Why is it called Bass? The town of Bass owes its name to the explorer George Bass. He navigated Western Port bay in 1798. He used a small whaling boat. Bass even ventured some distance up the Bass River.
George Bass Park stands as a memorial. It honors his explorations. But there’s more to Bass than just its namesake.
In 1835 Samuel Anderson arrived. He was a Scottish immigrant. He sailed up the Bass River. Anderson established Victoria’s third permanent settlement. By 1837 Robert Massie joined him. Samuel had worked as a bookkeeper before his journey. His brothers Hugh and Thomas later joined. They created a successful farming venture at Bass. The Anderson family’s legacy remains. Their graves are in the San Remo Cemetery. Descendants of Thomas Anderson still live nearby.
Bass township was surveyed in the early 1860s. The Post Office opened in 1862.
Once, Wildlife Wonderland was near Bass. It had a Giant Earthworm Museum. Tourists could explore a replica worm burrow. They could see a simulated worm stomach. The museum displayed information about the Giant Gippsland earthworm. These worms can grow up to 3 meters long. The museum closed in 2012.
Bass shares a football team with Kilcunda. They compete in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
Now lets talk about another kind of Bass. The Australian Bass is a native fish. This Bass can be found in coastal rivers and streams. It lives along the eastern seaboard. This stretches from Queensland through New South Wales. It goes into eastern Victoria.
Australian Bass are rare. They prefer habitats with cover. This includes instream debris and fallen timber. They also like rocky outcrops. These fish may live in still pools or fast streams.
Adult Australian Bass are migratory. They move between fresh and brackish water. This depends on the season. They migrate upstream in December to February. They move downstream into lower reaches from March to May. Breeding happens in estuarine waters during June to August.
These fish are aggressive. They strike at various lures. They can be caught using surface lures and soft plastics. They put up a great fight.
Australian Bass fishing is best during warmer months. October to April is a great time. They can be caught in rivers and impoundments. These are along the New South Wales and Queensland coasts.
Remember catch limits protect Australian Bass. Always check local fishing rules. Obtain necessary permits. Let’s appreciate Bass for its history and nature.