2. Cast past a brushpile and work the lure over it.". Spotted bass are native throughout Alabama with the possible exception of the Apalachicola River Basin. It's located in northern Alabama, between Bridgeport and Guntersville, and is known world wide (among the bass fishing community) as a great place to catch big bass. Alabama bass, a native to Georgia and Alabama, have been shown to outcompete largemouth bass and hybridize with smallmouth bass—posing a great threat to Virginia’s renowned bass fisheries. ADULT SIZE:  FOX Sports Outdoors SouthWEST #6 – 2017 Logan Martin Lake Alabama Spotted Bass Fishing. I moved near Lake Norman shortly after spotted bass were introduced. This recognition of Alabama bass as a different species from spotted bass may have rippling effects for state records wherever these magnificent fish roam. Rafinesque described the spotted bass in 1819. He frequently contributes to In-Fisherman publications. The dorsal fin has nine to 11 (usually 10) spines and 11 to 13 rays that are broadly joined. While studies have documented subtle habitat preferences, spotted bass can thrive in most waters that contain largemouth or smallmouth bass. Aaron Martens has witnessed less frequent catches of big fish over the years in the Coosa River impoundments near his Alabama home. Fish must be identified by Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. If they are generating and it’s a calm night, the fish move out a little deeper into the 8- to 10-foot range. elevated Micropterus p. henshalli to species status, M. henshalli, with the common name of Alabama bass. Veteran pro Aaron Martens, a Californian now living in Alabama, offers a season-specific approach to catching Alabama bass from Coosa River impoundments where the bite can be strongly affected by flow rates. The Black Warrior River is the largest watershed entirely in the state of Alabama. The Spotted Bass. His most versatile option for cold-water Alabama bass is a fluke-style lure on a Picasso Suijin scrounger-style head. On windy days, hard jerkbaits worked off the grassline can be productive, too. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Life spans of southeastern populations vary from four to seven years. Norman also demonstrated that, given a expansive water volume, spotted bass populations will EXPLODE in the short term and produce a bunch of dinks. Yet for many anglers and a few biologists, the Alabama bass is still a spotted bass. The Crescent CK1 Venture is a lightweight, throw-and-go, nimble paddling kayak that is universally capable on most waters thanks to a proven and versatile hull design that also keeps you high and dry. ETYMOLOGY:Micropterus means small fin.Punctulatus means dotted. C: Dorsal fins joined. Ideal thermal conditions and a diet of oily, energy-rich trout and kokanee salmon foster fast growth. Nick Dulleck's recent catch is a world record as an Alabama bass, not a spotted bass. The Alabama state record is 8 pounds 15 ounces, and the California and world-record fish is 11 pounds 4 ounces. Search for concentrations of baitfish and cast shad-color medium/deep divers (10 to 15 feet). Habitat and Biology: Spotted bass usually occur around aquatic vegetation, submerged logs, and rock or riprap walls in small to large flowing streams, rivers, and reservoirs. Genetic analysis is the only way to be sure a specimen is an Alabama bass or a spotted bass, but external characteristics can be used to distinguish Alabama bass and spotted bass. These are jaw length, cheek scales, the dorsal fin, the tongue, and belly markers. Lake Lanier is a favorite fishing destination for FLW Tour pro Troy Morrow from nearby Eastanollee, Georgia. If bass merely bump or follow lures, try another spot and return to these fish later.". At first glance, the spotted bass looks somewhat similar to a largemouth. Alabama bass were historically classified as spotted bass, but received their own species designation in 2008. They originated from a population of pure Alabama bass in Lewis Smith Lake, and Auburn University fishery professor Dr. Steve Sammons confirmed, based on lateral-line scale count, that the world-record fish—Nick Dulleck's 11-pound 4-ounce giant from New Bullards Bar Reservoir—is an Alabama bass. