The study, Estimating recruitment of Largemouth Bass to exceptional weights using angler-reported catches, was authored by Leandro E. Miranda, Frank Griffin, Natalie Goldstrohm, J. Wesley Neal and Thomas J. Lang. Researchers examined what happened after largemouth bass reached 3.6 kg — about 7.9 pounds — and looked for environmental and genetic factors associated with more fish reaching even heavier weight classes.

First: what does “recruitment” mean here?

This is important because the percentages can easily be misunderstood. The researchers were not following individual 7.9-pound bass and calculating each fish’s personal probability of becoming a 13-pounder. Instead, they developed a population-level index using the distribution of angler-reported catches at progressively heavier weights.

So the 2.5% figure should not be read as “an 8-pound bass has a 2.5% chance of becoming 13 pounds.” A better way to say it is that, across the fisheries represented in the data, the estimated recruitment from the 3.6-kg class to the 5.9-kg class averaged 2.5%.

Why the drop from 8 pounds to 13 pounds matters

A bass that has already reached roughly 8 pounds has cleared a lot of hurdles. It has survived predation, disease, angling pressure, environmental stress and years of seasonal changes while finding enough food to continue growing. The study suggests that moving from “big” to “exceptional” is another much narrower bottleneck.

The researchers reported an average recruitment estimate of about 20% after bass reached the 3.6-kg lunker threshold, but that varied widely among fisheries. When the weight classes were expanded, the estimated progression to about 9.9 pounds averaged 23.5%, while progression all the way to about 13 pounds averaged only 2.5%.

Florida Bass genetics stood out

One of the clearest positive relationships in the study was genetics. Recruitment to exceptional weights increased as the frequency of Florida Bass alleles increased in a population.

That finding fits the long-running use of Florida Bass genetics in trophy-bass management, particularly in Texas. It does not mean that genetics alone create giant bass. The researchers’ conclusion was essentially the opposite: exceptional size appears to require a balance of genetics, environment and survival.

The surprising human-population finding

Perhaps the most interesting result for anglers was the relationship with people. The study found that recruitment to heavier weight classes was negatively correlated with human population density around the reservoir. In other words, fisheries surrounded by denser human populations tended to show lower recruitment of already-large bass into exceptional weight classes.

The study did not prove that any one human activity caused the difference. The researchers did not isolate fishing pressure, harvest, boat traffic, shoreline development or handling mortality and show that one of those variables was responsible.

However, the U.S. Geological Survey’s explanation of the work interprets the result as being consistent with lower mortality in reservoirs near smaller human populations. That makes intuitive sense: a remote fishery may expose a trophy bass to fewer total encounters and fewer human-related risks over the many years required to reach exceptional size.

What about chlorophyll-a?

The researchers also found a negative relationship between recruitment and chlorophyll-a concentration, which is commonly used as an indicator of algae abundance and the trophic — or productivity — state of a reservoir.

This does not mean that low-productivity lakes automatically grow the biggest bass. Bass still need adequate forage and productive habitat. The authors described the apparent requirement as a balance: enough productivity and food to support growth, but not an excessively high trophic state.

Several things were not strongly associated with exceptional recruitment

The USGS summary of the research notes that recruitment to lunker sizes was not strongly associated with several variables that anglers might expect to matter, including reservoir age, reservoir area or depth, stocking density, and length limits.

That does not mean those factors never matter for a bass fishery. It means they were not among the variables that showed a strong relationship with this particular measure of recruitment from already-large bass to exceptional weights.

Why angler data mattered

Truly large bass are difficult to study with traditional fisheries sampling because they are rare. USGS highlighted the scale of that problem in Texas: conventional electrofishing surveys can collect tens of thousands of bass while encountering only a tiny number of fish above 8 pounds. Angler-reported trophy catches create a much larger sample of the upper end of the size distribution.

That makes programs such as Texas’ ShareLunker database unusually valuable for questions specifically about giant bass. Angler data have their own biases, but they can reveal patterns that would be nearly impossible to study using standard sampling alone.

