Freshwater Bass Guide

Freshwater Bass Guide

In freshwater, bass fishing is king. They bring the bite and a good fight, making anglers work for their catch. Whether you’re an angler targeting largemouth or the rare hybrid Chattahoochee bass in western Georgia, our bass fishing tips have you covered.

Largemouth Bass

(Micropterus salmoides)

 

The largemouth bass is the most popular gamefish in the United States. It’s a top predator because of its aggressive behavior and nature. Largemouth bass use tree limbs and aquatic vegetation in shallow waters to ambush their prey and hide from predators. They are eager to strike on a variety of lures and baits. Their aggressive nature has made largemouth bass the top gamefish, producing associations and tournaments that generate billions of dollars in sponsorships and prizes.

Distribution

  • United States 
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Japan
  • Italy
  • Australia
  • South Africa

I.D.

Largemouth bass look similar to other black basses, like smallmouth and spotted bass. However, largemouth have an upper jaw that extends to the back of their eyes, and their two dorsal fins are almost separated. In comparison, the dorsal fins of other bass species look like a single continuous fin. Along with their fins, largemouth are light to dark green, with horizontal scars on both sides and a white underbelly. For size, largemouth are between 13-20 inches and can weigh over 20 pounds. The world record for largemouth bass is currently 22 pounds and 4 oz.

Habitat

Anglers can find largemouth bass in lakes, rivers, or streams—specifically, slow-moving streams, creeks, ponds, and swamps. Largemouth prefers heavy vegetation so they can use it as cover to stalk their prey and hide from predators. Young largemouth feed on insects and small crustaceans, while adults feed on smaller fish, crayfish, and frogs. Occasionally, adult largemouth will feed on snakes and small rodents. With their voracious appetite, they eagerly strike a variety of lures, along with live baits like golden shiners.

Fishing For Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass move depending on the season because they prefer water temperatures between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. During the fall and spring seasons, they migrate toward shallow waters, while in winter, they seek out deeper areas. For anglers in northern waters, when temperatures drop into the 50s, look for deep structure drop-offs, mid-lake rises, and submerged trees. Adult largemouth bass spend most of their days in the summer in deeper waters. However, they’re likely hunting in the shallows at dawn and dusk.

One exception in many lakes is when smaller “schoolie” bass swarm at the surface to chase schools of bait. Although these fish are small, they bring fast and furious action, especially on the fly or surface plugs.

Anglers catch more largemouth on plastic worms and other soft baits than any other type of lure. Although these baits seem basic, they’re highly effective in the hands of a skilled angler. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are also widely popular. Using hard-body diving crankbaits and topwater lures provokes largemouth, too. According to research at the University of Illinois, largemouth bass learn to avoid and recognize fishing lures based on past experiences, especially negative ones (2019). Anglers must change their techniques to land a trophy-worthy largemouth bass.

Current IGFA Records

  • Weight: 22 lbs. 4 oz
  • Location: Lake Biwa, Shiga, Japan
  • Catch Date: July 2, 2009
  • Angler: Manabu Kurita
  • Weight: 22 lbs. 4 oz
  • Location: Montgomery Lake, Georgia
  • Catch Date: June 2, 1932
  • Angler: George W. Perry

Smallmouth Bass

(M. dolomieu)

 

 

Although smaller than largemouth, smallmouth bass still put up a tough fight. They prefer clear and deep lakes, and unlike largemouth bass, they inhabit fast-flowing streams.

Distribution

  • Lawrence Seaway
  • Great Lakes
  • Hudson Bay
  • Southern Quebec in Canada to North Dakota
  • South to northern Alabama
  • Eastern Oklahoma
  • England
  • Europe
  • Japan
  • Russia
  • Africa

I.D.

The species name for smallmouth bass comes from how its upper jaw only extends to the middle of its eye. Largemouth have a larger mouth than smallmouth because their upper jaw extends past its eyes. Another difference between smallmouth and largemouth bass is their coloring. Smallmouth bass are light brown with vertical stripes on both sides of their body and connected dorsal fins. They also have dark horizontal markings across their gill plates. As they age, some adults will lose their bold markings.

