Mike Kelsen

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10 Species Of Fish Found In Florida | Types Of Saltwater Fishing

10 Species Of Fish Found In Florida | Types Of Saltwater Fishing

Species Of Fish

Florida is known to have more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers, and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline. For this reason, you can imagine a vast number of species of saltwater fish, and fishing is one of the top activities for locals and visitors in the said place.

It is no wonder why the state has been producing more than 900 world records in many different categories in terms of fishing and fish species within 100 miles of Tampa Bay.

How many species of saltwater fish are in Florida? Believe it or not, Florida is known to have 70 saltwater fish species, according to the Florida Saltwater Fish Life.

This article tackles all famous saltwater fish that resides in Florida. Aside from tackling what makes these fish species special, this post can help you better understand the right way to catch saltwater fish according to different experts and government protocols. Let’s get into it.

Fish To Catch In Florida

Florida is known to have 70 total saltwater species, and if you are looking for the perfect place to fish and check some saltwater fishes, here is where you should go.

Florida serves as the ultimate blueprint for people who are into fishing. Its geography offers many gulf streams, reefs, wrecks, estuaries, bays, and oceans.

If desired, you can easily spot some bonefish and billfish on the same day. Here are some of the top fish species you can catch looking for Florida’s best Saltwater fish.

Tarpon

Others call Tarpon the silver king of sportfishing, and it is highly prized for its ability but not as valued as food.

Tarpon is considered one of the most popular gamefish, and it can tolerate a wide range of salinities. They are mostly found throughout the state’s waters, so you won’t have difficulty finding and catching them.

Sailfish

Sailfish is Florida’s official state saltwater fish, and this tackle buster inhabits many tropical and subtropical waters. They are commonly known to travel alone or in small groups, and you can easily spot them with their features.

They have a long, high first dorsal fin and are known for their high, acrobatic jumps. It is no wonder why many anglers invest their time in catching sailfish in Florida.

Spotted Sea Trout

Spotted sea trout are known as speckled trout, and it is a schooling species found in many estuaries, bays, and shallow waters. You can pretty much tell what a spotted sea trout is because it has two large canine teeth in its upper jaw.

They primarily feed on shrimp and even small baitfish. Spotted sea trout is also one of Florida’s most popular sport fish, and it will hit everything from topwater plugs up to saltwater.

Snook

Snook is most commonly found in many of Florida’s warmer waters, and it is susceptible to changes in water temperature. It is known to be a robust and voracious predator, and this Florida fish will rip a fishing line into shreds.

If you are looking for some light tackle, this is an excellent sport as snooks are cagey prey but worth the time if you are planning to catch them.

Red Drum

Red Drum is mainly known as the redfish, a shallow-water schooling fish. It can be found in salt and brackish water, and sometimes it can be distinguished from the black drum.

This is due to the lack of chin barbels, and it has a more elongated body than the black one. It also has a large black spot, sometimes several spots, right before the tail, and this species is now considered a conservation success story.

Largemouth Bass

Florid is also known for its Largemouth bass, and they might not be a saltwater species, but this species has an international reputation.

Many anglers worldwide are joining in the mix to get their hands on a big fish. Florida is considered to be the top destination for black bass fishing. They are usually found in freshwater, but they also go in saltwater when they want to and during their breeding period.

Panfish

Panfish is a general term to describe different species. This includes sunfish, bluegills, redbreast sunfish, red ear sunfish, and some warmouth.

These fish are the mainstay for many young anglers, and you can catch these by feeding on worms, bugs, and some spinnerbaits.

Grouper

Grouper is another generic name for many deepwater species. These include different bottom-dwellers that are important for many fishermen.

Red grouper and gag grouper are the most popular with many anglers. Some anglers give them names like bottom fish, but they move in the shallow area during the cooler months.

Snapper

Snapper is an offshore species usually found around 60 to 440 feet in many saltwater areas. The red snapper is the one with a pinkish to red, and it has a pointed anal fin. It makes it distinguishable from all the other members of the snapper family.

It is also a fact that Juvenile Red Snapper was once died by millions in shrimp trawls, but new regulations have helped this fish bounce back.

If you are looking for some good cuisine, you might need to consider having a red snapper as it is one of the most delicate food fish found in Florida waters.

Mackerel

This fish family includes the king Mackerel and its smaller cousin, the Spanish Mackerel. These are commonly found in the Western Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to the Gulf of Mexico.

It is considered one of the state’s top ocean predators in Florida, and kingfish are the favorite target of many anglers and fishermen.

Types Of Saltwater Fishing

After learning what saltwater species to expect in Florida, you need to know different types of saltwater fishing. There is no shortage of destinations when trying to find the best spot in this state.

You can easily cast off the sands of your local beach or the planks of a pier. You are good to go as long as you are in the ocean and have the correct saltwater fishing gear.

Ultimately, choosing where to fish comes down to different practices and knowing what fish you want to catch. Here are some of the types of saltwater fishing you should check out:

Surf Fishing

When you plan to try surf fishing, you are either standing on the shoreline or wading into the surf. When you first start this activity, you might be surprised that you can catch a wide variety of fish off the shoreline.

This is aside from deep-sea game fish. You can easily catch most saltwater fish without going out onto the central ocean. This is why surf fishing is a great starting location for many beginners.

If you are leaning toward surf fishing, your fishing rod should be at least 12 and 15-feet long with extensive line guides. It would help if you combined your rod with some saltwater spinning reel and at least a 25-pound test line for better results.

Bait, shrimp, mullet, and squid are the perfect and most reliable baits for surf fishing. Shrimp tends to attract most fish species but use it with caution as they can easily pull it off the hook. Mullet and squid can last longer but be aware that they attract fewer fish species.

Bay Fishing

Many saltwater fishermen experience some of the best fishing around many reefs, hills, and shallows. They can quickly get all different saltwater fish by bay fishing as bays are coastal water bodies connected to a main body of water.

They tend to be large and enclosed, making them ideal fishing locations to find various saltwater sport fish, baitfish, and crustaceans.

You will have the most success when you bay fish with a 7-foot heavy action rod if you are bay fishing. This rod is combined with a spinning or baitcasting reel, and you can add a 20-pound monofilament line, and you are good to go.

You can bring a combination of live and artificial bait for bay fishing bait while you are out in the bay. It is recommended to bring gold metal spoons, some white bucktail job lures, and live bait like shrimp to experiment and see what the fish bite.

Deep-Sea Fishing

Deep-sea fishing is the same as saltwater fishing for many anglers looking for a challenge and adrenaline rush. It comes from a long, hard fight capturing a big game fish.

This type of saltwater fishing is not necessarily recommended for many beginners unless you have a guide. It is best suited for a more seasoned angler because you will be in the open ocean for a long time.

If you are planning to undergo deep-sea saltwater fishing, you need to have a wide variety of gamefish. You will want to bring several different rods widely depending on what fish you plan to catch.

Generally speaking, you can get by with a 6 – 7 foot medium action fishing rod and a heavy bait caster reel at about 20-pound.

The technique and experience will play a significant role in fishing bait as catching pelagic gamefish heavily rely on it. It would help if you experimented with both live and artificial baits for bottom fishing and jigging. You can cut squid, threadfin herring, deep-diving plugs, or deep-sea bottom jigs.