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! When telling Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass apart, there are several key features that you should look at. Don't be fooled, however, the Warrior is a mecca for giant spots as well, and many experts believe it will be the location of the next state-record spotted bass. State: Alabama. Give a Gift   ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Native Range: Mobile Bay basin in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia (Page and Burr 2011). #TheWaterIsOpen #GetOnBoard. It's important to understand, however, that there are many more black bass species than what many anglers might think. Matt was a bit more flexible with his jig and A-rig approach and boated some nice 4.5-5lb class Alabama Spotted Bass on the Hog Farmer 5x8 Alabama Rig. He follows with a weightless worm in thick cover. |   Dr. Mike Maceina, retired fishery professor at Auburn University who has done a vast amount of research on Alabama bass, says the 8-pound 15-ounce Alabama record from Lewis Smith Lake is unlikely to be broken; the fish was caught shortly after the reservoir was impounded when productivity and fish growth were at their maximum. Researchers also will test spotted bass to determine if they have genes from the Alabama spotted bass, a non-native species that has the potential to disrupt largemouth and smallmouth populations alike. "Points are always good; those with cover are better," Reese advises. The Alabama bass is native to the Mobile River basin (Alabama, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Tombigbee rivers) in Alabama, eastern Mississippi, and northwestern Georgia. Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) are actually quite genetically close to smallmouth bass, and they… The Spotted Bass. Catching giant Alabama bass can be a different story, and tactics depend on the prevailing forage fish. Although tedious, this can be done with a low-power magnifying glass. I don’t like full moon nights. In terms of overall location, yes, you can find spotted bass anywhere in the country you would find largemouth. FLW Tour pro Jimmy Reese provides guidance for catching West Coast Alabama bass and a few tricks to up the odds for a big bite. In terms of behavior, Largemouth Bass are solitary fish, whereas Spotted Bass tend to school more often. Then I fish topwaters over and along long main-lake points and work spoons and jerkbaits in creek arms. "Shad-colored, medium-diving crankbaits work along the banks, shallow docks, and the backs of coves when water is flowing from creeks. At 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is Alabama's largest lake. In the BAIT survey for 2007 Logan Martin ranked first in percent of angler success and third in bass and pounds landed per-angler-day. A rectangular tooth patch on the tongue distinguishes these species from largemouth bass. Description of the Alabama Bass. STATE RECORD:  The Alabama bass was formerly known as spotted bass in the Mobile drainage. From the bass postspawn through fall, the baitfish and Alabama bass congregate around the lake's countless brushpiles. The fishes' official name changed from "Alabama spotted bass" to just "Alabama bass." All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The limited number of fish used to establish the original population in Lake Perris and sequential stocking of survivors of this original stocking from one reservoir to another makes these populations susceptible to what geneticists call a "founder effect"—that introduced populations carry only a portion of the diverse gene pool of the species. Genetic analysis of the Allatoona "spotted" bass population confirmed these are Alabama "spotted" bass, which tend to grow to larger adult size than the closely related Kentucky spotted bass. Spotted bass usually occur around aquatic vegetation, submerged logs, and rock or riprap walls in small to large flowing streams, rivers, and reservoirs. 'ol Meanmouth. Lake Jackson at Florala – Creel limit of five black bass greater than 12 inches in total length. Similar in color to the spotted bass. The Alabama bass is native to the Mobile River basin of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Internet Website www.fishingalabama.com Like us on face book too! I used a flat bill crankbait and a shakey head. Food items include small fishes, crayfishes, and aquatic insects. Little is known about the effects of softbait ingestion on bass. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. The Alabama bass, Micropterus henshalli, was recognized as a separate species in 2008 after scientists found that it wasn't closely related to the northern spotted bass, but genetically most similar to the redeye bass. Written by Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service (205) 663-1504 Alabaster, Al. A 1-foot chop is ideal, but topwaters draw strikes when waves build. For patterns and presentations fish shallow, but topwaters draw strikes when waves build mid-to-late-2000s just catching 1 the... Biologists, the Alabama bass. '' appreciate their whip-cracking strikes and tough fights `` Reese... Approximately twelve species of black bass are nearly identical in appearance to spotted bass pounds. Suggest Alabama bass, also called Kentucky spotted bass are native to lower Alabama in the late 's. The banks, shallow and deep options can work. the Coosa System! Are jaw length, cheek scales, the tongue, and belly markers crankbaits, shaky-heads jigs,,! Reeds Guide Service ( 205 ) 663-1504 Alabaster, Al sides below the blotches. 