Habitat

Smallmouth bass prefer deeper water than largemouth bass. Anglers can find them in fast-flowing streams with gravel bottoms. As the water in larger lakes warms up, smallmouths head into deep structures until the fall. When the temperatures cool off, smallmouths return to shallower waters. Habitat plays a significant role in the size of smallmouths because they can grow up to 30 inches in an optimal habitat.

Fishing For Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass will bite on a variety of soft and hard baits. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and buzz baits work well, especially if they’re ¼-oz in size, soft baits rigged on jig heads, or worm hooks. Colors that resemble crayfish and minnows are popular too.

When fishing in larger waters, anglers should size up their spinnerbaits or jigs for fishing smallmouth. Smallmouth prey on gobies, so using lures that imitate these small fish while working them along the bottom is highly effective. In southern areas with smallmouth, the lakes don’t freeze over in the winter and will assemble in deep channels up to 30 feet. In this scenario, vertical or finesse jigs work best.

Also, be on the lookout for pre-spawn and post-pawn smallmouth. Smallmouths are usually less than 10 feet off the points near coves or gravelly flats. For pre- and post-spawn, use crankbaits and jigs with grubs.

Smallmouth anglers should use jerkbaits, hard lures, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits if the water isn’t clear mid-column. For chasing smallmouth in clear water, opt for light leaders and tube baits that imitate gobies or crayfish. In warmer weather or early and late in the day, anglers should use topwater lures.

Current IGFA Record

  • Weight: 11 lbs. 15 oz
  • Location: Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
  • Catch Date: July 9, 1955
  • Angler: David Hayes

Spotted Bass

(M. punctulatus)

 

Spotted bass, also known as Kentucky bass, are aggressive fighters. From topwater strikes to deep water, they fight harder than largemouth bass. Spotted bass are part of the sunfish family, and it got its name from its row of dark spots.

Distribution

  • Central/lower Mississippi River basin
  • Georgia
  • Alabama
  • Tennessee
  • Kentucky
  • Some California lakes
  • South Africa

I.D.

Spotted bass range from green to olive in color and have a white belly. They have horizontal blotches below their lateral line, with sensory receptors allowing them to detect movement in the water. Spotted bass have connected dorsal fins and scales at their second dorsal fin base. There are also rows of small dark spots on their lower sides. 

Note: Due to the confusion with identifying spotted bass, the IGFA states, "It's probable the record-size speciments of spotted bass have gone unnoticed." Also, spotted bass crossbreed quickly, adding to the confusion with species identification. 

Habitat

Spotted bass prefer small to medium-sized rivers and streams. They like clear, slow-moving water with gravel or rock bottoms, too. In lakes, spotted bass prefer deep water and feed mostly on crayfish and small fish. This species also likes to take cover near timber, rocks, or vegetation. Young spotted bass grow slower than largemouth and reach maturity at about 7 inches.

Fishing For Spotted Bass

When deep water is clear, finesse drop-shotting works best for spotted bass. After spawning, deep-running crankbaits and finesse worms are effective when they move back into deeper water. In deeper water, spotted bass typically swim in schools and have sharp eyes, so anglers must use long, light leaders to fool them. Spotted bass will eagerly chase jerkbaits and hard minnows if you're fishing in lakes when springtime baitfish spawn.

Current IGFA Record

  • Weight: 2 lbs. 4 oz
  • Location: Trinity River, Texas
  • Catch Date: April 18, 2023
  • Angler: Arthur Weston

Alabama Bass

(M. henshalli)

 

The Alabama bass is an aggressive and invasive species known to outcompete largemouth bass and breed hybrids. It can even wipe out smallmouth and spotted bass from the waterways they inhabit. For example, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources recently labeled Alabama bass as “A tremendous threat to largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries.” Despite their impact on other bass species, the Alabama bass is an outstanding fighting gamefish to anglers.

Distribution

  • Georgia
  • Alabama
  • Lake Gaston
  • Buggs Island Lake
  • Claytor Lake
  • New River
  • Philpott Lake
  • Martinsville Reservoir
  • Diascund Reservoir
  • James River
  • Chickahominy River

Alabama bass have also been introduced by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in Texas and California and illegally introduced in several other U.S. states. Alabama bass threaten many waterways because they hurt native bass populations, especially largemouth bass.

