Modern Bass Fishing has its roots in the Southern USA, originally for food. The sport has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. The sport has changed drastically since the 1950s from humble beginnings it has become the second most specifically sought after game fish in the USA. The sport has driven the development of all manner of fishing gear, from rods, reels, lines, lures, electronics to modern 'Bass Boats'.
Competitive bass fishing alone generates approximately two billion dollars annually. Overall the latest numbers place the value of the sport at over seven billion US dollars.
Bass are no longer viewed as a food fish by the majority of participants. The phrase 'Catch and Release' was coined by one of the first national tournament circuits, Bassmasters. Most fish are released as soon as caught. In competition anglers are penalized heavily for dead fish, in some cases dead fish are not weighed. Fish turned in for weighing are immediately released or placed in tanks and treated for stress and injury to their slime coats, then released back into the water.
The Largemouth has been introduced across the world by sports fishermen and governmental wildlife departments. Largemouth bass can be found worldwide, Japan, Australia and South Africa have active programs of stocking. The subculture of competitive Bass Fishing has followed the fish across the globe. There have been a number of tournament events in the USA involving invited participants from Japan, South Africa and Australia.