spotted bass Spotted Bass Information

[TriCityBassin']

Ok, let's see all you have on the topic!

There is very little clear definitive information on Spotted Bass in Winter.  I have two small rivers and a lake near me in VA that have spotted bass.  I am planning a trip (early January) to fish in the lake.  The lake is predominantly Largies but has a pop of Spots.  I caugh one accidentally last year while fishing a suspending jerkbait near a bridge.

I know that spots act differently from all the other species in winter but that is all I can really figure out.

 

do they suspend or hug the bottom?

will they be located in the same areas I typically look for largemouths?

do they chase or is it still a crawl fluttering presentation also?

 

help help help!

 

[Bluebasser86]

The spots that are in the lakes I fish tend to hold in much deeper water than largemouth do during the winter. They really like to suspend and follow the balls of shad around. Swimming a grub, A-rigs, jigging spoons, jigging Raps, and drop shots are popular ways to get to them when they're deep, but it's hard to beat a suspending jerkbait during a warm front when they'll move shallower. 

 

 

[TriCityBassin']

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The spots that are in the lakes I fish tend to hold in much deeper water than largemouth do during the winter. They really like to suspend and follow the balls of shad around. Swimming a grub, A-rigs, jigging spoons, jigging Raps, and drop shots are popular ways to get to them when they're deep, but it's hard to beat a suspending jerkbait during a warm front when they'll move shallower. 

 

 

what water temps are you seeing during these times?  I don't know, but I am planning on mid to upper 40s on my lake.

Thanks for the reply too!

[Bluebasser86]

That's usually what they are here too. Occasionally they'll dip into the high 30's, but they'll still bite even then. 

[Oregon Native]

Have caught a number of spots from California to Tennessee but have mostly fished lakes.  Did fish the Coosa river system and that was cool too.  Small footballs, jerkbaits, spoons, dropshot, .... usually a slower falling bait for me in the cooler months seems to work a bit better.  I would probably have to say fish for them like  you would a smallie in winter.  Give yourself a treat and go to one of the great spot lakes and have a ball.  I have caught the most over the years I think while watching a graph and dropping down to them....sooooo much fun.

P.S. Spots like them bridges

[lo n slo]

all of the above. i like a drop shot or a shakey head on deep structure fished  s l o w l y. they will also school up with largemouth, stripers, and hybrids. have a casting spoon tied on in case you see circling birds. 

 

edit: i love me some spots

[WRB]

There are 2 different strains of Spotted Bass; Northern or Kentucy and Southern or Alabama and we have both in Califirnia. The Kentucy Spots  are small, rarely get over 1 1/2 lbs and very aggressive bass. The Alabama Spots get much larger in fact to record size of 11lbs, average is around 2 3/4 lbs, both strains behave very similar to Smallmouth bass. If you know how to catch Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass should be easy.

Winter it's find baitfish by looking for Griebes or diving fish eating birds and your sonar. When you find a Spots they are aggressive feeders so catching them isn't difficult. Structure spoons if working deep shad schools, drop shot any green worm with chartreuse tail or morning dawn charteuse Roboworms if on structure, underspins with pearl white baby Flukes for casting and retrieving, fairly simple.

Tom

[fishnkamp]

Most of the spots I have caught out in TN were caught near vertical structure. Rocky bluffs, bridges and deeper marinas have given up my fish. I have caught them on shakey head worm rigs, as well as Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers rigged on swimbait jig heads. Also the Big Hammer heads and swimbaits have great action as well. I know lots of anglers that prefer the Keitech baits too. I know the spoons are a favcorite but don't forget baits like silver buddies too.

[TriCityBassin']

On 12/22/2017 at 7:30 AM, Oregon Native said:

Have caught a number of spots from California to Tennessee but have mostly fished lakes.  Did fish the Coosa river system and that was cool too.  Small footballs, jerkbaits, spoons, dropshot, .... usually a slower falling bait for me in the cooler months seems to work a bit better.  I would probably have to say fish for them like  you would a smallie in winter.  Give yourself a treat and go to one of the great spot lakes and have a ball.  I have caught the most over the years I think while watching a graph and dropping down to them....sooooo much fun.

P.S. Spots like them bridges

The reason I know they are in this lake is because I caught one ON A BRIDGE fishing a suspending jerk!!! spot on!!!!

Thank you so much everyone.  You reinforced what i was already thinking and taught me a few totally new things.  As soon as I fix this pesky head gasket I'm breaing my PB.  Not sure which strain we have in VA...but they are commonly 3lbs in this lake and another river.  Def bigger than 1.5 but never seen one over 3.5.

 

But who cares...they are Gorgeous and fight HARD!

[flyfisher]

What everyone else said but i will reiterate to find the baitfish and you will find the spots.  I know one lake i fish here in central VA they don't seem to school up like many experience but when you do find them, you can catch them in all months of the year.  

 

Oh and there are no doubt spots larger than 5lbs around  

[fishnkamp]

It is hared to tell but the fish in my picture is a Kentucky spot (Alabama strain) I caught while fishing Center hill Lake in Tn.  I was fishing with a guide named Craig Powers, he is a FLW angler. The fish weighed over 5 pounds.

 

[Bluebasser86]

It's the Kentucky strain in the Ozark lakes and they regularly get up to 3-3.5 pounds but it's uncommon to catch them much larger than that.