Our take: giant bass require three things to line up

The simplest way we would explain this study is that producing a truly exceptional largemouth appears to require three broad ingredients:

1. Growth potential. Florida Bass genetics were positively associated with exceptional recruitment.

2. The right environment. Reservoir productivity appears to need to land in a productive-but-not-excessive range.

3. Time and survival. A fish can have excellent genetics and abundant forage, but it still has to survive long enough to express that potential. The negative relationship with surrounding human population density may be one clue that survival becomes increasingly important at the upper end of the weight distribution.

That final point may be the most interesting of all. Growing an 8-pound bass is difficult. Turning that fish into a 13-pounder may require not only exceptional growth, but several additional years in which almost everything continues to go right.

Read the original research

The study was published October 7, 2025 in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Volume 45, Issue 6, pages 1001–1011.

USGS publication page: Estimating recruitment of Largemouth Bass to exceptional weights using angler-reported catches

USGS explanation: Texas Anglers Unite to Fill Knowledge Gaps on Black Bass

Journal article / DOI: 10.1093/najfmt/vqaf082

Bass Fishing Facts note: This article is an explanatory summary of the published research. Statements identified as our take or interpretation are intended to help anglers understand the findings and should not be confused with conclusions directly tested by the study.

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Bill Evans holding his record largemouth bass he caught on August 8, 2016 – breaking an almost 40 year Washington record.

Updated October 13, 2026 – Originally posted October 2016

We have all heard of Manabu Kurita’s world record-tying 22-pound, 4-ounce bass caught at Lake Biwa in Japan on July 2, 2009 (see IGFA record details). And we have heard legends of George Perry’s 22-pound, 4-ounce bass caught at Montgomery Lake in Georgia on June 2, 1932. But what if you live in a state where the average weight of a bass caught is between 1-2 pounds? How do you know if your personal best stacks up to the record held within your own state?

Below is a list of all the current record holding largemouth bass from all 50 states. Use this state-by-state list to compare the biggest officially recognized largemouth bass across the country. For catches beyond state records, see our world-record largemouth bass guide and the story of Dottie, the legendary 25-pound bass.
Related record lists: smallmouth bass records from all 50 states · Texas Top 50 largemouth bass · Texas Top 50 smallmouth bass.

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Related: For an example of unusually dark pigmentation across much of a fish, see our page on melanistic black largemouth bass.

That is a question that many anglers have asked themselves at least once or twice.

So what causes these dark blotches or spots on the skin of bass? Well, nobody really knows exactly but it’s called melanosis (melanin is a black pigment in the skin cells of fish) and the general consensus from longtime professional anglers and biologists is that it is from fish that have an increase in sun exposure and that often times it is a sign of a healthy bass in healthy waters. The spots could be caused by something that is genetic and the fish may be born with the splotches at birth. It could also be viral or related to environmental factors unique to that particular body of water.

Here are some ways people often try to describe these fish to others:

• Bass with oil spots
• Blotchy Bass
• Dalmatian largemouth bass
• Bass with black spots
• Camouflage bass

Is the bass infected?

No, the bass is not infected. When melanosis occurs it is just an increase in the melanin in the skin.

Can I get it?

No, the melanosis is not contractible from fish.

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Jordan Lee – 2017 Bassmaster Classic Champion – Sparks Flying After Win.

New to the event? Start with our guide to what the Bassmaster Classic is, then use the year-by-year table below to follow every champion.

Bassmaster Classic records and milestones

Most Classic championships: Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam are tied with four wins each. Bassmaster’s historical analysis documents their title runs.

Back-to-back champions: Rick Clunn (1976–77), Kevin VanDam (2010–11), Jordan Lee (2017–18), and Hank Cherry (2020–21). B.A.S.S. confirmed Cherry’s milestone in 2021.

Record winning weight: Easton Fothergill’s 76 pounds, 15 ounces in 2025 was the highest winning total in Classic history at the time, according to Bassmaster. 2026 milestone: Dylan Nutt became only the second champion to qualify through B.A.S.S. Nation, joining Bryan Kerchal (1994). Read the official account.