Ultimate Guide To Florida Saltwater Fishing

If you are a fan of saltwater fishing, you have come to the right place, as Florida can offer you this kind of activity. Whether you prefer to fish from a boat or a pier, Florida saltwater fishing is probably what you are looking for game fish or dinner.

Gulf Stream

Many gulf streams are deep, blue, and full of large game fish that can turn the shape of a rod into a pretzel. This place is where many battlers such as blue marlin, wahoo, sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, swordfish, yellowfish, and blackfin tuna reside.

Trolling lures and baits is your probably best bet, although offshore fly fishing has increased a lot in popularity nowadays.

Flats

You will be amazed how fat snook or redfish can travel in shallow waters about the length of your hand. You can even get the best results in bodies of water that are two feet or less in-depth, particularly with seagrasses and bottom contours.

It is homesteaded by crabs, shrimps, and other fish munchies. Wading is popular, as is casting from shorelines and the ultimate challenge here is sight-fishing from the boat being pulled by a guide.

Bays

Bays are considered to be relatively shallow and easier on the kidneys compared to fishing offshore. Bay waters teem with an assortment of game fish favorites.

It would be best if you took various rods and reels that are light, medium, and heavy to aptly duel with whatever slurps up your bait. Many fishier hot spots include Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, Whitewater Bay, Chokoloskee Bay, Ponce De Leon Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Pensacola Bay.

Jetties

If you plan for saltwater fishing, you need to look for concrete or rocky jetties that line both sides of a choice spot. Many inlets are angler-friendly that can provide access and facilities.

You can be lucky to find a good casting state for shots at Tarpon, snook, redfish, jacks, and even Mackerel. This can assemble during tidal changes, and a free-line crab or shrimp with the current or lure up-current will do the trick for you.

Piers

If you do not have a bot, that does not mean that you won’t enjoy saltwater fishing. You need to walk deeper water as pier anglers regularly catch Spanish Mackerel, snook, Tarpon, sheepshead, redfish, trout, and other stars of the fishing world.

Pilings themselves serve as attractants to many fishes. Lights shown in the water at night will become fish magnets, and this is an excellent piet fishing that can be found in Broward and Miami-Dade counties and many parts of the Panhandle.

Shoreline

Fishing in islands, beaches, and even rocky coastal areas can be fished with good results. You need to move along quietly as fish can actually tell the slightest noises or even see you.

You can soak bait on the bottom or cast parallel to the beach to get some snook or reds hinting at the troughs for some foods.

Florida Fishing Trips

Now you understand what saltwater species and types of fishing you can do in Florida. If you have plans to go fishing, you need to educate yourself with the proper knowledge and laws in this state.

According to the 2011 National Survey for Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, over 3 million anglers went out fishing in this state.

A diverse range of saltwater fish species can be found, and it offers an abundance of angling opportunities. Here are some things that you might want to know before going into a wet line in the Sunshine State:

  1. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission can offer you saltwater license-free fishing days each year. It means that new anglers can even try out the experience of fishing in the state of Florida. You may also apply for a fishing license online, and in just one click, you will get it.

  2. Largemouth bass fishing enthusiasts might be interested in knowing that the Florida strain of largemouth generally grows faster and more prominent than northern largemouth bass.

  3. When you are fishing in Florida, you need to be aware of your surroundings all the time. Proper education is needed for wildlife that can be present in the area where you plan to fish.

    It includes alligators and different species of snakes. Always read the safety tips provided by the Commission to help you to know what to do if you encounter any of them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wide varieties of saltwater fish can be seen in the Sunshine State of Florida. There are plenty of angling activities you can try to make sure you got the best catch while at the same time having fun.

Many places and techniques for tangling can produce a successful Florida saltwater fishing experience. All you should do is follow the protocols and be part of the time.

Remember to keep only the fish you will eat and then release the rest. As a result, this will ensure a healthy fishery in the future for you and the next generation of anglers.

The 350 Pound Fish Located In Florida’s Water | Good Eats

The 350 Pound Fish Located In Florida’s Water | Good Eats

Biggest Fish

If you ever dreamed of catching a big fish in Florida, knowing the biggest fish caught in the said state will inspire you to keep fishing.

Catching a fish is an exhilarating experience, so imagine the thrill of reeling a big one to your boat. This post is regarding the biggest fish in Florida that might be your next catch today.

What is the biggest fish in Florida? The biggest fish caught in Florida is a 440 pounds Warsaw grouper. It was found in about 600 feet of water and is caught using a line and hook.

If your goal is to catch a big fish in Florida, read on to find out the biggest fish caught in the said state. Also included is a list of the best fishing spots in Florida and some tips on catching colossal fish.

The 350 Pounds Warsaw Grouper

According to the Wildlife Conservation Commission, a huge fish weighing 350 pounds was caught in southwest Florida. The fish was identified as a Warsaw grouper, a species of marine ray-finned fish from the Epinephelinae subfamily related to the Serranidae family, wherein sea basses and anthias belong.

With its enormous weight and size, this Warsaw grouper is considered among the biggest fish in Florida. The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute says that the giant fish was caught with the help of a hook and line in about 600ft. of water.

Each fish species has a maximum size they can grow into. While some groupers are relatively small, Warsaw grouper and other groupers can be pretty significant. The largest grouper can grow over a meter and weigh nearly 880 pounds.

According to biologists from FWRI’s Age & Growth Lab, the Warsaw grouper caught in southwest Florida was around 50 years old. For this reason, it was declared as the oldest sample collected for the agency’s aging program.

 Physical Characteristics Of A Warsaw Grouper

What makes a Warsaw distinct is its elongated second dorsal spine. This fish species is the only one that has ten dorsal spines because the rest has eleven.

Usually, adult Warsaw thrives in depths of 180 to 1700 feet, while juveniles are sometimes found around shallow-water reefs and jetties in the northern Gulf.

This big fish can grow into 7.5 feet and weigh up to 580 pounds. The recorded largest fish caught in Florida is 440 pounds.

As of today, the population of Warsaw grouper is not known. For this reason, the FMC says they don’t encourage fishing the said species.

List Of Big Fish Caught In Florida

Below is a list of important fish species that are caught in Florida:

  • Alligator Gar – A 123 pounds alligator gar was caught by an angler named Zachary Phillips on July 8, 1995, in Choctawhatchee River, Walton County.

  • Flathead Catfish – Lavon Nowling caught a 69.9 pounds flathead catfish in Sta. Rosa County on August 26, 2020. The huge fish is 48.5 inches in length and has 38.25 inches girth.

  • Blue Catfish –  A 69.5 pounds blue catfish was caught by William Stewart III in Washington County. It has a length of 48.5 inches and a girth of around 31.75 inches.

  • Striped Bass – In Apalachicola River, Gadsden, Alphonso Barnes caught a 42.24 pounds striped bass on December 14, 1993.

  • Longnose Gar – Another big fish caught in Florida is a 41 pounds longnose gar. It was captured by an angler named Evan Merritt in Lake Panasoffkee, Sumter County, on April 14, 1985.