I.D.

This invasive species is longer and leaner than largemouth bass and nearly identical to spotted bass. Alabama and spotted bass have a dark, blotchy lateral line running down their sides. One way to tell them apart is by counting the scales on their lateral line and the spots below it. Also, Alabama bass have a tooth patch on their tongue, and their jaw does not extend past their eyes.

Habitat

Anglers can find Alabama bass in large river systems and lakes. They’re typically close to spotted and smallmouth in deeper water, but sometimes anglers can find them with largemouth bass in shallower weed beds. Alabama bass feed on live shad, crayfish, or other fish.

Fishing For Alabama Bass

Due to the aggressive nature of Alabama bass, they’re not selective when it comes to biting lures. Like spotted bass, the same fishing techniques also work for Alabama bass. For clear, deep-water, anglers should use drop-shots. After spawning, anglers should use deep-running crankbaits and finesse worms. Swimbaits imitate shad, one of their go-to food sources, and make for good action on the water.

Current IGFA Record

  • Weight: 11 lbs. 4 oz
  • Location: New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
  • Catch Date: February 12, 2017
  • Angler: Nick Dulleck

Redeye Bass

(M. coosae)

 

 

Native to the same limited areas as the Alabama bass, Redeye bass rarely weigh more than 3 lbs. Anglers can find redeye bass in Tennessee, northern Florida, the Carolinas, Kentucky, and a few northern California waters. As their name implies, Redeye bass has reddish caudal, tail fins, and red eyes. Depending on age, their bodies are brown to light green, and their upper jaw does not extend beyond their eyes. Redeye also has a dark spot on its gill cover and caudal fin.

For habitat, redeyes prefer moving water in warmer streams or small to medium rivers, with their optimal water temperature around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re rarely found in natural lakes or ponds. Redeyes love to ambush their prey, and anglers can find them along the shoreline searching for food. They prefer tiny fish, nightcrawlers, crayfish, and redworms.

For bait, anglers should opt for worms or minnows. Artificial worms are also effective. Redeyes make good ultralight and fly-rod targets, and we recommend starting with a 4-inch finesse and adjusting from there. Redeyes love to put up a good fight and continue growing in popularity.

Current IGFA Record

  • None
  • Weight: 5 lbs 2.5 oz
  • Location: South Carolina

*Largest verified by state biologist

Guadalupe Bass 

(M. treculii)

 

Guadalupe bass are the official state fish of Texas. It’s a rare species of bass and a member of the sunfish family. Adult Guadalupe can reach up to 12 inches and weigh about 1 lb. They are lime to olive green, and their coloring fades as they age. Anglers can distinguish Guadalupe from other types of bass based on their distinct physical features. For example, Guadalupe don’t have vertical lines on their bodies like smallmouth or a protruding jaw like largemouth bass.

Anglers can only find Guadalupe in limited areas like the Guadalupe, Brazos, and San Antonio Rivers. Guadalupe are also in Colorado and San Marcos. Like the Redeye bass, the Guadalupe inhabits rivers with a flowing current. Anglers can find them near cypress trees, under large rocks, or by stumps. They feed on primarily water-bound insects, gizzard shad, crayfish, and golden shiners. When it heats in the summer, the water can reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and Guadalupe will start looking for deep waters.

Guadalupe anglers should focus on topwater fishing and use slides, popper baits, and small crankbaits. Like all types of bass, Guadalupe become more aggressive during their spawning periods, and using a buzzing bug and spinnerbaits works to provoke bites. With this rare bass species, anglers should focus on small baits and lures. Guadalupe also make great fly-fishing targets, too.

Current IGFA Record

  • Weight: 3 lbs. 11 oz
  • Location: Lake Travis, Austin, Texas
  • Catch Date: September 25, 1983
  • Angler: Allen Christensen, Jr.