Next championship: The 2027 Bassmaster Classic is scheduled for Lake Hartwell in Greenville, South Carolina; the next champion will be added after the event.

Explore the champions: The table now includes verified angler profiles, selected photos already in the Bass Fishing Facts media library, and social pages where a reliable account could be identified. “—” means no account was confirmed for that entry. For more historical winner photos, see Bassmaster’s official winners photo archive. Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens.

Bassmaster Classic champions, winning weights, boats, tournament locations, angler profiles and social links, 1971 to 2026.

Year	Classic champion	Winning weight (lb–oz)	Boat brand	Tournament water	Photo / profile	Social media
1971	Bobby Murray	43-11	N/A	Lake Mead, NV	—	—
1972	Don Butler	38-11	N/A	Percy Priest Reservoir, TN	—	—
1973	Rayo Breckenridge	52-8	N/A	Clarks Hill Lake, SC	—	—
1974	Tommy Martin	33-7	N/A	Wheeler Lake, AL	—	—
1975	Jack Hains	45-4	N/A	Currituck Sound, NC	—	—
1976	Rick Clunn	59-15	Ranger	Lake Guntersville, AL	—Profile ↗	—
1977	Rick Clunn	27-7	Glastron	Kissimmee Chain, FL	—Profile ↗	—
1978	Bobby Murray	37-9	N/A	Ross Barnett Reservoir, MS	—	—
1979	Hank Parker	31	N/A	Lake Texoma, TX	—	—
1980	Bo Dowden	54-10	N/A	St. Lawrence River, NY	—	—
1981	Stanley Mitchell	35-2	Ranger	Alabama River, AL	—	—
1982	Paul Elias	32-8	Ranger	Alabama River, AL	—	—
1983	Larry Nixon	18-1	Ranger	Ohio River, OH	—	—
1984	Rick Clunn	75-9	N/A	Arkansas River, AR	—Profile ↗	—
1985	Jack Chancellor	45	Ranger	Arkansas River, AR	—	—
1986	Charlie Reed	23-9	Ranger	Tennessee River, TN	—	—
1987	George Cochran	15-5	Ranger	Ohio River, OH	—	—
1988	Guido Hibdon	28-8	Ranger	James River, VA	—	—
1989	Hank Parker	31-6	Ranger	James River, VA	—	—
1990	Rick Clunn	34-5	Tracker	James River, VA	—Profile ↗	—
1991	Ken Cook	33-2	Javelin	Chesapeake Bay, MD	—	—
1992	Robert Hamilton, Jr	59-6	Ranger	Lake Logan Martin, AL	—	—
1993	David Fritts	48-6	Ranger	Lake Logan Martin, AL	—	—
1994	Bryan Kerchal	36-7	Ranger	High Rock Lake, NC	—	—
1995	Mark Davis	47-14	Basscat	High Rock Lake, NC	—	—
1996	George Cochran	31-14	Ranger	Lay Lake, AL	—	—
1997	Dion Hibdon	34-13	Ranger	Lake Logan Martin, AL	—	—
1998	Denny Brauer	46-3	Ranger	High Rock Lake, NC	—	—
1999	Davy Hite	55-10	Stratos	Louisiana Delta, LA	—	—
2000	Woo Daves	27-13	Nitro	Lake Michigan, IL	—	—
2001	Kevin VanDam	32-5	Nitro	Louisiana Delta, LA	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2002	Jay Yelas	45-13	Skeeter	Lay Lake, AL	—	—
2003	Michael Iaconelli	37-14	Ranger	Louisiana Delta, LA	Profile ↗	IG @mikeiaconelli · Facebook
2004	Takahiro Omori	39-2	Ranger	Lake Wylie, NC	—	—
2005	Kevin VanDam	12-15	Nitro	Three Rivers, PA	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2006	Luke Clausen	56-2	Ranger	Kissimmee Chain, FL	—	—
2007	Boyd Duckett	48-10	Triton	Lay Lake, AL	—	—
2008	Alton Jones	48-7	Skeeter	Lake Hartwell, SC	—	—
2009	Skeet Reese	54-13	Champion	Red River, LA	—	—
2010	Kevin VanDam	51-6	Nitro	Lay Lake, AL	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2011	Kevin VanDam	69-11	Nitro	Louisiana Delta, LA	Profile ↗	IG @kevinvandamfishing · Facebook
2012	Chris Lane	51-6	Legend	Red River, LA	—	—
2013	Cliff Pace	54-12	Skeeter	Grand Lake, OK	—	—
2014	Randy Howell	67-8	Triton	Lake Guntersville, AL	—	—
2015	Casey Ashley	50-1	Triton	Lake Hartwell, SC	—	—
2016	Edwin Evers	60-7	Nitro	Grand Lake, OK	—	—
2017	Jordan Lee	56-10	Legend	Lake Conroe, TX	Profile ↗	IG @jleefishing
2018	Jordan Lee	47-1	Ranger	Lake Hartwell, SC	Profile ↗	IG @jleefishing
2019	Ott Defoe	49-3	Nitro	Tennessee River, TN	Profile ↗	—
2020	Hank Cherry	65-5	BassCat	Lake Guntersville, AL	—Profile ↗	IG @hankcherryfishing
2021	Hank Cherry	50-15	BassCat	Ray Roberts, TX	—Profile ↗	IG @hankcherryfishing
2022	Jason Christie	54-00	Xpress	Lake Hartwell, SC	—Profile ↗	IG @christiefishing
2023	Jeff Gustafson	42-7	Lund	Tennessee River, TN	—Profile ↗	IG @gussyoutdoors · Facebook
2024	Justin Hamner	58-3	Falcon	Grand Lake O the Cherokees, Tulsa, OK	—Profile ↗	IG @justinhamnerfishing
2025	Easton Fothergill	76-15	Skeeter	Lake Ray Roberts, Fort Worth, TX	—Profile ↗	IG @eastonfothergillfish
2026	Dylan Nutt	66-13	Caymas	Tennessee River, Knoxville, TN	—Profile ↗	IG @dylan.nutt