  • Common Carp – On May 24, 1981, a 40.56 pounds common carp was caught by Bernard Rowan in Apalachicola River, Gadsden County. A 35 pounds fish of the same species was captured on January 1, 2001, by an unknown angler.

  • Largemouth Bass – A 20.13 pounds largemouth bass was caught by Frederick Friebel in Big Fish Lake, Pasco County, on May 19, 1923.

Tips To Catch A Big Fish In Florida

1. Get A Proper Tackle

If you aim for a large fish, you will need to have a suitable tackle cable. An appropriate tackle cable will allow you to cast your bait or lures to where the big fish are. Also, it has to be durable enough to withstand the fight involved in reeling the fish to your boat or shore.

You will need the three primary pieces of tackle to catch a giant fish, namely, fishing line, rod, and reel. To check if the pieces you will buy are strong enough for capturing big fish, look out for their labels as every fishing equipment is rated by the pounds of force they can withstand.

2. Choose Your Lures Or Bait

Another tip to successfully catch a big fish in Florida is to get the best tool to attract and hook huge fish. To attract fish, you need either a lure or a bait.

Lures are usually made of plastic, metal, wood, or non-organic substances that attempt to mimic the form of a small fish, insect, frog, or other creatures that fish prey upon.

On the other hand, bait is an organic material that is often alive, but not always, such as earthworm or minnow. You can also find baits in the form of corn, chicken livers, and other foods and organic substances.

When catching large fish, the number one rule is to utilize a large bait for big fish to notice and bite. While it is not always the case, it is best to use the largest bait in the spectrum to get the attention of big fish.

3. Find An Ideal Body Of Water To Catch Big Fish

You can only catch a big fish in a body of water where there are lots of large fish. Some places don’t have any fishing access to large fish species and contain much accessible big fish.

Among the top fishing spots in Florida where you can catch a big fish are the following:

  • Jacksonville / St. Augustine
  • Naples
  • Daytona Beach
  • Fort Myers / Cape Coral
  • Destin
  • Sarasota
  • Miami
  • Panama City Beach
  • The Florida Keys
  • Tampa Bay

4. Fish At Proper Time, Day, And Season

Fishing is not based on luck, especially if you are trying to catch a big fish in Florida. So, make sure to determine the best time, day, and season where big fish are possible to catch.

For instance, the Central West area of Florida is among the ideal places to catch fish. But, it is best to go there from April to September.

Fishing in other months won’t necessarily leave you with no catch as the place is known to have an all-year fishing activity. However, fishing enthusiasts who want to have a higher chance to catch a huge fish should try fish during the recommended months.

If you are targeting to visit a particular fishing spot in Florida anytime soon, be sure to do some research. Learn the best time, day, and season where fishing time is at its peak. Also, determine the time and place where the fish you are targeting is most active feeding.

5. Choose A Good Fishing Spot

As mentioned earlier, choosing the right body of water is vital to catch huge fish. A river or lake might seem similar to an untrained eye, but fish usually gather in specific areas underwater and never stay in other areas. The same is true with large fish that typically have predictable patterns.

Usually, big fish likes to gather in structures such as a patch of lily pads, sunken trees, bend in a river, or rock outcropping. These layouts provide some sort of concealment and shelter for fish. So, make sure to choose a fishing spot with structures to catch large fish.

6. Know-How To Maneuver Your Lure or Bait

Now, you are ready to catch a big fish. But before that, you have to be capable of casting your bait or lure to the spot where massive games gather and appropriately work the lure or bait to attract the fish.

When using bait, working it the right way is usually as simple as letting it sit or suspend on the bottom until a fish bites. On the other hand, artificial lures require you to retrieve the lure for it to seem alive.

It doesn’t matter if it is jerks, a steady reel, or twitches. You have to bring the fishing lure through the water while stimulating life to trigger a colossal fish to bite.

Conclusion

To sum it up, based on Florida’s record of the biggest fish caught, the biggest fish in Florida could be the Warsaw grouper. The enormous fish was once caught in southwest Florida, weighing 350 pounds, while the biggest caught was 440 pounds.

Aside from this fish species, other big fish you can catch in the said state includes largemouth bass, common carp, striped bass, alligator gar, longnose gar, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. If your goal is to capture a big fish in Florida, make sure to follow the tips mentioned earlier for better results.

3 Steps On How To Scale A Fish With Pictures & The Detail

Scaling A Fish

They say that there is a lot of fish in the sea. It is just a matter of how you get to have the best out of which. If you are fond of fishing or maybe someone who likes to eat fish all day and night, you may want to be equipped with the necessary things regarding scaling one.

Scaling

In life, you cannot have everything done for you at once. It would be best to do that by yourself because these things are not for you to take for granted.

One typical example of this is that in most cases, grocery stores or supermarkets will provide you with fresh meat and fish with which you have to clean and cook all by yourself.

You could only let them do the job if you get to pay them or if they like so. But if not, it is already in your hands.

When it comes to fish, maybe it would be disgusting to hear that you have to get it cleaned and scaled. You might feel so gross knowing that you need to use your bare hands and scaling either a living fish or a dead fish. Scaling a living one sure would take you to a different level.

If you are willing to learn the steps in scaling a fish, take some newspapers with you so your work will not get messy. It would help if you also have a bluntly edged knife for scraping purposes. Most importantly, make sure to rinse your work with a cold type of water.

There are three easy steps for you to scale a fish. The primary step is to rinse your fish. Next to it is to scrape off the scales of the fish. Last but not least, you might as well resort to other scaling techniques. Now, below is your guide for each step.

 Rinse The Fish

When you rinse the fish, you must use a cold type of water because cold water is best to rinse off the fishy smell of which. If you happen to scale a fish, rinsing it well using cold water would eventually aid you in getting rid of the slime it has on its scales.

If you happen to hold a fish with your bare hands, it could easily slip off due to its slimy attributes. So, if you rinse it off entirely, you can then easily get a hold of it with the help of either a dry towel or any cloth.

In this manner, the chances of it slipping off your hands would be minimal. Hence, it would not burden you if you cut it off using a knife in the later part.

Upon rinsing off with cold water, you must see that the cold water runs off for a few minutes for the best results. Likewise, this manner will let the scales on the fish get loosened more. So, you must always see that you get to rinse all parts of the fish thoroughly.

In scaling a fish, you must undergo three essential steps. These steps might be quite difficult for you to handle, especially if you are a first-timer. But as a lot of people say, practice makes perfect.

So, if you happen to practice scaling a fish, eventually, one day, it would just be a piece of cake for you to begin with.

Now, after the water session, you should be careful with placing your fish on a certain area that would not let you mess up with its scales.

One tip here is to find a place near the garbage bin because, in that case, you could easily clean up any mess in an instant. One best option for you is placing it in newspapers or any paper which could handle its messy condition.

Scrape Off The Scales

In scraping off the scales, you must brace yourself because it could somehow be tricky. That is why the first thing you should do is hold the fish while its tail is in your hand with weaker dominance.

It is a must for you to do so for the fish not to slip off at the moment you begin with scraping off its scales.

If you feel so uncomfortable using your bare hands, you can use a pair of gloves, preferably disposable ones, and for your safety measures since usually the scales and fins of a fish can cause you wounds and cuts.

