Species & Basics Glossary

This category covers the foundational knowledge every bass angler needs, from telling the three major bass species apart to understanding the regulations and terminology you will hear at the ramp. Get these basics down and everything else in bass fishing, from lure choice to seasonal patterns, will make a lot more sense.

• Catch and Release. Returning a fish to the water unharmed after landing it.
• Largemouth Bass. The most common and popular bass species in the country.
• Smallmouth Bass. A hard-fighting bass of cooler, clearer water.
• Spotted Bass. An aggressive bass of reservoirs and rivers.

Browse the full glossary or explore the fish species field guide.