The Bass!
The Bass!
The European Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a primarily ocean-going fish native to the waters off Europe’s western and southern coasts, though it can also be found in shallow coastal waters and river mouths during the summer months and late autumn.
European bass is a slow-growing species that takes several years to reach adulthood. An adult European bass usually weighs around 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). European bass can reach measurements of up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length and 12 kg (26 lb) in weight, though the most common size is only about half of that at 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in). Individuals are silvery grey and sometimes a dark-bluish color on the back.
Diet and behavior!
The European bass hunts as much during the day as it does at night, feeding on small fish (both pelagic, such as sardines, sprats, and sand smelts, and sand eels, squid, and crustaceans).
The big fish weighing more than 4 kg (8.8 lb) are mostly night hunters. They spawn from February to June, mostly in coastal waters. As fry, they are pelagic, but as they develop, they move into estuaries, where they stay for a year or two.
Where do we find Bass?
Rocky Beaches!
Rocky beaches that get covered when the tides cover and uncover them make ideal places for bass. Huge boulders, gullies, and deep pools all provide cover for small fish, which in turn the bass know. They will come into these areas, patrolling them or sitting and waiting to ambush these small fish as the currents flow in and out.
Rocky Headlands!
Rocky headlands provide deep water. As the tide pushes in and out, it flows around and over rocks and kelp beds, making strong currents, which in turn trap sand eels, small fish, and mackerel, who get trapped and disoriented. Bass hides behind these rocks and kelp beds, ambushing these fish trapped in the currents.
Sandy Beaches!
Sandy Beeches, where waves break when the tide comes in and out, stir up the sand and trap sand eels and other small fish. They get disoriented in between the waves and the bass patrol these areas and ambush any prey they can find there.
Estuaries!
Estuaries provide many areas to find bass, as the tide floods in and out, it covers/uncovers mud flats, weed-covered rocks, gullies, boulders, floating weed beds, and old boat wrecks. Shoals of bait fish, and sand eels all move in with the tides, as the tide floods, worms & crabs emerge, and all food for the bass to feed on.
Harbors/Marinas!
Harbours & Marina provides lots of places for bass, you have boats, moorings, jetties, pillars plus many other underwater objects, like weeds, rocks, etc. Small fish and sand eel swim around all these areas, making it an ideal habitat for bass to feed around.
Other Places!
Bass like structures to hide behind, where they can sit up and ambush their prey, so things like weed-covered rocks in estuaries, bridge pillars, wooden wrecks of old boats, mud channels, and weed beds of bladder rack weed. Different types of food can be found in these areas. All are making ideal places for bass to hunt and feed.