Now, if you get to hold on its tail on your weaker hand, you should use your stronger hand to remove the scales using the bluntly edged knife. Specifically, it would be best if you had it under a 45-degree angle for the best results.

Scraping off the scales of the fish is indeed the most challenging step to do in the actual scaling of a fish.

You must take into consideration a lot of things such as the type of knife to use, the accurate angle to which you must hold your knife, the pressure you need to put in, and of course, the cleaning you will do for such step is a messy thing to do, too.

After doing the processes mentioned above, you get to rinse off it again using cold water. It is only time for you to stop having your cold water runoff if there are no more scales seen on the fish.

Make Use Of Other Scaling Techniques

This last step is the actual cooking process already. You need to get rid of its skin before you cook it. So, you should then cut the skin using a knife. In this process, you should try your best not to cut off the fish itself because if it happens so, you will only be left with nothing.

But then, it is said that you could make use of other scaling techniques as well. That is why in this last step, you can also opt for a fish scaler rather than using an ordinary knife. This scaler is a tool designed specifically to scale a fish, as the term itself suggests.

 Conclusion

In scaling a fish, you must undergo three essential steps. These steps might be quite difficult for you to handle, especially if you are a first-timer. But as a lot of people say, practice makes perfect.

So, if you happen to practice scaling a fish, eventually, one day, it would just be a piece of cake for you to begin with.

Getting a Fishbone Stuck In Your Intestines Is Possible: Here Is Why

FishBone In Your Intestines

Nobody would be willing to swallow a fishbone, but unfortunately, it does happen because small, sharp fish bones are easy to miss.

Fishbones can cause injury, and it is natural for a person who accidentally swallows one to seek medical attention. But before you panic, here is my research about what will happen when you eat a fishbone.

Can a fishbone get stuck in your intestines? Yes, but there is only a 1% possibility for this rare case. When a fish bone gets stuck in your intestines, you will feel tenderness and pain in your abdomen. If this is your case, seek medical help immediately.

Know the things you should do when you swallow a fishbone below. But before that, you might want to learn about the incident when a man accidentally swallowed a yellowtail amberjack’s fishbone.

Spoiler alert! Yellowtail Amberjack is a big fish.

A Man Accidentally Swallowed A Fish Bone

A fishbone may get stuck in your intestines. There once was an incident when a man accidentally swallowed a small fishbone, not only getting stuck in his intestine but tore a hole in it.

At the time of the incident, the man was a 73-year-old living in Japan. After suddenly feeling severe pain in the lower part of his abdomen, he was brought to the emergency room.

While the man is undergoing the physical exam, he has a slight fever and tenderness across his lower abdomen. The man said that the day before he felt the pain, he had eaten a yellowtail fish.

Yellowtail Amberjack is popular in Japanese cuisine. It is a large fish that is usually prepared as steamed, grilled, and many more.

The CT scan result of the man’s abdomen shows that “a linear, high-density body” punctured his small intestine. To put it simply, there is an object that looked like a small bone was stuck in his intestine.

The doctors found a 2cm long fishbone pierced straight through his small intestine during the surgery. Doctors have to remove part of his small intestine to treat the issue.

The doctors also gave him antibiotics to avoid any possible infections due to having a hole in the bowel.

Kochi Medical School doctors in Nankoku, Japan, say that after the treatment, the man recovered well, and after eight days, he left the hospital.

The Risk Of Swallowing Fish Bone

As mentioned earlier, no one wants to swallow a fishbone, but it happens. It is also rare that an eaten foreign body causes a tear in the intestine.

According to a paper published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2014, there are less than 1% of the torn intestine due to ingested foreign bodies.

Fishbones might also have an elongated shape and sharp end, but they usually pass through the gastrointestinal tract without causing such tears.

The Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging published a paper in 2011 saying that the most common problem associated with ingested fishbone is that they get stuck in the throat.

Meanwhile, people wearing dentures are more likely to swallow fish bones. The reason is that they may experience difficulty feeling the bones in their mouth while having a meal.

Children, individuals who are intoxicated while eating fish, and adults also have a higher risk of swallowing fish bones.

If you want to lower the risk of swallowing fish bones, buy fillets. Fillets have fewer bones to no fish bones at all. Eating slowly and taking small bites also helps to reduce the risk of this frightening incident.

What To Do If You Swallow A Fish Bone?

Here are the things you should do when you accidentally swallow a fishbone:

Relax, Don’t Panic

Once you accidentally swallowed a fishbone, calm yourself. You don’t have to see a doctor immediately. First, feel if the fishbone is not scratching your throat on the way down.

If so, you won’t encounter any further problems. The fishbone will naturally be removed from the body through digestion.

When Feeling Pain

If there is a pain in your throat, it might indicate that you were scratched. It is different when a fishbone is stuck in your throat because you will feel fullness at the base of your neck when it does.

Some people accidentally swallow fishbone that scratches the back of their throat. The fishbone might not get stuck in their throat, but they confuse the pain left by the scratch as fishbone.

For this reason, they desperately try to get something out of their throats.

When a fishbone scratches the throat, it leaves a sensation that something is stuck in there. But the truth is that there is nothing in there.

After a few days, the affected area will heal, and they will feel fine and better.

When To See A Doctor

When the pain in your throat lingers, the scratch might be infected. The fishbone scratches the uvula in rare cases, the flesh hanging above the throat, getting it infected.

Antibiotics are capable of treating the infection in your throat, resolving the pain.

Seek immediate medical attention when there is tenderness on your neck’s base, specifically at the top of your sternum.

If you can’t get water and food to stay down, there is also a possibility that a fishbone gets lodged in your throat. In this case, you will need a gastroenterologist’s help to remove the fishbone, causing the blockage.

Conclusion

To summarize, there might be a rare possibility of fishbone getting stuck in the intestine, but it is still possible.

So, make sure to eat slowly and supervise your children when eating fish. It is also best if you don’t eat fish if you are intoxicated.

Please note the tips I have mentioned above to be ready in unfortunate events like swallowing a small fishbone. Accidentally swallowing a fishbone is frightening, yet, it is best to stay calm when it happens. This way, you can take the best actions.

Eating Fish As A Vegan: But Getting Sick Might Be The Result

Eating Fish As A Vegan: But Getting Sick Might Be The Result

Vegan Fish Eater

Veganism has been getting increasingly popular lately, and many people are getting into this kind of lifestyle.

Many celebrities also became vegan in the past years, and due to their influence, the massive demand for vegan products has appeared. Many are still curious about what this eating pattern is and what a vegan can eat and cannot.

Will a vegan, get sick if they eat fish? This is not true, although there are sporadic cases that some people experience stomach issues after eating fish. It does not have research behind it, and it was more of your stomach adjusting.

This article will help me understand more about veganism and what vegans eat. It also discusses people’s experiences when they suddenly eat non-vegan food.

The Definition Of Veganism

Veganism was founded way back in 1944 by a small group of vegetarians who broke free from the Leicester Vegetarian Society in the United Kingdom.

They lately formed the Vegan Society, meaning they chose not to consume dairy, eggs, or other animal-origin products.

This is in addition to refraining from meat as they do in a vegetarian lifestyle.