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The Bassmaster Classic, also known as the “Super Bowl of bass fishing,” is the premier professional bass fishing tournament in the United States. The tournament has been held annually since 1971; our Bassmaster Classic winners list. For individual event history, see our 2017 Classic recap, 2020 recap and 2021 recap tracks every champion by year, and is organized by B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), one of the oldest and most respected fishing organizations in the world.

Ott Defoe with his 10 pound bass at the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.

The first Bassmaster Classic was held in 1971 in Birmingham, Alabama, and was won by Rayo Breckenridge. The tournament was initially held in a single location and featured a one-day format, with anglers competing to catch the most fish in a single day.

In the early years of the Classic, the field of competitors was limited to the top anglers from the B.A.S.S. circuit, but over time the tournament has grown in popularity and now attracts the best anglers from around the world. In the 1980s, the tournament was expanded to a three-day format, and in the 1990s, the field of competitors was opened up to include anglers from other professional fishing circuits.

The Bassmaster Classic has been held in various locations across the United States, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes, and has featured some of the most iconic bass fishing waters in the country. The tournament is now held in different locations each year, which allows anglers to compete in a variety of different environments and test their skills in different types of fishing.

Over the years, many of the top names in bass fishing have competed in the Bassmaster Classic, including Rick Clunn, Kevin VanDam, and Michael Iaconelli. The tournament is known for its high level of competition and the skill and precision of the anglers who compete in it.

Today, the Bassmaster Classic is one of the most prestigious and highly-anticipated fishing tournaments in the world, drawing thousands of fans each year to watch the best anglers in the world compete for the title of Bassmaster Classic Champion. With its rich history and tradition of excellence, the Bassmaster Classic is a true showcase of the sport of bass fishing.

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Largemouth bass fishing is not only a fun and exciting hobby, but it also provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental health and well-being.

