Spotted bass

[Adam Grace]

Wow, I am really starting to appreciate spotted bass. After two trips to Lake Oroville and catching a few I have gained more respect for these bass.

I used a conventional rod due to wrist problems. I will try the spots with a fly once I learn how to properly find the fish with my conventional rod, blind casting for hours is very tough on my wrist right now.

I believe that they fight way better than largemouths, but not as hard as smallmouth!

Do any of you guys have experience catching spots?

[sculpin]

Great report Adam. It will be interesting to read the responses to your questions. I don't even know what a Spotted Bass looks like but I hear rumors the bass guys are hauling them north.

Mark

[Ed Wahl]

Adam, I'll second that. Caught my first Spotteds this year and was very impressed with them. ED

[Rich Owings]

Adam, Spots do fight harder no doubt. You can catch them on most any bass fly. My favorite for all bass are clones of Jay's Sea Habits, I actually tie some to look like juvenile bass.
We fish some of the reserviors in Amador and Calaveras counties, the Spots tend to like rocky structure in our area.
Have fun!!!
RICH

[Adam Grace]

Sculpin, they look like largemouths but their lateral lines are more spotted/blotchy, and they are spotted above the lateral line - hence the name.

Characteristics - slender, streamlined shape, large mouth that extends slightly past rear margin of eye when closed; greenish sides with dark mottlings and golden-shaded reflections; broad dark stripe along side, but more broken and uneven than on largemouth bass

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/fishadvisory/spotted_bass800.jpg

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/images/inland_species/spotbassbig.jpg

http://www.mdwfp.com/xNet/Files/Fisheries/central/ForumPics/KemperSpotBassSmall.jpg

[Hairstacker]

I think they are at times a very striking looking fish -- here's a couple David Lee caught that are particularly well-marked:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Sachlil/100_1590.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Sachlil/100_1591.jpg

[MSP]

Adam, I know they eat black buggers!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MPutman/DSC00182.jpg

But I usually throw Sticko's at em. My dark side is really starting to emerge! :twisted:

[Hairstacker]

Whoa, nice bass Mike!

[SullyTM]

MSP with a fish in his hand? :shock: :lol:

[sculpin]

Adam
Thanks for the pictures and descriptions of Spotted Bass. Like I posted before, Jonny Bass Seed is spreading Spots around our area. It shouldn't be long before I get to see one.

Mark

[Paul B.]

Don Paganelli showed me the red dot on the tonge of a spotted bass. He said sometimes it's otherwise difficult tell the difference from a LMB. The do seem to fight harder though. More like a SMB. Great game fish. We got quite a few at Folsom year before last (spring time). PB

[Adam Grace]

Nice spot Mike! It's nice to see more than your hand holding your fish in a picture. :P That's a pretty big spot, very nice.

[C. Carter]

I've caught a number at Naciamento when targetting whites bass. We got them in coves, off points, along mudlines, etc. They went after the scaled-down striper flies (clousers, deceivers) with gusto. They are frisky. Also caught some at Bass Lake South of Yosemite. Those had a strikng red eye.

I always understood that they were called "Spotted" because the fine spots (actually dark scale edges) in the light belly area.
Chas.

[Rickey Noel Mitchell]

Hey Adam, At this time in my life I've probably caught more spotys then any other fishi I've caught. Millerton could have the next world record .If I'm not mistaken it came from Pine Flat not far away. they've broken the tips off two of my six weights I use 8 and 9 wts now.I'll tell you somebody that likes spotys better than I do , the stripers in Millerton. I'm still hunting that striped locomotive that smashed into my kayak and took my bass then broke my rod.

[Ed Wahl]

We're sitting on top of Spotted Bass Central right here in Folsom Lake. It takes at least an 8wt, not for the fish, it's for flossing jet skiers. :D I think a jet skier would be easier to land anyway. I'm serious, a jet skier would just whine and cry and come right in when you pull on him. The Spotteds just keep pulling back until you're both tired. Then they pull some more. Yeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwww! Love them fish. Ed

[Darian]

And you thought all of those 9/0 treble hooks wrapped with lead were for snagging fish :?: :?: :P :P :lol: :lol: :lol:

[David Lee]

My favorite for all bass are clones of Jay's Sea Habits, I actually tie some to look like juvenile bass.


For the record .....

Rich tyes some of the BEST Sea Habits around .

Perhaps you could post a photo of one , along w/ the materal list for a baby Bass SH ???

I still have the one you gave me on the American years ago - great fly !!

David :D

[Rich Owings]

O.K. I'll try to post a pic soon. The flies are great fun to tie. Rich