The term vegan was chosen by combining the first and last letters of vegetarian. Veganism is considered a way of living that attempts to exclude all animal products and the exploitation and cruelty behind it or any other purpose.

Why Do People Go Vegan?

There are many reasons people go vegan. Sometimes, it’s a personal life choice to be healthy, but mainly vegans choose to avoid animal products.

Many vegans have their perception of veganism, and this can vary for the following:

Ethics

The firm belief of ethical vegans is that all creatures have the right to live and have their freedom.

As a result, they oppose ending a conscious animal life to consume its flesh, drinking its milk, or even wearing its skin.

They are also opposed to the psychological and physical stress that animals undergo due to modern farming techniques.

Health

There are a few people who choose veganisms for its potential health benefits. For instance, plant-based diets can help reduce the risk of heart failure, type2 diabetes, cancer, and premature death.

They also believed that lowering your intake of animal products can reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or even dying from cancer or heart disease.

Some people also choose veganism to avoid side effects linked to the antibiotics and hormones used in modern farming and agriculture. Some studies link vegan diets to lower body weight and body mass index.

This is probably good for those looking for some diets to lose weight.

Environment

People have tried veganism because they choose to avoid animal products, including the environmental impact on animal agriculture.

According to a 2010 United Nations report, it is argued that these products generally require more resources and can cause higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to plant-based options.

For example, animal agriculture contributes at least 65% of global nitrous oxide emissions, 30 up to 40% methane emissions, and at least 9% carbon dioxide emissions.

These chemicals are the three principal greenhouse gasses involved in climate change.

Foods That Vegans Eat

As you know by now, avoiding animal products does not consign you to veggies and tofu alone. Many everyday dishes are ready for you if you plan to try the vegan lifestyle, and they can be pretty much adjusted easily.

For instance, you can try bean burritos, veggie burgers, tomato pizza, smoothies, nachos with some salsa and guacamole, hummus wraps, sandwiches, and some pasta dishes.

Meat-based entrees are generally swapped meals containing beans, lentils, tofu, seitan, tempeh, nuts, and sometimes seeds.

There is also an ever-growing selection of ready-made vegan products like vegan meats, fortified plant milk, vegan cheese, and desserts. However, there are highly processed products, so you might need to reconsider them.

Does Fish Make Vegetarians Ill?

Eating fish after abstaining for many years can have little effect on many vegans when it comes to fish. But it is known to cause some mental and physical reactions.

Most of the time, when a vegan or a vegetarian starts eating fish after a long period of abstaining, what happens is nothing.

Some people may feel they have a hard time digesting fish if they are not used to it. But the fact of the matter is there is no scientific evidence for this, although there could be a psychological element driving the belief.

Some people become anxious or panic when they realize what they are eating, which keeps them from functioning correctly.

Distress could be one of the causes of this specific response, and it is also possible that some vegans can develop food sensitivity to fish.

As a result, they will have symptoms like headaches, bloating, gassiness, heartburn, or just plain irritability.

While food sensitivities are vague and poorly misunderstood, it is believed to result from the wide variation in people’s digestive systems. Eating fish might be causing them a trigger to have inflammation or antibodies to other people.

For most people, fish can be a part of a healthy diet, and it is essential to know that a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is the best for health purposes.

This can be with or without animal products, as it can be a matter of personal preference. This means that no one dietary solution can work for everyone.

Many experts recommend mainly eating plants rich in antioxidants and doing so gradually as much as possible.

Conclusion

Vegans are individuals who avoid animal products for many reasons, and instead of eating them, they choose to eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based products.

Fish can’t make you ill if you accidentally swallow it or try something, as there is no scientific evidence for it. It might be because your stomach is adjusting to fish as it hasn’t been getting this kind of food in a while.

Eating Live Fish Might Not Be Normal: But It Might Not Be Safe Either

Eating Live Fish Might Not Be Normal: But It Might Not Be Safe Either

Eating Live Fish

Eating live seafood is common in many countries, but most focus on shellfish instead of fish. On the other hand, fish are consumed raw in countries like Japan because of uncooked fish’s unique taste and texture.

I conducted this research to help those people who are not accustomed to eating raw fish understand its risk.

Is it safe to eat live fish? No, as raw fish are susceptible to bacterial and parasitic infections like Salmonella, tapeworms, and roundworms. Nevertheless, people still eat raw fish by reducing health risks through proper food handling and preparation.

I will discuss the health risk of eating live or raw fish in this article, along with the possible ways to reduce them.

Eating Raw Fish: Is It Safe?

People prefer cooking fish before consuming it for several practical reasons. Cooking helps to kill parasites and bacteria that reside in fish meat.

When you eat raw fish, these foreign bodies that are hardly visible can cause disease.

Despite that, some people still eat raw fish because they love its unique taste and texture. Countries like Japan patronize raw dishes like the popular sashimi and sushi.

Types Of Raw Fish Dishes

The consumption of raw fish dishes is becoming more and more popular. Here are some of the most recognized raw fish dishes served in many restaurants today:

Sushi – This popular Japanese dish includes cooked, vinegared rice filled with various other ingredients such as raw fish.

Sashimi – It is another dish popular in Japan that includes finely sliced raw fish or meat.

Poke – In Hawaii, this traditional raw fish dish is served with chunks of seasoned raw fish and mixed with vegetables.

Koi pla – If you want to taste a raw Southeast Asian dish, try Koi pla. It includes finely chopped raw fish combined with lime juice and different other ingredients such as garlic, fish sauce, chilis, vegetables, and herbs.

Soused herring – This popular dish is characterized as marinated raw herring served in the Netherlands.

Ceviche – In Latin America, this raw fish dish is very popular. It is characterized as a lightly marinated seafood that usually includes raw fish cured in lime or lemon juice.

Gravlax – Another traditional food made up of raw salmon cured in salt, sugar, and dill. Usually, it is eaten with mustard sauce.

Carpaccio – This dish is typical in Italy. It is originally made of finely sliced or pounded raw beef, but it can also include raw fish.

Parasitic Infections From Raw Fish

In humans, parasitic infections are a significant health concern, especially in many tropical countries. Usually, parasitic infections are transmitted by consuming improperly cooked food, infected drinking water, and raw fish.

Listed below are some of the primary parasitic diseases transmitted to humans by eating undercooked or raw fish.

Tapeworms

When people eat undercooked or raw fish, there is a possibility of tapeworm transmission. Tapeworms are the largest parasite that can infect humans, and these parasites can grow up to 49 feet.

According to scientists, up to 20 million people are possibly infected by this parasite worldwide. When tapeworms infect a person, some of the symptoms it causes include stomach discomfort, fatigue, constipation, or diarrhea.

Liver Flukes

This parasite is associated with parasitic flatworms that cause a disease called opisthorchiasis. According to research, around 17 million people worldwide are infected by this disease, mainly in Southeast Asia.

When liver flukes mature, they reside in the livers of the infected, where they consume blood. Among the alarming health issues they can cause are bile duct infection, enlargement of the liver, liver cancer, gallbladder inflammation, and gallstones.

Roundworms

This type of parasite can cause a disease called anisakiasis, and they reside in live or raw marine fish such as salmon. Countries that frequently eat lightly pickled or raw fish have the highest roundworm infection rate, including Japan, Scandinavia, South America, and the Netherlands.