Professional Angler Drew Benton

First and foremost, fishing is a great form of exercise. It requires the use of various muscle groups, including those in the arms, shoulders, and back, as well as the core and legs. The act of casting a fishing line and reeling in a fish can burn up to 400 calories per hour, making it a great way to improve cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Additionally, fishing often involves spending time outdoors, which can improve overall health by providing fresh air and exposure to natural light and vitamin D.

Fishing is also a great way to relieve stress and improve mental health. The peaceful and serene environment of being out on the water, surrounded by nature, can have a calming and meditative effect on the mind. The repetitive motions of casting and reeling can also be soothing and therapeutic. The act of catching a fish, especially on a challenging and difficult cast, can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.

Fishing can also be a great way to spend time with friends and family. Whether it’s a father-son fishing trip or a group of friends getting together for a day on the water, fishing can be a bonding experience that creates memories that last a lifetime. It’s a great way to take a break from the fast pace of daily life, and just enjoy the company of loved ones.

Largemouth bass fishing in particular can be a great way to improve your physical and mental well-being. Largemouth bass are known for their aggressive and powerful fighting nature, making them a challenging and exciting fish to catch. The adrenaline rush of hooking and fighting a big bass can be invigorating and provide a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, largemouth bass are found in a variety of freshwater environments, from small ponds to large lakes and rivers, providing a wide range of fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.

Overall, largemouth bass fishing is a great way to improve both physical and mental health and well-being. It provides a fun and exciting hobby, a great form of exercise, and a way to relieve stress and spend time with loved ones. So, next time you’re looking for a way to improve your health and happiness, consider heading out to your local lake or river and trying your hand at largemouth bass fishing.

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Manabu Kurita’s World Record Bass from 2009

Updated February 23, 2020, originally posted March 7, 2017.

Early Spring of 2011 – the International Game and Fish Association (IGFA) created a “length” world record category to go along with the well established weight-based world record categories. You can also compare those fish in our Top 10 world-record largemouth bass list for many freshwater and saltwater fish species. Instead of having to weigh a fish on land, this new category requires anglers to return the fish to the water alive after measurement. The IGFA All-Tackle Length category encompasses 64 freshwater and 73 saltwater species.

Largemouth Bass Length World Record

Lance Jones with his 65cm record bass on Lake Jeffery Florida – photo via Facebook

While the largemouth bass weight record (22+ pounds) is likely out of reach for most of us – as of February 2020, when this article was updated, the world record bass in the length category is only 25.59 inches (65cm)!

We know that largemouth bass have been documented to be up to 30-32 inches in length, however, a fish of those lengths has not been caught and documented in the proper way as to receive the IGFA World Record certification. As it currently stands, George Coniglio from Mission Viejo, California, USA and Lance Jones from Lake Jeffery, Florida, USA currently hold a TIE for the All-Tackle Length Record for Largemouth Bass with a confirmed and documented catch from May 13, 2015 for George and a confirmed catch on April 24, 2018 for Lance that both measured exactly 65 cm in length. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) length to weight conversion charts – at bass that is 25-26 inches in length is typically between 9-12 pounds. Catching a double-digit weighing bass is certainly a once in a lifetime occurrence for many anglers – however, it is not all that uncommon in the fishing world.

Be Prepared

Illustration © TPWD

You can only be awarded the World Record if you follow all the proper measuring rules and documentation procedures. To begin with, you’ll need the official IGFA World Record Measuring Device ($49.95). You’ll need to make sure that your catch is at least 2cm longer than the existing record (or it will be considered a tie). Next, make sure to take a picture of 1.) the full length of the fish on the measure device. 2.) a close up showing the position of the fish’s nose and tail on the measuring device. 3.) the angler and the fish. 4.) the rod and reel used to make the catch. You’ll also want to make a note of the type and pound test of the fishing line you used.

Good To Know

The IGFA highly recommends that you have a witness present. If not, you may be disqualified if any questions about the catch arise. Also, a record claim from the U.S. must be submitted within 60 days of the date of catch, while fish caught in other waters must be submitted within 3 months.

