TPWD offers a few good Guadalupe Bass primers here and here. TPWD also offers an in depth video of conservation efforts here.
As I started to focus on bass fishing about a year ago I began to notice the prevalence of the Guadalupe Bass in the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers near New Braunfels and this naturally sparked my curiosity: Why has this bass successfully carved a niche in this part of the state?
This species has specially adapted itself to the shallow waters of Central Texas, where long and severe droughts are as common as the flash floods. As water levels drop, exposing the shallow beds where trickling rapids form, the Guadalupe Bass can be found darting around obstructions in the eddies forming beyond the rapids. Where the Largemouth will sit back in the still waters and wait for its next meal, the Guadalupe has no such option. It's usual method of predation is to lurk in, our just on the edge of the current laying in wait for an easy meal to pass by. Often they choose a deep recess below the common cypress roots, or behind boulders, conveniently breaking the current.
By understanding and examining their habitat, we can began to understand their lives and habits. Guadalupe Bass seem to be creatures of a hard existence when it comes to bass species. Besides being native to drought prone areas, these fish must contend with warmer water, and hence, lower levels of oxygen. Warmer waters also mean encroaching growth of vegetation in the summer, making it easier for prey to hide. Taking these factors into consideration we can say that, generally, Guadalupe Bass do not grow large compared to their Smallmouth and especially Largemouth cousins. The largest Guadalupe Bass on record in the State of Texas was 3 lbs. 11 oz. and 18.25" long, caught in Lake Travis in 1983. That pales in comparison to the state Smallmouth and Largemouth records. TPWD considers adults to be greater than 10" long and a "Big Fish" over 14". These fish have stamina, developed in the currents and are prone to "teasing" their meal before they commit to it. Guads are often skiddish and will simply vanish if disturbed. They're seen in less than 6' of water, and don't mind skimming through less than 1' of water for a meal or to escape from my lures.
Fishing for Guadalupe Bass in and around New Braunfels has become a great passion for me. As such, I've begun to pattern this species, and while, in this area, they often compete for my lures with Largemouths and Smallmouth, it's fairly easy to predict when a Guadalupe has struck my hook.
First, we use our knowledge of the Guadalupe habitat to focus on an area to begin fishing. Focus on shallower areas before and after rapids, especially if these areas present natural obstructions near the current or if the current brushes by a tree or rock lined bank. Usually, on the local rivers, these areas can be found every few hundred yards up to about a mile at most. Guadalupe Bass can be caught on too many artificial lures to name, and their preference varies with too many variables. I've literally caught them on roadrunners, shallow diving cranks, plastic worms and craws, jigged split tail grubs and a lot of other lures.
Remember these few rules to help you select your bait:
1. If water clarity is diminished (relative to its greatest clarity on its best day), choose a darker lure. Darker lures contrast more in low-light conditions.
2. If the sun is obscured by clouds usually glitters or a mirror sheen won't work well.
3. If the current flow is 150 cfs or less you can usually get away without weighting your lure. If it is greater than 150 cfs, consider a drop shot, bullet weight, or weighted hook.
I prefer to use a Zoom Baby Brush Hog in a greenish color if the water clarity is off or if the sun is obscured. It is a favorite beginning in October. On a clear day, middle of the summer, I start with a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw in pumpkin (this mimics the local crawdads, a common find in bass mouths around here). I rig these weightless (usually the flow is low enough) on an offset or EWG worm hook weedless (imperative around here). Early in the mornings I'll cast parallel to banks just before and after rapids to draw out the big boys under the cypress roots. Usually a cast and sink, then a few pops with a smart, steady retrieve. I'll also cast into the flow, and allow the lure to descend in the water column as it travels past obstructions. While wading I'll approach rapids from downstream and cast upstream, pulling the lure with the flow towards the rapids. More often than not, a Guad will tease the end of the bait with a few nibbles. It generally feels like a pop-pop from a small Largemouth. However, this is not the gulp of a Largemouth. From here, a Guadalupe bass will typically travel with the bait in his mouth (but not the hook). I wait for a period of travel followed by a stop and a softer, but longer ppoopp on my rod tip. To me, this indicates a gulp of the bait, and SLAM! I set the hook. If you set the hook too early, he won't even have it in his mouth, and too late, they might drop the artificial bait.
Typically a Guad will commence the fight with bursts of energy, swimming off in one direction for a spell then turning, typically doing 180s and then they dart off another direction. For their size, these bass put up quite a fight, and can feel like a decent bass (and they are!). Their stamina, developed in the currents of these spring-fed rivers greatly assists them in their plea to throw your hook. Short bursts of distance are subsequently followed by bouts of head shakes with the occasional surface breach. Keep your rod tip up, these fish can take advantage of slack line and throw the hook.
Once you have him in your hand hold on tight (they like to wriggle), take the requisite pictures for Mom, and send them back on to their home. I prefer all my friends return these bass to their native habitats to help preserve this fish for generations to come.
Do your part to conserve our local treasures for the coming generations to enjoy. The biggest threat to the Guadalupe Bass seems to be hybridization with the non-native Smallmouth Bass (ironically, introduced by TPWD in the 70s to increase sport fishing in Texas). Guadalupes cannot hybridize with Largemouth however, and the prevalence of LMB in the local waterways is higher than the SMB (let's keep the Smallmouth, if they're legal).
Identification of Guadalupe Bass isn't difficult. The picture at right shows a few characteristics of
Guads well that should assist you in your identification.
1. Notice the irregular stripe down the center of the body. Often times this stripe of irregular shapes can appear as diamond-like shapes, and even tiger stripes (similar to SMB). Hybrids show shapes below and above this stripe as well, towards the belly and upper back.
2. Guadalupes range from a dark olive green (shown) to a lighter green. Most of the local hybrids have a brown reminiscent of the Smallmouth.
3. The white belly (similar to a Largemouth, but not a Smallmouth) helps accentuate the ever telling sign of the rows of dots, that form horizontal lines on the belly. Usually more than 7 rows are present, even in fingerlings.
Notice the irregular dark stripe in this fingerling as well as the formation of the dark belly lines.
In hybrids we might see characteristics of both the Smallmouth and Guadalupe Bass. Notice at right, the "stripe" of irregular shapes doesn't appear down the lateral side of the body. However, the long vertical bars stretching from back to belly are present (indicative of a Smallmouth). We also see the horizontal rows on the belly, typical of a Guadalupe. This is a perfect example of a hybrid. One more example is seen below.
Notice in older fish, like the one seen below, the stripe might fade and the lines appear less solid. However, his jaw does not extend beyond his eye (like a LMB) and he's definitely not a Smallie.
These fish can be down right fun to catch, and for their size, they put up a respectable fight. Please do your part to help ensure these fish are present for generations to come. There is no minimum length limit in Texas and the combined black bass limit is 5 per day (which includes LMB, SMB, Guads and Spotted Bass). Please assist TPWD conservation efforts by returning these fish back to the waters they prefer rather than harvesting them.
Last but not least, my favorite Guadalupe bass-
Fish On!
JHB
No comments:
Post a Comment