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The Big Deal About Bass
By Russell A. Graves
In mythology, it is said that Helen of Troy was the face that launched 1,000 ships. In reality, however, it is the face of the largemouth that’s launched millions of bass boats.
There’s no mistaking it: largemouth bass are the nation’s most popular game fish. At the heart of a multi-billion dollar freshwater fishing industry, largemouth bass are the ultimate prize. More dollars are spent on managing the fish, chasing the fish, and dreaming about the fish than any other species in the United States. Second place isn’t even close.
According to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, over 160 million days are spent bass fishing each year. Crappie (a distant, second place rival) accounts for about 95 million fishing days. That intense interest in a game species puts the largemouth on par with other game animals.
“In Texas, the appeal of largemouth bass to freshwater anglers is what the white-tailed deer is to our hunters,” says Dr. Billy Higginbotham, Professor and Extension Wildlife & Fisheries Specialist for Texas Agrilife. “In our private waters, the largemouth bass is the apex predator sitting atop the aquatic food chain. Its appeal is evident to many anglers whether they fish with heavy tackle, ultralights or flyfishing gear, from the bank, wade fishing or via kayak or boat.”
What’s the fuss?
“Largemouth bass are a big deal south of the Mason-Dixon Line because they are considered the ‘bully of the waterways,’” says Bob Lusk, renowned fish biologist and private water consultant from Whitesboro, Texas. “They are a big deal because, where they thrive, they are usually the top end predator. Anglers love to do battle with a largemouth bass because they know when they tie into one, there will be a fight. It will be a fight between a man and a beast, in the beast’s environment.”
Each cast thrown is one that’s shrouded in a bit of mystery. When a lure plunks in the water, it may be just the cast that brings a big one from the deep. Until you get it landed, you’re really not sure how big it is.
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To read more pick up a copy of the May 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
One of my professors out at Texas Tech University always told us that we aren’t just raising cattle, we’re raising grass, because without grass there is no cattle business. The same applies to most livestock species and crops we seek to raise- without good land management, no good yield can grow.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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