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Largemouth Bass Underwater, photo cred: “IMG_1169” by jprime84

1. The first rule of fishing is you never leave fish in order to find more fish! As little as 10% of the angling population account for 80% of all bass caught.

2. Largemouth bass are the most intelligent freshwater fish & are able to distinguish & avoid specific lures after only one encounter. According to the IGFA, some bass lakes believed to be “fished out” contain plenty of bass, but the fish have learned to recognize virtually all the lures in common use on the lake. In such cases, a bait that is new to them will often work where others have failed.

3. The Largemouth bass was first described as a new species in 1802 by the French naturalist La Cépède. He relied on drawings and reports sent to him from a colleague in South Carolina. The largemouth bass is now the most popular game fish in America.

4. Largemouth bass live 16 years on average. The oldest known bass was 23 years old.

Baby Bass In Net, photo cred: “DSC_4664” by MyFWCmedia

5. During the spawn male bass will nudge females to help stimulate the release of eggs. Usually bass will spawn when they are one year old and approximately one pound in size in ponds in the south. In reservoirs and streams they may reach 6 to 7 inches at age one and spawn at age two. After spawning with a female is complete, male bass remain at the nest to guard the eggs and then the newly hatched fry.

6. Bass have a protective layer of mucus covering their body that helps prevent parasites and infections. Wet your hands and don’t allow the fish to touch the ground to prevent the bass from losing its slime.

7. Largemouth bass are described as having a fusiform body shape – that means they have a torpedo-like body that is tapered at both the head and the tail. The longest largemouth bass ever recorded was 29.5 inches long!

8. The largemouth bass is the freshwater state fish of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.

9. Only about 10% of any given body of water has the right combo of structure, cover, food, temp, oxygen content, etc. that quality bass are looking for and an overwhelming majority of the bass can be found there. The other 90% is void of good-sized fish.

10. Bass have an inner ear bone that can pick up small frequencies of sound like the movement of a crawfish.

11. Largemouth bass typically rely on camouflage to ambush their prey and can make quick short bursts with swimming speeds of 18-20 miles per hour. Just how fast can a bass swim? They can swim in bursts of more than 3 body lengths per second. That means a 20 inch bass could travel close to 5 feet in just 1 second.

12. Bass don’t always “strike”. Anglers must stay alert to feel for the gentle “mouthing” of a bait or lure and be aware that if your line is slowly moving it’s time to set the hook!

13. An angler from California named Mac Weakley actually caught the largest largemouth bass ever (25.1 pounds) in 2006 but it did not count towards any records because he foul-hooked it!

14. It is a common belief that schooling bass are only small fish. While this is sometimes true, bass tend to run in groups of fish that are the same size and age. Thus, somewhere on the lake there are schools of larger bass. They are usually in deeper holding areas than most anglers are targeting. Fewer fish reach old age so schools of larger size fish generally contain less fish than schools of small bass.

“Wes Porak” by FWC Research

15. Many anglers practice what is known as CPR – Catch, Photo and Release. Bass respond well to catch and release because of their hardiness and they have the ability to withstand repeated hook injuries without compromising their ability to feed or causing damage to their gills.

16. When bass migrate, or temporarily move, they do not actually disperse and span out. Rather, they travel together in orderly fashion along underwater highways using structural variations as “signposts” to show them the way. This is very similar to the trails that deer use.

17. Largemouth are the most adaptable of all the bass species. They do just fine even if the water is warm, cold, shallow, deep, murky or clear.

18. Bass know the amount of energy they must expend in relation to the reward they receive. This is why big bass often seem lazy or uninterested even in the presence of excellent food options.

19. Bass are cold-blooded animals which means their body temperatures are the same temperature as the water in which they inhabit. Largemouth bass are most comfortable in water temperatures between 65° and 75°. As the water temperature warms, the metabolism of largemouth bass increases and they must feed more often.

