Bass (/bæs/;pl.: bass) is acommon name shared by many species ofray-finned fish from the largecladePercomorpha, mainly belonging to theordersPerciformes andMoroniformes, encompassing bothfreshwater andmarine species. The wordbass comes fromMiddle Englishbars, meaning "perch",[1] despite that none of the commonly referred bass species belong to the perchfamilyPercidae.
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Many species are also known as basses,[2] including:
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Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are the most popular game fish in North America.[3]
It is also very popular in South Africa. In the continent, largemouth bass are often found in lakes, rivers, creeks, and dams.
When fishing, lures (bass worms), live bait, spinner baits, jig bait, jerkbait and crank bait will work well. Lures that mimic baitfish, worms, crayfish, frogs, and mice are all effective. Fishing with a small mepps or rooster tail in-line spinner is very effective for creek fishing, when bass are scouting for small baitfish.[4][better source needed] In open water, lures that cover the water quickly such as spoons, spinners and lipless crankbaits.[clarification needed][5] During the fall and winter months, bass will be less active and eat less. In this situation, one can fish with suspending lures or slow lures like ned rig, suspending jerkbaits.[6] In the summertime, one can throw lures that float or sink 2–4ft since bass come to shallow areas and prefer faster lures.[7]
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