Guadalupe Bass
The Guadalupe bass is a rare species that is also called a Texas trout, black bass and Guadalupe spotted bass. You can identify a Guadalupe bass to start with by verifying that the jaw does not extend past the eye. The next distinguishing characteristic to look for in this sunfish is a tooth patch on their tongue. Guadalupe bass also do not have horizontal rows of spots on their bellies and their dark lateral line colorations form vertical bars that run the axial length of their bodies. They are generally green in color and their coloration extends much lower on the body than most other bass.
The official world record for the Guadalupe Bass is 3 pounds 11 ounces. This record Guadalupe was caught from Lake Travis in Texas on September 25, 1983.
Guadalupe bass are a highly regarded game fish by bass anglers and fly fishermen alike. The Guadalupe earned its nickname of Texas trout due to its strong fighting ability when caught on light tackle, particularly fly tackle. Popular lures and baits for Guadalupe bass are small plastic worms and craw fish, small spoons, insect and fly lures. Live baits include small craw fish and minnows.
Guadalupe bass are typically found in the flowing headwaters of several rivers on the Edwards Plateau in Texas. These rivers include the San Antonio River, the Guadalupe River above Gonzales, the Colorado River north of Austin, and portions of the Brazos River drainage. A relatively small population can also be found outside of the Edwards Plateau, primarily in the lower Colorado River and also the Nueces River system.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife service says Guadalupe Bass can grow to 3.5 pounds. The current largest recorded length is 18 inches with a maximum recorded weight of 3.7 pounds. Average adult-sized Guadalupe Bass usually measure about 12 inches in length and weigh about one pound. Guadalupe Bass do not grow to larger sizes due to their adaptation to smaller streams but their desire for fast flowing water and their ability to take advantage of this fast water once hooked make them an excellent sport fish.
Male and female Guadalupe Bass become sexually mature at about one year of age. Spawning for the Guadalupe usually begins in early March and can continue through June. Occasionally in late summer or early fall a secondary spawn will occur. Guadalupe male bass will build a gravel nest for spawning in flowing shallow water when possible. The male will then attract a female to the nest where she may lay 400 to over 9,000 eggs. The male Guadalupe Bass will then chase the female away. Males then guard the incubating eggs and after they hatch protect the fry. Guadalupe fry feed on invertebrates to begin with but as they grow begin to eat small fish. Juvenile to young adult Guadalupes favor more fish in their diets. As the Guadalupe reaches the last years of its life span it tends to once again include more invertebrates in its diet.
The Guadalupe bass is only found in Texas and has been named the official state fish of the Lone Star State. Most fly fishermen and anglers today practice catch-and-release techniques with Guadalupe Bass to aid their population growth.
|
|