20. Bass have ctenoid scales that are jagged around the edges and that overlap slightly to allow greater flexibility in movement. The other type of fish scale is cycloid. Cycloid scales are rounded and smooth and can be found on fish like carp and salmon.

21. Bass see in color and have eyes similar to humans (cornea, retina, pupil), but their eyes are rounder than humans to handle the light refraction that occurs underwater.

The post 24 Incredible Largemouth Bass Facts first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.

For another fact-heavy reference, see our 24 incredible largemouth bass facts.

“Largemouth Bass” by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

1. Taxonomists recognize two subspecies of largemouth bass: the Florida largemouth and the Northern largemouth. The two look alike but the Florida largemouth has slightly smaller scales and grows faster.

2. The largemouth bass is one of the most widely distributed fish in the WORLD and can currently be found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and even the Pacific Islands.

3. Largemouth bass are just one of the 30,000+ species of fish that have been identified.

4. Largemouth bass can see well in all directions except straight back and straight down.

5. Largemouth are a part of the sunfish family – Centrarchidae – which means “nest builders”.

“Largemouth Bass” by NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

6. Sound travels 4.3x faster underwater than through air. Bass use their lateral lines to “hear” or detect sounds and vibrations from up to 100 feet away. Bass can only see for about 50 feet (in optimal conditions).

7. The heaviest largemouth bass ever officially weighed-in, was caught by Manabu Kurita in Japan. It weighed 22.311 pounds and was hooked using a live bluegill.

8. Research has shown that some largemouth bass occupy isolated areas and only make localized movements while other bass make lengthier journeys that can cover many portions of the lake in as little as one day.

9. Just how fast can a bass swim? They can swim in bursts of more than 3 body lengths per second. That means a 20 inch bass could travel close to 5 feet in just 1 second.

10. Female largemouth bass can produce 4,000 eggs or more. The female bass will drop the eggs in stages, mating with multiple males, to ensure the best survival rate for her offspring.

11. In the summertime, largemouth bass are often attracted to the cooler waters of a lake’s thermocline. The thermocline is where stratification occurs between the lakes warm surface water and the cool water from the lake bottom. Even though the thermocline may have half of the oxygen level as the warmer surface – bass seek its cooler temperatures anyway.

12. Largemouth bass have firm muscular bodies built primarily for strength rather than speed. Bass are not tailored for long pursuits and rely on quick turns, not sustained forward speed to catch prey.

Close up of largemouth eye

13. Largemouth bass have excellent vision and see most of the same colors as humans. Selecting a lure natural in color and resembling the prey they are feeding on will help fool them into biting.

14. Bernard Germain de Lacépède (1756-1825), a French naturalist, was the first to describe the largemouth bass in 1802.

The original nomenclature chosen was Labrus salmoides. Lacépède’s translated description is as follows:

Nine goaded rays and thirteen spokes articulated at the fin of the back, thirteen rays at the fin of the anus; the operculum composed of four blades, and terminated by an angular prolongation; two orifices to each nostril; the general color of a blackish brown.

15. The vision of largemouth bass improves with age. Their eyes continue to grow throughout their life, regardless of body growth.

16. The name “bass” is derived from the Old English word bærs, meaning prickly fish – referring to spiny dorsal fins that all perch (including largemouth) have.

17. Bass don’t grow new scales as they get bigger, but their scales do increase in size as they grow – creating growth rings.

“Largemouth Bass (1975)” by Hunter-Desportes

18. An average 2 lb female bass will lay about 8000 eggs a year. From those eggs only 5-10 will survive to be 10 inches or longer.

19. Largemouth bass have 6 senses. In addition to hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch they also have the lateral line. This later line is a set of pores that run down the fishes sides and can detect movement and pressure changes in the surrounding water.

20. George Perry’s 22.25 pound bass from Montgomery Lake in 1932 still holds the IGFA World Record and has not been “officially” beaten over 87 years later.

The post 20 Largemouth Bass Facts You Don’t Already Know first appeared on Bass Fishing Facts.