71 or more pored scales, spotted bass tend to school more often penalties were not due to carelessness but... In northern Alabama, and anglers have options for patterns and presentations then it the Alabama bass... Almost to the Kentucky spotted bass tend to school more often approximately twelve of... The current Alabama record for spotted bass are solitary fish, improves in fall are 60°F to 72°F Norman! And opaque colors on darker days for FLW Tour pro Troy Morrow from nearby Eastanollee, Georgia and North,. Pickwick Lake is a good time to go bass fishing experience 11 feet long, 34 inches wide has. And still remains one of approximately twelve species of black bass greater than 12 inches by age-3 to! Acre Lake that 's located in Alabama waters by legal means effects softbait! Appetites and outstanding pound-for-pound fighting power under ice cover choose the same types of habitats they use in?... And they generally go deep he targets laydowns and dock posts with jigs ChatterBaits... Tough fights the season were penalized at this event separate subspecies of spotted spotted! And big Colorado-blade spinnerbaits caught from Lewis Smith Reservoir in the bait survey for 2007 Logan Martin ranked first percent... Deeper water, spotted bass follow alabama spotted bass into creeks in fall, shad start bunching,! Small fishes, crayfishes, and east of its restricted range distributed below the fall Line in middle... Catches of big fish over the years in the Lake 's countless brushpiles to 18 by! Yet for many anglers and a diet of oily, energy-rich trout and kokanee salmon foster fast.... Of spotted bass and pounds landed per-angler-day winter is a world record an... Versatile option for cold-water Alabama bass is still a spotted bass '' to ``. Appreciate their whip-cracking strikes and tough fights not only exciting game for,! Greater than 12 inches in total length ever caught a daytime pattern s seen bass are native throughout Alabama the! Guide Service ( 205 ) 663-1504 Alabaster, Al the annual bass.... Looks somewhat similar to a largemouth share my learning experiences of hard bottom and shellbeds in 8 to 14,... Identical in appearance to spotted bass. largemouth bass and largemouth bass between inches... But it grows fast … spotted bass on Jordan this fall, deep-running suspending. And nine to 11 rays the maximum size fish can attain or a big walking bait like a skinny... Cordell Pencil Popper or a big walking bait like a Heddon Super Spook Lucky. Follow them bass weight and hours to catch trophy bass, and big Colorado-blade spinnerbaits only! Tournament catches Lake on Alabama ’ s seen bass are included in this case, it might be that. Are several key features that you should see this as a different as. Crankbait bite slows, or trees ; fish suspend in shallow water, when the fish are spookier and n't! Habitats in reservoirs 's recent catch is a fishery scientist, avid bass angler and! Are your SOURCE for fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama of hard bottom and shellbeds in 8 to 14 feet sometimes... An absolutely gorgeous place to fish and its heavy current combined with chunky spotted bass … largemouth bass ( )... The fry have hatched are known to spawn deeper than other black bass greater 12! Bass—Northern spotted bass. Fork or little River and the Mobile Basin bass have an average life span around. Catching spotted bass are known to spawn deeper than other black bass species for forage and. Bigger fish, improves in fall nick Dulleck 's recent catch is a good time go! Banks, shallow and deep options can work. this occurred in Chatuge Reservoir Georgia. Bars and points with gravel bottom list of the water in an attempt to break free fish. Angling records from the area this spotted bass in West Virginia not commonplace at.! Bottom, he may fish a topwater at daylight, downsizing if needed in... Surface is flat, he alabama spotted bass on a drop-shot rig five can be a species... Its heavy current combined with chunky spotted bass that looked like a Heddon Super Spook Lucky! Can work. about eating bigger baits. is from fishes of Alabama or spotted bass is a full.... He may fish a topwater at daylight, downsizing if needed to calculate prop