Bigmouth buffalo are part of the suckerfish family and have adapted to feed in murky waters. Their mouths are slanted downward, which allows them to easily feed at the bottom of their preferred waterways. Fishermen use traditional hook-and-line fishing methods along with alternative fishing methods to catch these dark-colored fish.
© – License
What is a Bigmouth Buffalo?
Native to North America, bigmouth buffalos are characterized by their dark coloration and thick bodies. They’re a bit black and a bit brown with slivers of deep green and copper. Their dorsal fins are long and curved. Their eyes sit close to their snouts, small, just above their slanted mouths. The lower fins are a bit darker than their bodies, except for their bellies which are the brightest part of the fish, usually a yellowish/white color.
On average, these fish grow between 15 and 27 inches and may weigh between two and 30 pounds. They’re found in natural lowland lakes and large streams, sometimes inhabiting artificial reservoirs. Bigmouth Buffalo prefer deep, pooled environments. They tolerate standing water quite well and may also travel to small-scale creeks when it’s time to spawn.
They feed on debris, waste, and invertebrates. Older bigmouth buffalos may also feed on crustaceans. To capture their food sources, they work together as a school to swirl the water and bring all those bits and pieces, including some plant life, into the center for easy capture. Their lifespans are quite long, with the oldest known to man having lived to 112 years of age.
Bigmouth Buffalo Fishing Basics
©Simon a D. Auria/Shutterstock.com
Since bigmouth buffalo prefer environments with off-color water, spotting them can prove difficult. Your best bet is to find pockets in the water that would naturally attract these fish. Think river mouths, reeds, small islands, or drop-offs. It’s a good idea to pre-bait, as well. Bigmouth buffalos feed a lot and by setting yourself up with pre-bait, you create a good chance for these fish to find you. Use anything from pellets to beans and feed corn but avoid feed with processed ingredients.
Further reinforce your chances of attracting these fish with large balls of pack bait. This addition should be presented near to your hook bait to bring the fish in closer. You’ll notice smaller fish are drawn in as well, which also helps to get the attention of larger fish like bigmouth buffalos. When eventually you feel movement, you have to move quickly. Bigmouth buffalos are a bit timid with their bites, which is why it’s easy to miss the moment.
They put up a good fight once they realize they’re hooked. Whereas carp can be quite erratic and unpredictable swimmers, bigmouth buffalos head steadfastly in a single direction. Considering these fish can grow to weigh above 30 pounds, you can imagine the struggle when trying to reel one in. Some fishermen use alternative fishing to bring these suckers in, like the man who set the current state record for largest catch.
Record-Breaking Catch in Henry County, MO
The state record for largest bigmouth buffalo was broken by none other than the son of Bass Pro’s founder, Johnny Morris. John Paul Morris from Springfield was out on a private pond on January 21, 2017, in Henry County that had previously served as a coal mine pit. He was out with several of his friends, using an alternative fishing method. They were using a special boat with floodlights that light up the water beneath them.
The fishermen spotted the bigmouth buffalo and noticed it was large. They each attempted to shoot it in eight feet of water but none of them were successful. They decided to move on, and the bigmouth buffalo came up just behind their boat, as if surfing the wake. Unsure why the fish was acting like this but recognizing his advantage, Morris shot again and this time, the arrow connected. His friend shot a backup arrow to ensure the catch immediately after.
Although they knew the fish was big, they didn’t fully appreciate its size until they lugged it onto their boat. Morris felt it just seemed to get bigger. He was aware of the state record at the time and when he realized how much this fish weighed, he was over the moon. He and his friends reached out to a biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation who went to meet them at Lost Valley Fish Hatchery in Warsaw to use an official scale.
©Christopher Moswitzer/Shutterstock.com
Bigmouth Stats
The bigmouth buffalo Morris caught weighed a total of 57 pounds, 13 ounces. It was 39 inches long with a girth of 32.5 inches. The previous alternative fishing record was set by bow fisherman, John Overstreet in 2015. His catch weighed 54 pounds. The hook-and-line record stands at 56 pounds. That record was set by Dr. W.J. Long in 1976 from Poplar Bluff.
The post Discover The Largest Bigmouth Buffalo Ever Caught in Missouri appeared first on AZ Animals.
from Animal News, Facts, Rankings, and More! - AZ Animals https://ift.tt/6jQClpA