Also known as
- Alabama Spotted Bass US
- Henshall's Bass US
- Redeye Bass US
Identification
A robust torpedo-shaped North American freshwater bass with a moderately deep slightly elongated profile built for both ambush strikes and sustained pursuit in flowing water.
- Greenish to bronze-olive upper colouration with lighter underside
- Dark lateral stripe running from behind the head to the tail
- Upper jaw ends level with the middle of the eye
- Rows of dark spots forming irregular horizontal lines below the lateral stripe
Where it holds
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Rocky Shores
Behaviour
An aggressive pursuit predator that feeds heavily on shad and small baitfish in open water, supplemented by crayfish and terrestrials. More chase-oriented than close relatives — hunts both from structure and in open pelagic zones, often schooling over offshore humps and channel swings. Feeding peaks at dawn and dusk with strong midday bites when schoolers chase bait on the surface. Most active 18-26°C (64-79°F) with optimum 20-24°C (68-75°F). Tolerates warmer water than smallmouth.
Diet: Shad, Baitfish, Minnows, Sunfish, Crayfish, Terrestrial Insects
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
Cast shad-imitating swimbaits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and topwater walkers to offshore humps, main-lake points, and channel swings. Fast retrieves trigger schooling fish; topwaters at dawn and dusk draw explosive surface takes. Match the prevailing baitfish size — undersized baits consistently outproduce large presentations.
Jigging
Drop football jigs, flutter spoons, or blade baits vertically onto channel drops, offshore humps, and suspended schools. Lift-drop with controlled falls for reaction strikes; drag football jigs on rocky bottoms. The standout technique once a school is pinned on sonar.
Live Lining
Free-line a live shad or shiner on a 2/0 circle hook near schools on offshore structure. Particularly deadly during summer when fish are keyed on balled-up baitfish. Slip bobber presentations work when fish suspend off rocky points.
Trolling
Troll deep-diving crankbaits or umbrella rigs (where legal) at 2-3 knots along channel swings and main-lake points to locate suspended schools. Switch to casting once fish are found — trolling is primarily a search tactic.
Fly Fishing
Streamer
Strip shad-imitating patterns (Clousers, Game Changers) with fast erratic retrieves on sink-tip line to schooling fish and offshore structure. White and chartreuse outperform natural colours when fish are keyed on shad. Reach suspending fish by counting the fly down to 3-5m.
Dry Fly
Cast poppers and sliders to schooling fish on the surface and along rocky shorelines at dawn and dusk. Most productive during the shad spawn and in summer when fish are actively busting bait on the surface.
