would take a lot less energy to suck up a crawfish then it would to chase around a shad. So I think, given equal opportunity, the bass would "prefer" to eat crawfish.

[Terry_]

Ok, I've done the research. Over 1 million recipes on line for crawfish, zero for threadfin shad. The answer is obvious!

Seriously though, I have to agree with farmpond 1, location and temperament seem to be the deciding factors on the waters I fish.

[deaknh03]

I think bass prefer baitfish, by far.

[CWB]

A bass can follow a school of shad or baitfish and feed at will. I do not ever recall seeing a school of craws.

If a bass sees a craw crawling around, I'm sure it will make an attempt to ****** it up but I think they will key on the baitfish far more often.

[CWB]

A study was performed several years ago where one hundred crawfish and one hundred shad were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Smallmouth, Spotted, and Largemouth). To much surprise, the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad.

Keep in mind, a study in a tank would put the odds in the craws favor. Nowhere to hide and 100 of them to choose from. They do scoot around but can be cornered pretty easily and then are doomed. The shad are fairly quick so maybe that test came down to which was easier pickins for the bass. In the real world, craws are pretty sneaky and tend to hide during the day especially down their holes. Baitfish hide too but are more accessible to the bass IMO.

[Tin]

Trout and Perch up here

Both are just protein bars, one is soft and the other is crunchy.

[slonezp]

Budweiser