Roundworms are pretty different from many other fish-borne parasites as they can’t live in the human body for too long. However, their presence in the body can cause severe immune reactions like stomach pain, inflammation, and vomiting.

Bacterial Infections

Among the reasons why health experts highly recommend cooking fish is because of food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Bacteria reside in fish meat, and the most potentially harmful are Vibrio, Listeria, Salmonella, and Clostridium. A US study found around 10% of raw imported seafood and 3% of the domestic raw seafood contains Salmonella.

How To Minimize The Health Risks Of Raw Fish

For those people who love eating raw fish, you can still eat your sashimi and sushi. Some ways can help to lessen the risk of bacterial and parasitic infections when eating raw fish.

  • Only eat frozen raw fish – Aside from cooking, another way to kill parasites is to freeze fish for a week at -4°F or 15 hours at -31°F. Not all bacteria die after freezing, but they stop growing, and they reduce in number.

  • Buy refrigerated fish – If you plan to buy raw fish, choose those displayed under a thick bed of ice or refrigerated.

  • Don’t leave fish out for too long – Leaving fish out of the refrigerator for more than one or two hours is not safe. At room temperature, bacteria multiply quickly.

  • Inspect your fish – Before eating raw fish, checking the fish before putting it inside your mouth. However, it might not be enough since many parasites are hardly visible to the eyes.

  • Buy from reputable suppliers – Another way to ensure safe raw fish is to buy your fish from trusted fish suppliers and restaurants. Guarantee that they have stored and handled the fish properly before selling them.

  • Clean your kitchen and utensils – The preparation of the raw fish also contributes to contamination. Kitchen utensils and surfaces should be adequately cleaned to avoid cross-contamination.

  • Make sure it smells fresh – Never eat raw fish that smells sour or overly fishy.

  • Wash your hands – Wash your hands properly before and after handling raw fish to avoid food contamination.

Also, note that marinating, cold-smoking, or bringing fish can reduce bacteria and parasites in the fish, but these techniques can’t 100% prevent disease.

Conclusion

Eating raw fish has been a custom for many countries. But since the consumption of barely cooked or completely raw fish is associated with parasitic and bacterial infections, health experts recommend cooking them.

On the other hand, you can reduce the risk of these health concerns with proper handling and best practices.

If you love eating raw fish, follow the tips I have mentioned earlier to enjoy your favorite raw fish dishes at home or in restaurants with low health risks.

This Is What You Call A Vegan Who Eats Fish: Bet You Haven’t Heard Of This

This Is What You Call A Vegan Who Eats Fish: Bet You Haven’t Heard Of This

Vegans Who Eats Fish

The vegan community has gained popularity, especially since influential people share their positive feedback about eating only plant-based foods.

Meanwhile, other vegans are starting to eat fish, and many are curious about calling them.

What do you call a vegan who eats fish? They are called pescatarians. One that is into a pescatarian diet eats fish and other seafood while following a vegan diet.

Learn more about the pescatarian diet below, what they eat, and the benefits of being on such a diet.

What Is A Pescatarian?

A pescatarian is characterized as a person who doesn’t consume meat but eats fish. In year 1990s, the term pescatarian or pescetarian was coined, a combination of the Italian word “peace,” meaning fish, and “vegetarian.”

According to scientific literature, this kind of diet is usually described as “pesco-vegetarian,” associated with the spectrum of vegetarianism. This diet covers plant-based food like nuts, whole grains, produce, legumes, healthy fats, and seafood play an essential role as the primary protein source.

Unlike vegans, pescatarians also eat eggs, milk, and other dairy product. Vegetarian diets widely vary, and so is the pescatarian diet. So, it is not surprising to learn that pescatarians eat a meat-free diet that involves many processed starches, fish sticks, and junk food than healthier options based on whole foods.

Are Pescatarians Considered Vegetarian?

The answer is no. Vegans are not pescatarians, and pescatarians are not vegans. Most people lump pescatarians to vegans because both don’t eat meat and consume plant-based food. The difference, though, is that pescatarians eat seafood and dairy products.

What Do Pescatarians Eat?

A pescatarian diet primarily involves a vegetarian diet with the addition of seafood.

Pescatarians Do Eat

  • Whole grains and grain products
  • Dairy food like milk, yogurt, and cheese
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Legumes and their products, like beans, tofu, lentils, and hummus
  • Eggs
  • Nuts and nut butter, seeds, and peanuts.
  • Fruits
  • Seeds, such as hemp, flaxseeds, chia
  • Vegetables

Pescatarians Don’t Eat

  • Beef
  • Wild game
  • Turkey
  • Lamb
  • Chicken
  • Pork

Health Benefits Of Pescetarian Diet

There are wide-ranging benefits to being on a pescatarian diet. These benefits include a lower risk of chronic diseases, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

A study also shows that women who follow a pescatarian diet gain 2.5 fewer pounds yearly than women who eat meat. Aside from that, people who switched to a more plant-based diet gained the least amount of weight. It means that consuming less animal-based food is healthier.

Another study shows that pescatarians are less likely to develop diabetes at about 4.8% than omnivores at 7.6%. One extensive research also shows that people who include less meat in their diet rarely eat meat had a 22% lower risk of developing heart disease than those who eat meat regularly.

Conclusion

Based on research, joining the pescatarian bandwagon is a healthy option, and it also offers a more flexible choice of nutritional sources than a standard vegan diet.

Use This Use Instead of Gravel in Your Fish Tank

Use This Use Instead of Gravel in Your Fish Tank

Gravel in My Fish Tank

Gravel substrate is one of the most necessary things to put in a freshwater aquarium. When the aquarium environment looks like the fishes’ natural habitat, they can quickly adapt.

You might consider aquascaping your aquarium, which could benefit you and the fish. Aside from gravel, you have other alternatives to keep the aquarium looking natural and beautiful.

What can I use instead of gravel in my fish tank? As a substitute for gravel substrate, you can use sand substrate, pool filter sand, or black diamond blasting sand.

In this article, you will learn some truths about gravel alternatives. The importance of using these alternatives will be discussed, too.

Great Alternatives for Gravel Substrate

Gravel is an excellent choice for freshwater aquariums because it prevents the build-up of amoebas that could kill the fish. However, gravel substrate is too heavy for you to pull off the aquarium when cleaning.

To make your life easier, here are some great alternatives that you can use.

Sand Substrate

The sand substrate has many things in common with gravel substrate because both don’t allow water to flow.

If you consider using the sand substrate, fishes can quickly get comfortable with it, as it looks like riverbeds, which is the natural habitat for most fishes. Additionally, it will save you more time because it doesn’t need to be frequently changed.

Certain fishes have strong preferences regarding sand or gravel. One of the best examples is cichlids, which need sand substrate because sand helps them digest their food.

Meanwhile, goldfish might have a problem dwelling with sand substrate because they might suffer intestinal blockage once they intake the sand.

Pool Filter Sand

Pool filter sand might be one of the easiest to maintain options in aquariums and pools, thus making it popular. Using pool filter sand will be straightforward for the plants to grow because of its finer quality than gravel substrate.

