| Despite its tremendous popularity today, the story of | | | | Technology was largely responsible as new materials |
| bass fishing is not a particularly old one to the | | | | made possible new types of fishing line, and fishing |
| surprise of many. It is a sport associated with the | | | | rods and reels. The popularity of the flat bottomed |
| common man and the increase in leisure time has | | | | Jon boat led to the development of a very unique |
| spurred its rise. | | | | type of fishing boat with a relatively flat bottom and |
| Bass are actually members of the Sun Fish family. | | | | a powerful engine. The new boat style was called a |
| The term bass is used for several species including | | | | bass boat because it was ideal for pursuing this fish in |
| largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Kentucky or | | | | it new habitats. |
| spotted bass, and several other less common types. | | | | Another spur to the growth of bass fishing was the |
| They are currently the second most common target | | | | tournament. Bass tournaments began modestly, but |
| of fisherman in the United States. The tale of bass | | | | soon a professional fishing circuit developed and such |
| fishing begins in fairly recent times. The decline in | | | | events as the Bass Masters Classic began to attract |
| trout populations due to pollution and rising water | | | | a dedicated following. The media helped as outdoors |
| temperatures in the Eastern rivers close to large | | | | shows on television spread the techniques and |
| populations centers led to a search for a replacement | | | | captured the thrill of bass fishing. From the very |
| species that would better adapt to these conditions. | | | | beginning, there was a strong push to use "catch and |
| The bass proved to be a much hardier species and | | | | release" fishing. Tournaments penalized fisherman for |
| thrived in the trout's former habitat. At the beginning | | | | dead fish, and all fish were carefully returned to the |
| of the 20th Century, there was a wide spread | | | | water. Bass fishing was something done mostly for |
| stocking program as bass were grown in fisheries | | | | sport as opposed to putting fish in the frying pan. |
| and introduced into rivers and lakes. The practice of | | | | The catch and release mentality has led to an |
| stocking continued westward and bass especially | | | | increase in bass populations in many impoundments. |
| seem to thrive in the warm waters of the south. | | | | This has come despite tremendous fishing pressure. |
| Whereas fly fishing was often seen as the choice of | | | | The increase is not totally a good thing as |
| the "Gentleman Angler", bass fishing was, from the | | | | overpopulation has led to smaller and smaller fish as |
| beginning, the sport of the common man. This | | | | the competition for food increased, but slot limit |
| association has remained to this day despite rich | | | | programs which remove fish of a certain size are |
| tournaments and expensive bass boats. | | | | helping to bring the populations back to ideal levels. |
| In the days following World War II, there was a | | | | Bass fishing is a very American sport. It is one of the |
| sport fishing boom in the United States and bass | | | | few fishing methods that does not owe its origins to |
| fishing began to become even more popular. | | | | England or Europe. |