Shoal Bass

(M. cataractae)

 

 

 

Shoal bass are most like spotted bass and a member of the sunfish family. It’s native to the subtropical waters in Florida and Georgia. The Flint River is the best spot to find shoal bass in Georgia. Also, the Chattahoochee and Ocmulgee Rivers have solid Shoal bass populations. Shoal bass are dark and olive green with scales on the base portion of their connected dorsal fins. Their upper jaw doesn’t extend past their eyes, and its most distinctive feature is its dark spot.

This bass species ranges 12-24 inches long and the most common size is 2 lbs. A 5 lb. Shoal bass are considered a trophy, but the IGFA record is 8 lbs. These bass feed on crayfish, fish, and aquatic insects on the surface. They’ll also eat pretty much anything and can put up a stronger fight because of their stamina.

Shoal bass are a popular target for fly fishing. Anglers should look for current breaks by flowing water and areas on the bank behind trees. Deepwater bend spots with large boulders are excellent places to look as well. The best lures to catch shoal bass are soft plastics. A plastic worm is another go-to, along with buzzbaits, jigs, and jerkbaits. The top flies for shoal bass are topwater poppers, wooly buggers, and crayfish patterns. Time of day also plays a role in shoal bass fishing. Expect to see the most action at dawn or right after sunset.

Current IGFA Record

  • Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz
  • Location: Apalachicola River, Florida
  • Catch Date: October 23, 1977
  • Angler: Carl Davis

Suwannee Bass

(M. notius)

 

 

True to its name, the Suwannee bass is native to the Suwanee River drainage in northern Florida and the Ochlocknee River system extending into Georgia. They like fast-flowing water with rocky shoal areas in large springs. It’s currently designated a “Species of Special Concern” because of its limited range. Suwannee bass have bright blue coloring on their breast, cheeks, and ventral parts. It also has heavy blotches with dark patches on each side.

Suwannee bass feed on aquatic insects and small crustaceans, and as they grow larger, they start feeding mostly on crayfish. For size, these bass weigh around 12 oz and rarely exceed 10 inches. For fishing, popular baits and lures are small crayfish-colored spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms, jigs, and crayfish.

Current IGFA Record

  • Weight: 3 lbs. 14 oz
  • Location: Suwannee River, Florida
  • Catch Date: March 2, 1985
  • Angler: Ronnie Everett

Other Bass Species

With the top bass species covered, here are a few you’ve probably never heard of. Some of these species are hybrids, and most are limited to small geographic areas.

Florida Largemouth bass (M. salmoides floridanus).

  • Native to Florida
  • Widely stocked in other southern and western states
  • Known for its rapid growth and large size

Northern Largemouth Bass (M. salmoides),

  • Northern states in the U.S.
  • Grows slowly
  • Smaller size

Here are scientifically recognized bass, only a few anglers will ever encounter:

Cahaba bass (M. cahabae)

  • Limited to Cahaba River System
  • Central Alabama

Chattahoochee bass (M. chattahoochae)

  • Chattahoochee River system
  • Western Georgia

Choctaw bass (M. haiaka)

  • Southern Alabama
  • Northern Florida
  • Rivers and ponds only in these two states

Tallapoosa bass (M. tallapoosae)

  • Tallapoosa River
  • East-central Alabama

Warrior bass (M. warriorensis)

  • Black Warrior River system
  • Eastern Alabama

IGFA Recognized Hybrid Bass

Smallmouth x Alabama (M. dolomieu x henshalli)

  • Current Record
    • Weight: 6 lbs., 5 oz
    • Location: Pickwick Lake, Tennessee
    • Catch Year: 2020

Smallmouth x Spotted Hybrid (M. dolomieu x punculatus)

  • Current Record
    • Weight: 8 lbs., 8 oz
    • Location: Veterans Lake in Oklahoma
    • Catch Year: 2006

Guadalupe x Smallmouth Hybrid

  • Current Record
    • Weight: 4 lbs., 3 oz
    • Location: Blanco River in Texas
    • Catch Year: 1995

Whether you’re a new or seasoned freshwater angler, AFTCO gear has you covered from head to toe so you can focus on fishing. Check out our species spotlight blogs here to learn more about other freshwater species and where to find them.

Blog posts