I finally introduced myself to some Spotted Bass.

[Darth-Baiter]

what a cool fish.  total fighters.  they point their noses towards the bottom and kick hard for freedom.  and once netted, they still think they have a chance at escape.  they thrash about in the net.  once I grab them, yup - again, with the freedom charge.  they jerk about in my hand until I finally release them.  their seemingly innocuous teeth wore into my finger and really roughed it up.  haha.  my thumb was tattered.

 

we hit Shasta Lake in northern CA, and had a blast.  I never found the big spots I was dreaming about, but we got into them.  I got some tiny 7" fish that fought way above their weight class.  there was no telling what I was hauling in.

 

the water is so low, and the summer weather is upon that lake. it was a scorcher.  that lake is going to get much lower in water level before it gets a fresh recharge.  I like the lake, and hope it has a rainstorm this winter to fill it back up.

[TnRiver46]

The meanest of  game fish (bowfin is even meaner)

[Functional]

Never caught spots until my inlaws bought in lake gaston NC. Just caught 3 today from shore and there were always 2 other spots of equal size or larger attacking the fish I was reeling in trying to eat the worm/jig out of its mouth. Followed all the way up to shore. Was incredible to see. 

[scaleface]

I like catching spotted bass .  I try to get to the Ozarks once a year and always happy  to see them show up .

[Darth-Baiter]

19 hours ago, Functional said:

Never caught spots until my inlaws bought in lake gaston NC. Just caught 3 today from shore and there were always 2 other spots of equal size or larger attacking the fish I was reeling in trying to eat the worm/jig out of its mouth. Followed all the way up to shore. Was incredible to see. 

That is wild. I see them act up on my fish finder when I hook one of their buddies. 

[GreenPig]

They're definitely great fighters. What kills me is hooking and fighting a 1 or 2 lb Spot and watching a 4 or 5 lb Spot darting around it. 

[TheBasslayer]

Nice! There aren't any spotted bass where I live, so I hope that someday I'll get into them!

[lo n slo]

On 6/6/2021 at 4:42 PM, GreenPig said:

They're definitely great fighters. What kills me is hooking and fighting a 1 or 2 lb Spot and watching a 4 or 5 lb Spot darting around it. 

that’s the story of my life

[Functional]

On 6/9/2021 at 9:52 PM, lo n slo said:

that’s the story of my life

 

Yup, I probably spend a lot more time at a spot than I should after its cooled down trying to catch that one big one that followed the others up. Always seems hungry but never when its free for the taking!