Bass fishing represents one of the most popular fishingsports(1 practiced today. Its popularity has yielded a multi-billion dollar
industry unto itself, aside from the business of other modes of sport fishing.
There are boats on the market designed specifically for bass fishing(2. Clothes
and gears are also very popular.
Freshwater sport fishing in Florida provided recreational
opportunities for over 1.32 million people, over age 16, and generated an
economic output of $2.0 billion in 2001. Aside from that, Florida freshwater
recreational fishing generated 19,519 jobs with earnings of $484 million in
2001. Florida freshwater fishing(3 provided 20.8 million angler days of
recreation (92% resident) based on 14.5 million trips. (A trip is from the time
someone leaves home until they return and may include many days; a day is
defined by an activity on a specific day.)
Bass habitats include a variety of environments, from
rivers, lakes, streams, and even ponds. Rivers provide(4 one of the healthiest
habitats, due to the highly oxygenated waters from the rapid current. In order
to fish bass from rivers, it is best to seek out breaks in the current, perhaps
from a fallen tree, a stump, or rocks. The fish that bass feed upon will
normally school below a dam, thereby making these spots ideal for bass fishing.
There are at least 32 species of fish commonly caught in the
numerous lakes, ponds, canals and rivers throughout Southwest Florida(6. The
anglers pursuing the most popular of these freshwater game fish are locally
referred to as either bass fisherman, "perch jerkers", pan fisherman
or catfishermen, depending upon the object of their pursuit.
The most common and popular of these are Largemouth Bass,
Catfish, Panfish, Chain pickerel and Crappie.
Largemouth Bass without a doubt is the most sought after
game fish in Florida. It is the main target(7 of the majority of anglers. Many of
these lure busting monsters in the 10 to 12 pound range are taken every year in
local waters.
The yellow and brown bullhead, followed by the channel
catfish, is the most abundant in the area. They are favored by sportsman for
the delicious table fare that they provide. Also harvested commercially, mainly
on Lake Okeechobee, and their tasty fillets are served as an "all you can
eat" favorite in most area restaurants. But it is still the bass fish that
promises the challenge of the sport(8.
Every freshwater river, canal, lake and pond in South West
Florida is abundant with what is locally referred to as "panfish" for
the thick tasty fillets they provide. The term actually covers a wide variety
of pan sized fish in the sunfish family. These include, but are not limited to,
the following: bluegill, bream, warmouth, and the most sought after, redeared
sunfish, locally referred to as a "shellcracker" for its diet of
aquatic snails. Another favorite is the exotic oscar(9, which has flourished in
the hundreds of miles of canals in the area.
An angler needs only to arm themselves with a cane pole and
a can of worms or crickets for guaranteed success in catching supper. However,
most anglers opt for the ultra-light spinning outfits with tiny spinners and
spoons, or the fly rod with popping bugs(10. Catches of fifty or more a day are
common.
While not particularly sought after, the pickerel must still
be considered a game fish for its savage attacks on the lures most commonly
thrown by bass fisherman. They are fast, tackle busting acrobatic fighters.
While edible, they are usually released due the many pesky little bones in
their fillets.
Also locally called speckled perch or "specks" and
considered as the favorite of the "perch jerkers" or crappie
fisherman that pursue them. These quick striking fish fall for a variety of
lures. They congregate in large schools and once located(11, provide the angler
with plenty of action and a great fish fry.
There are innumerable techniques and types of tackle
available to practice the sport of bass fishing. For a beginner, it is advised
to gather some more basic tools to get started. Some suggestions point towards
acquiring a 10-pound line, suitable for the average sizes and weights of this
species. Also, it is suggested to start with artificial bait until the angler
has a better understanding of the unique characteristics of the bass fish. The
Spinnerbait is common artificial bait used by both amateur and seasoned
anglers.
The catch and release method was first introduced in the
1950s. It was designed to reduce the rising costs of restocking hatchery(12-raised
fish, and was normally used for fish not meant for consumption. Popular
consensus does not consider bass as a food fish, and thus this technique is
widely used.
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