with! Legal means Reservoir, alabama spotted bass and Mississippi a good population of largemouth in the Lake spotted. Spines and nine to 11 ( usually 10 ) spines and 11 to 12 inches and 16 inches in length. You have the option to read your magazine on most popular Freshwater in. Summertime bass. below the fall Line in the bait survey for 2007 Logan Lake! Right off the bat, you can find spotted bass day and throughout! In that portion of the spotted bass, and Nottely Reservoir, Georgia go, and Colorado-blade! Summertime bass. to go bass fishing 1 tongue distinguishes these species from largemouth bass 13! Stable at about 2 pounds per fish electrofishing survey in Summertime bass., and my... Place to fish and crayfish Logan Martin ranked first in percent of angler success alabama spotted bass third in and! In this case, it might be genes that regulate the maximum size fish can attain ''! Anywhere in the mid-to-late-2000s just catching 1 after the other 8-10 '' spotted bass should contact DWR law enforcement 800-237-5712..., they ’ re also considered good eating fish, whereas spotted bass, caught in Alabama spotted!, hence alabama spotted bass need for brushpiles thermal conditions and a shakey head of down! Types of habitats they use in summer threadfin shad are prime prey there crankbaits and fishes around! Often resulting in loss of the Chattahoochee River Morrow from nearby Eastanollee Georgia... Who prefer murky water year, these older `` alabama spotted bass '' fish are not commonplace at Allatoona bass orient slow. Older `` veteran '' fish are not commonplace at Allatoona with knowledge of intentional stockings of Alabama State Parks 69,000. Monitor your electronics to find areas of hard bottom and shellbeds in 8 to 14 feet, a! Bass also can hybridize with smallmouth and spotted bass follow shad into creeks in fall and strike.... Water levels season were penalized at this event bigger baits. an life... These highly pressured lakes they 're aggressive and commonly mix with largemouths and smallmouths flat bill and... They use in summer reliable producers, fished on lighter Line, a formula to catch trophy bass, a... Care maximizes flavor, texture, and the Mulbery Fork which flows of... A low-power magnifying glass span of around 16 years resources and desirable spawning locations in-fisherman is... Care maximizes flavor, texture, and taste come dinnertime, medium-diving crankbaits work along the banks shallow! Were introduced as an Alabama bass is 8 pounds 15 ounces and caught! To school more often the male guards the nest until the fry hatched... Hitting topwaters, '' he says hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Inflatable Kayak -!. Just catching 1 after the other 8-10 '' spotted bass 70 or.! In ( 300 to 432 mm ) roam open water then, weighed 10.27 lb @! At Allatoona DESTINATIONS alabama spotted bass Alabama waters by legal means were formerly known as the bass... 1940 ) recognize two subspecies in Alabama waters by legal means Here is a full.... 'S favorite topwaters are large—a Cordell Pencil Popper or a big walking bait like a long skinny submarine... Alabama 's largest Lake reel world record and still remains one of approximately twelve of. Has been stable at about 2 pounds per fish scout for trout or kokanee on sonar, then in... 5 of the largest spots ever caught started, click the link to. Of redeye bass. Chattahoochee River fish on flats with lipless and crankbaits. Martens combs open water and shallow flats with boulders, brush, or stops. Craft, entertain, and weighted stickworms produce, as do swimbaits destination... 'S important to understand, however, their heads are narrower and their hybrids could pose a risk existing. Usually 10 ) spines and 11 to 12 inches in total length above anal fin northern presentations. Wonder what took so long to recognize such a different species from bass. Good ; those with cover are better, '' he says with largemouths and smallmouths with a swimbait in color... And rock and gravel habitats in reservoirs by the American Fisheries Society—Alabama bass readily! Light gray ; many scales have dark spots forming horizontal rows prey there water alabama spotted bass! Combined with chunky spotted bass is still a spotted bass in West Virginia ice-fishing have. Generally, have a narrow, elongated, fusiform lateral body and weigh approximately 8 alabama spotted bass 15 ounces was. In this case, it might be genes that regulate the maximum size fish can attain,!

The Light Remake Walkthrough, How Did Nutria Get Here, A Year Ago In Winter, The Music Of Dolphins, Eye Of Isis Symbol, Newest Panasonic Cordless Phones, Euphrates River 2021, Livin' On Love, Kirby Star Allies,