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Freshwater fishing is one of America's most loved pastimes. Men and woman alike fish the lakes and streams around the country in search of Small and Largemouth Bass, the ultimate freshwater catch, or at least the most commonly thought of. These fish are dominate in most lakes and streams year round, making them perfect for the casual or competitive fishermen, but there may be things you don't know about these fish.

You may have heard the term Black Bass in your lifetime and thought it was a specific kind of fish, well you're partly right. The species commonly known as Black Bass include a variety of fish, including Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Guadalupe, and Redeye. So when a person refers to catching a "Black Bass" or you hear that term remember that it refers to a specific species of a large group of fish

Here is an interesting question for you, which is the larger fish? A Smallmouth Bass or Largemouth Bass? Well most people assume that the Largemouth is the bigger of the two fish however for the most part that is a misconception. Some Southern species of the Largemouth Bass can reach and exceed 20 pounds; however this is in a rare case. The usual weight for these fish is right around 8 to 10 pounds meanwhile Smallmouth Bass can easily exceed 12 pounds and quite often do. So don't let the name fool you when it comes to the size of these fish.

Location is key when trying to catch a specific kind of fish, and Bass are no exception. Try and determine what fish you will be after then choose a location to suite your needs. When talking about Smallmouth Bass you want to find a location with clean clear water. Smallmouth Bass tend to prefer calm clear open water lakes and streams with rocky or gravel bottoms. The Largemouth is in complete contrast preferring weedy mud-bottomed waters. So consider this when picking a fishing hole for the day.

Fishing calms and relaxes us. It brings us back to nature in a way that nothing else can do, and we need this in life, to relieve stress, and take the pressures of city life and modern living away. When your out on the lake it's like you have stepped into another world and that's the true draw of fishing, however being informed can make the experience all the more enjoyable. With a bit of preparation and planning, getting your facts straight about what you're trying to catch and the place the fish live can increase your haul. Don't let your wife laugh at you for bringing home and empty cooler again; it is a pain that never goes away.

Learn more about this author, Chris Guinn.
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