how much do young bass eat?

Thanks

Matt

....doesn't anyone know?

I know they start with eating algae and other microscopic organisms, then to minnows espcially little shad, and as soon as bass are 7-8 inches they basically eat anything and everything, as far as how much im not totally sure but the bigger the more they eat would be the best assumption

I could be wrong but I believe the # is 2/3 of their body weight per day.  That might be a bluefish though,not sure.

a lot

Largemouth fry start out eating about 15% of body weight (if it's available) per day until 4" long, dropping to about 5% in maturity, 1% or less in winter. In warm water mature bass need at least 5 pounds of live baitfish for minimal maintenance, at least 10 pounds per pound of bass to gain one pound a year (good growth). Bass eating more than that make trophy bass, gaining up to 2 pounds a year. Normal growth is 1/2 pound per year. Fairly effecient energy transfer, 1:5:1

In winter they feed very little, in smaller quantities, and little or none during the spawn. Much of their time is spent digesting a meal and searching for food. Ever held a mouthful of shad spit up by a bass? Very light. It takes a pile of shad to make up 10 pounds just to grow one pound.

Jim

Bass in general have a very short digestional period..they eat it, very soon it comes out the other end so to speak.

Using 1" shad for forage:

Below 40 degree water: Bass feed 2-3 times a month, more likely digest food once every 14-17 days.

Below 50 degree water: Bass digest once every 4-7 days.

Below 60 degree water: Bass digest about once every 18 hours.

Below 70 degree water: Bass digest about once every 6 hours.

Below 80 degree water: Bass digest about once every 5 hours.

Below 90 degree water: Bass digest about once every 6 hours.

Below 100 degree water: Metabolism is slowed back down to conserve calories. If the bass can't find deeper cooler water to rest in, it isn't likely to feed. Otherwise digestion completes once every 6-18 hours.

Small shad give bass a net gain in weight more effieciently because those require the least calories to digest, and result in the least amount of waste expelled. Large prey require disproportionally greater calories to digest, there's more waste percentage, and it takes a lot longer to digest, meaning they feed less frequently and less efficiently. However, a bass doesn't really know that and will readily dine on a 5" bream faster than taking a 1" shad.  

Jim