However, the disadvantage of using pool filter sand is that it clumps together. Ensure that the pool filter sand doesn’t have any special additives to produce too many chemicals in the water.

Most of the time, pool filter sand is not heavily planted because some plants might have networks of roots.

These plants need to be maintained or regularly replanted. Unfortunately, pool filter sand has no valuable minerals that the plants could use to thrive.

Black Diamond Blasting Sand

Another popular option is black diamond blasting sand because it looks exquisite under aquatic plants. This sand doesn’t contain any harmful substances that could potentially kill the fish when it comes to safety.

Black diamond blasting sand is as complex and sharp as other sands. Therefore, it’s safe for fish tank use. As for the advantage, this type of sand is economical because it usually costs $10.00 for 50 pounds.

Even for bottom-dwellers and sensitive-belly fishes, the sand is safe. Many fish aquarium owners have never encountered the fish getting into trouble while swimming around the blasting sand.

Minerals and Shells

Many fish owners use creative alternatives to gravel, such as minerals and shells. Examples are shell grit, crushed coral sand, shells, limestone, and aragonite substrate.

Minerals and shell substrates help increase the water’s hardness and pH level.

They also produce a massive amount of calcium carbonate, where saltwater fishes live more comfortably. Calcium carbonate is also well-suited to soft water to house freshwater fishes.

Other Substrates That You Can Add to an Aquarium

Apart from sand and other substrate-related things that you can put in the aquarium, you can add the following to make your aquarium attractive and safe for fishes:

Natural Barriers

The aquarium should have a primitive connection to the fish. Natural barriers like stones and coral reefs are two of the best additions to an aquarium. They are physically attractive in humans’ eyes and serve as an excellent refuge for the fishes.

Natural barriers are meant to make the fish feel comfortable to play, eat, hide, or sleep freely. Fishes are like humans who seek connections to the place where they’re dwelling.

Plants

This is perhaps one of the factors determining whether fishes can live longer than their usual lifespan. Plants can improve water quality and help good bacteria gather to enhance water nutrients.

The fishes will feed on these nutrients, which will give them a prolonged life.

Simultaneously, water plants can produce oxygen, which is beneficial in stabilizing pH and improving the fishes’ health. Fishes would then release carbon dioxide, which becomes a nutrient for plants.

Plants can be used in many ways, such as improving the water’s chemical filtration and algae reduction.

Chemical filtration and algae reduction are two of the most challenging processes to maintain in an aquarium, and having plenty of plants can help every aquarium owner minimize their jobs.

Peat (Decomposed Plants)

Peat is usually found in blackwater river systems because they are well-fitted for bottom line fish. At the same time, peat can have a lot of beneficial functions for fish. It softens the water through an ion exchanger.

Peat can contain beneficial plants and fishes during this process while preventing algae and other harmful microorganisms.

Importance of Using Substrate in the Aquarium

Substrates are critical as they increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the aquarium. At the same time, they contain substances that could positively affect the water’s chemical content and boost the fishes’ health.

Here are some of the essential features of substrates in the aquarium:

They Create a Natural Environment for the Fishes

Substrates are essential in every aquarium because they make the fishes comfortable and cozy, as though they are natural.

When fishes feel well-protected in a particular environment, they can regain their energy and maximize their lifespan.

They Prevent the Growth of Amoebas and Other Negative Bacteria

Substrates play a massive part in the biological filtration system because beneficial bacteria gather. These particles are often employed in the surface area of the water.

At the same time, plants are rooted to reduce algae’s negative effects in the aquarium. When plants are planted in the substrate, they can become a source of other minerals, such as iron.

When harmful bacteria get into the water, the fish will eventually die. You’ll also have a hard time cleaning the aquarium. Of course, no fish aquarium owner wants these things to happen to their pets.

They Allow Fishes to Breed

Substrates are important for egg-scattering species because fish can settle their eggs in the substrate to ensure well-protected. They allow their eggs to fall into the substrate’s gaps, where other fishes cannot eat them.

However, some aquarium owners clear up the tank and use no substrate at all to ensure that all eggs are safe and so that they can monitor fish excrement.

They Become a Home for Plants

It’s a good idea to have live plants in the aquarium to maintain the natural cycle of air under the water. This will also keep the plants and fish alive for a very long time.

Laterite and vermiculite are two of the best-known substrates for aquariums because they quickly release nutrients. To effectively install live plants, they should have substantial and sturdy root systems in the substrate.

They Are Appealing to the Eyes

As a fish aquarium owner, you probably keep an aquarium in part to add more beauty to your home. You may not see those microscopic particles, yet you can appreciate the featured design in the aquarium.

When you have a gravel substrate, it could hide waste materials, such as the fishes’ waste, until you visibly see them when you clean the tank.

Additionally, substrate shows off what you desire to see: the beauty of the water and the fish. The fishes will stand out and behave better if you install colorful substrates.

Conclusion

Many fish owners prefer to keep their aquariums attractive and natural-looking. Others use alternative substrates that might have a more significant benefit for both fishes and the aquarium.

To keep everything in place, it’s best to check with a local fish expert or someone from the internet to minimize your load in taking care of your fish. In general, gravel and other substrates are beneficial to fishes and the aquarium environment.

Bass See These Colors: So Make Sure Your Lures Are The Right Ones

Bass See These Colors: So Make Sure Your Lures Are The Right Ones

Bass Ses These Colors

Most beginners will wonder what lure color is the most productive in catching bass. If you ask a veteran angler, they would likely recommend green baits to you. But to make sure that you are buying the right thing, start by learning which color is the most visible for bass.

What colors does bass see? According to Illinois and New York universities, largemouth bass can only see green and red colors. Their eyes have two different cone cells that are sensitive to green and respond to red.

Learning what particular colors are visible for bass will allow you to determine the best lure color to use when fishing.

It will surprise you that most lures sold in the market are more attractive to anglers’ eyes than the fish they are trying to catch. Fish, including bass, can only see a limited range of colors, unlike humans.

Bass Can See Two Colors

The eyes of bass can also distinguish colors, but not as many as humans can see. The vision of these fish is strongest in colors such as medium red to green.

On the other hand, it rapidly fails to recognize colors into blue, purple, and far-red hues. It only indicates that color is meaningful to bass in most cases.

If you wonder why lures come in different colors, it’s because fish, including bass, have their favorites. In the case of largemouth bass, it is red and green. It is why there is no point in combining shades of blue to the back of crankbait lures.

The only reason manufacturers design their lures with a splash of mid-range colors that bass discrimination the most along with colors they recognize is so bass won’t generalize their experience with the same bait color.

For example, bass subjected to heavy pressure on dark purple lures might avoid all dark purple lures.

On the other hand, a bass that sees a pumpkinseed worm with a splash of red has a higher possibility to bite on the bait because it will think that it is safe to attack.

Some colors also act as visual signals to the bass. One theory suggests that some color patterns can excite bass.

For example, placing a splash of red on a crankbait’s throat indicates blood, which the bass will perceive as a wounded, easy meal.

Meanwhile, it is also possible that the red color in a lure can indicate a red flag for bass. It might instinctively drive bass crazy, but, as of this writing, there is no science proving this theory yet.

