Bass Basics
While commonly referred to as ¨black bass¨, species like Largemouth and Smallmouth are actually the largest members of this diverse freshwater family.
What is the Sunfish Family?
In the fishing world, this two-word term refers to any non-living, man-made object - like a crankbait or a plastic worm - used to entice a fish to bite.
What are artificial lures?
These organs allow a fish to breathe by absorbing dissolved oxygen directly from the water.
What are gills?
Often the first knot an angler learns, this is the most common way to tie a hook or lure to a monofilament line.
What is an improved clinch knot?
This name is given to a rainbow trout that migrates from the Great Lakes or the ocean into rivers to spawn.
What is a Steelhead?
This physical feature is the primary way to tell Largemouth and Smallmouth apart.
What is the Jaw?
Characterized by an open face and a stationary spool, this is the most popular reel type for multi-species fishing.
What is a spinning reel?
These bony, overlapping plates cover the skin of most fish and can be used by biologists to determine a fish's age.
What are scales?
Doubling the line before tying it makes this knot one of the strongest options, especially for braided lines.
What is the palomar knot?
Known for being a ¨scrappy¨ fighter, this panfish is identified by a small mouth and a dark ¨ear¨ flap on its gill cover color.
What is a bluegill?
Because of their bronze-to-brown coloration and aggressive fighting style, smallmouth bass are frequently called by this nickname.
What is a bronzeback?
This lure features a thin metal body that produces a high frequency vibration when pulled through the water.
What is a blade bait?
Most bony fish use this internal, gas-filled organ to control their buoyancy and stay at a specific depth without swimming.
What is a swim bladder?
This knot is the preferred way to join two lines together, such as a fluorocarbon leader to a braided main line.
What is a double uni knot?
This prehistoric fish has a long, tooth-filled snout and scales that are as hard as armor.
What is a Gar?
This legendary angler, often consider the greatest of all time, has a record four bass-master classics and is known by his three letter initials.
Who is Kevin VanDam(KVD)?
Because it lacks a diving lip and features a weighted body with a plastic tail fin, this lure is designed to hunt or Dart in a wide erratic curves when given a sharp twitch.
What is a glide bait?
This visible line running down the side of a fish's body is a sensory organ used to detect vibrations and movement in the water.
What is a lateral line?
This finesse rig involves tying a hook directly to the line with a ¨tag end¨ that holds a weight at the very bottom.
What is a drop shot rig?
While similar to the Muskie, this predator is distinguished by having light colored spots on a dark body.
What is a Northern Pike?
Caught in Georgia in 1932 by George Perry, the world record for largemouth bass stands at this massive weight, which has remained unbeaten for over 90 years.
What is 22 pounds, 4 ounces?
This vibrating jig, often called by its famous brand name ¨The Jackhammer¨, uses a hexagonal metal blade to produce a distinct thumping sound and side to side hunting action.
What is a chatter bait?
This small, fleshy fin is found on the back of certain fish - like trout salmon and catfish - located between the dorsal fin and the tail.
What is the adipose fin?
Known as one of the strongest and thinnest connections for joining braided line to a leader, this knot is famous for having no ¨bulk¨ so it can fly through rod guides, and is notoriously hard to tie perfectly.
What is an FG knot?
This species is a ¨true bass¨ (unlike Largemouth) and is famous for its distinct horizontal black stripes running down its silver sides.
What is a Striped Bass?