Bass (// BASS) is a name shared by many different species of fish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species, all belonging to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch".
Types of bass
- The Black basses, such as the Choctaw bass (M. haiaka), Guadalupe bass (M. treculii), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu), and spotted bass (M. punctulatus), belong to the sunfish family, Centrarchidae.
- The Temperate basses, such as the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and white bass (M. chrysops), belong to the family Moronidae.
- The Asian seabasses, such as the Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) and Blackfin seabass (Lateolabrax latus), belong to the family Lateolabracidae.
Other species known as bass
- For other fish called "bass", see Sea bass.
Many species are also known as basses, including:
- The Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, is a member of the temperate perch family, Percichthyidae.
- The black sea bass, Centropristis striata, is a member of the sea bass and sea grouper family, Serranidae.
- The Chilean sea bass, Dissostichus eleginoides, more commonly known as the Patagonian toothfish, is a member of the cod icefish family, Nototheniidae.
- The giant sea bass Stereolepis gigas, also known as the black sea bass, is a member of the wreckfish family, Polyprionidae.
- The "lanternbellies" or "temperate ocean-basses" - the family Acropomatidae.
Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass is the most popular game fish in North America.
It is also very popular fishing in South Africa where the large mouth bass is often found in lakes and dams.
When fishing preferably use lures rather than actual bait such as worms or corn. Lures with bright colours and tail like bits are very helpful.