Conclusion

To conclude, color is the most crucial factor when choosing a lure, and bass can only distinguish between medium red to green. Given this fact, there is no point in using baits far from these two colors.

But, you don’t have to forget your favorite lures with the combination of blue or purple colors because these lures can also be effective baits in some cases.

The 9 Top Places Largemouth Bass Hang Out: Plus Seasons

The 9 Top Places Largemouth Bass Hang Out: Plus Seasons

Where Do Largemouth Bass Hang Out?

Some many small ponds and lakes can be fished with some level of success by many persistent anglers. This is regardless if they have enough research or scouting even before the trip happens.

But when you want to fish that big lake known to be home to different kinds of fish, you might want to do more research about it.

Where does largemouth bass hang out? Normally, you can find largemouth bass hiding between rocks, among different water vegetation, or under some roots and limbs of sunken trees. Bass prefers quiet, calm, and warm water, but they are adaptive to other circumstances.

In here, you will find more information on where largemouth bass normally hang out on their day to day basis. It is also important to know the climate and season you are planning to fish them.

Top Largemouth Bass Hangouts

To catch these big creatures, you need to know where they hang out. The solution is to learn their lairs and invade them with proper lures. Knowing their location helps catch them, and finding the right tactic to do so is essential.

Make sure to commit each lair to memory and keep them in mind during your next fishing trip.

Once you’re able to learn the combination of lures and tactics for capturing them, you can catch more big bass in one season than most anglers catch in their lifetime.

If you have a GPS display that gives you information to return to the same spot, that will be a great advantage. But if not, do not fret as you can get a topographical map from your county engineer to show the lake depts and features.

Here are some of the top hangouts where you can find your trophy largemouth bass:

Shore Brush And Bushes

These dense covers are the ideal seclusions for many small aquatic critters, which shad and minnows feed on. Most big basses know this, and they usually stalk these locations whenever they are hungry and looking for food.

Here is one place where accurate casting can really be pulled off. This is because bigger bass does not need to chase lures too far for a quick strike. Make sure to choose lures that are rigged weedless so you can easily drop them in the middle of a snaggy cover.

Stumps And Standing Timber

If you are searching for some big bass, they normally hide in these covers’ shadows and normally wait to ambush their prey. In much calm water, work minnow-like surface lures slowly and with intermittent fast twitches.

This is the kind of behavior they exhibit that somehow looks like they are scared and trying to escape. You should try to use buzz baits and some chugger types, and be sure to tempt them with some 12-inch monster worms.

Old Creek Channels And Road Beds

Another place to look at is some old creek channels and roadbeds. You will see where old roads disappear and then it turns into a lake and when you check the topo map, it will show you some creek channels.

You can find some fish bottom-nudging lures, deep-running crankbaits, or some weedless works. These are some of the favorites that most bass hanging out here will catch on.

Stickups

Stickups are native terms for weed tips, top of a submerged brush, or some remains of dead trees. Stickups are anything that stands out above the water’s surface, and if you find it, you will most likely see some bass lurking down there.

To capture them, you can cast a plastic worm beyond any stickup and let it settle to the bottom. You can then easily retrieve it at lesser counts to cover all the levels and the perimeter around the stickup.

Windy Shores

It might not be fun when you’re an angler trying to fight the wind, but breezes like this can blow insects and algae into the body of water. As a result, small fish will come to feed, and big bass will feed on them.

So find some windy shores, and you will expect to get your largemouth bass. Try to use lures that resemble a small heavy spoon, weighted tail spinners, and some blade lures.

Just try to keep moving and offer a wide variety of lures and make sure to work on them slowly but speedily and in spurts.

Outside Creek Bends

As you probably know, once the current flows, the food will follow, which is common knowledge for bass. The current breaks off point and heads for a bank; you should check out the outside bend.

This is because the current is so strong, and it will undercut the bank, and these undercuts can offer some shade and rest from the outer pressure.

These spots are ambush spots to nab different passing morsels. If you want to catch in this area, make sure to use big-lipped crankbaits that the current will drive deep and close to the undercuts. 

Below Dams

If you really are out of options, you can look for some payoff spot commonly known as the slot. A detectable line is formed between a fast-moving downstream current, and the eddy water is actually slowly back towards some dam.

You use some deep-running lures like a slab spoon, big-lipped crankbaits, and some heavy spinner lures outside this so-called slot.

Lily Pad Concentrations

Most big bass usually loves to ln the shade provided by some leaf masses. Try to look for them in some lily pad concentrations, and don’t forget to give them some smorgasbord of lures.

This includes some chuggers and spinners on top, then crankbaits retrieved on the outer perimeters, and some Texas rigged worms crawled over the weedy roof.

Largemouth Bass By The Calendar

When it comes to fishing some largemouth bass, it can be quite challenging because they are constantly moving, and you don’t know where they will go next.

This depends on the season you are currently on, so different water temperatures dictate largemouth bass movement.

The first step to becoming a better bass fisherman is understanding how these factors drive all bass migrations. Having this kind of knowledge, you will be able to search for them and target them.

Spring

During early spring, bass will start to move from deeper areas where they spend the whole winter toward rapidly warming shallow waters.

Although, the early spring weather can be quite unpredictable, and the water temperature in shallow waters can fluctuate depending on the day. As a result, bass will move back and forth between shallow and deep waters.

Summer

Summer is typically not the right time to fish largemouth bass. This is because this is when longer days, hotter temperatures, and direct sunlight can send bass from the shoreline to the deep end.

If you are still planning to fish during this time, it is recommended to fish early in the morning, the last 2 hours of daylight, nighttime, or during cloudy days.

While the productive depths during this time of the year is mainly dependent on the late, some experts recommended it to be at least 6 to 12 feet.

The reason is that during the height of the summer, many basses move down as deep as 15 to 20 feet, especially if it is clear water.

Fall

As the water starts to cool during fall, bass move shallower to feed and pack on winter preparation weight. If the water temperature drops to 55 degrees, the bite can actually turn on, and another bonus is that some anglers are still fishing at this time of the year.

If you are planning to fish, make sure to dress properly, and you will enjoy your time while you catch many basses during this time. Many fish are caught, and even larger quantities as many bass quill pieces are up in the prime areas.

Early in the fall, before the lake starts to turn over, bass will move back to the same shallow areas where they were feeding before the spawn session.

A small or medium-size spinnerbait and a square-0billed crankbait will do the job for it. Plus points once again wi

Winter

Winter is probably not the time to fish largemouth bass as most of them will be hiding or hibernating in their lair. When the water temperature falls into the low of 40 up to 30, you will get a hard time capturing some bass.

Their metabolism slows down, and they do not need to feed as much as they used to. Many basses will go straight to the bottom in cover or suspend over points and humps.

Bass and bass fishing remains unpredictable, but many fisherman and anglers who know the most about them can still fish them with success.

They also have the proper knowledge about where to find them and which season is best to capture them through experience.

Conclusion

It can be hard to catch bass until you have the proper experience, and therefore the procedure for locating where they live, feed, relax can be considered for successful catching.

This will go all the way back to the old saying that you should always think like the fish, and you will be able to understand their common behavior and be more successful in catching them.

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