BASSOLOGY by Jen Edgar

BASSOLOGY
by Jen Edgar

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BASSO

[ba-sol-uh-jee]

U

Story

BY JEN EDGAR

Photos by Robert Matsuura

nderstanding the biology of bass, or “bas-

sology”, as I like to say, is vital to being able

to catch bass with consistency year round.

There are many scientific articles that can be found to further gain knowledge of bass and other fish species alike.

Field and laboratory studies are often conducted on black bass and species that affect the everyday life of bass, which contribute to the evolution of the fishing

mouth extends past the eye, hence its common name. The largemouth bass has well-developed pharyngeal jaws, consisting of six major pads of caniform teeth in the upper pharynx and two pads in the lower pharynx. There are no teeth present on the tongue.

FLORIDA VS. NORTHERN

The Florida largemouth has slightly smaller scales than the northern

industry and our knowledge of chasing that elusive

largemouth bass in relation

personal best or tournament winning kicker.

to the size of its body. It

BIOLOGY

The phylogeny of largemouth bass is, Order: Perciformes, Family: Centrarchidae, Genus: Micropterus and Species : salmoides. There are two recognized subspecies, the Florida largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides floridanus ) and the Northern largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides salmoides ). Although the two subspecies differ slightly in body structure, behavior, and growth, genetic tests are needed to positively identify them.

The largemouth bass has a large, slightly sloping mouth. Its body is slender to robust, slightly compressed laterally, and oval in cross section. The corner of the

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