Bass fishing is the sport of angling for
the North American gamefish known colloquially
as the black bass. There are numerous
black bass species considered as gamefish in
North America, including largemouth bass (Micropterus
salmoides), smallmouth bass (Micropterus
dolomieui), Kentucky bass or spotted bass (Micropterus
punctatus), Guadalupe bass (Micropterus
treculii), and many other species and
subspecies of the genus Micropterus.
Though referred to as bass, all are actually
members of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae:
order Perciformes).
Modern bass fishing has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. The sport has changed drastically since its beginnings in the late 1800s. From humble beginnings, the black bass has become the second most specifically sought-after game fish in the United States. The sport has driven the development of all manner of fishing gear, including rods, reels, lines, lures, electronic depth and fish-finding instruments, drift boats, float tubes, and specialized bass boats.