Kentucky spots

[Chris]

We have tons of info on this forum on smallmouth and largemouth. What about spots? We don't talk much about this power hitter here on the forum. What are some tactics that work for you?  

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Downsize, downsize, downsize.  Small worm on a jighead.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Forgot to say that I only fish for them a handful of times a year.  That combo always seems to produce though.  I haven't tried dropshotting, but will for sure next year.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Are spots so different from LM that a different game plan would be called for?

We don't have them around me and I always assumed they were just like a different strain of LM

[basspro48]

Spots are pretty aggressive under the right conditions. You have to throw baits that will make them bite, like jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, and jighead worms.

You can pick up a lot of info. on Kentucky Spot fishing from the Smith Lake Basmaster E-50 tournament.

[roadwarrior]

Although Kentucky bass look very similar to largemouth, they are genetically more closely related to smallmouth bass. Although you often find them in the same areas as largemouth, their preferred habitat is linked to that of it's cousin the smallmouth. Generally, spots are schooling fish, seem to prefer deeper, cooler water and hard bottoms and rocks. Although they tend to be smaller than largemouth, the only World Record bass ever caught in a professional tournament was a Kentucky bass landed by the Yamamoto team in California a couple of years ago (Senko #187).

In the Mid South they are usually caught while fishing for other species except in the late spring and early summer when they are found in spawning concentrations. On the reserviors of the White River they are targeted, along with white bass feeding on huge schools of baitfish (generally shad minnows). Topwater action can be dramatic, but Siver Buddies, Rat-L-Traps, silver spoons, Rapalas , Pointers and just about anything white or silver seems to work. As the summer progresses, Kentucky bass will generally be found in deeper water, but continue to hound baitfish and will occasionally appear on top.

Baits to use are standard bass baits. I have personally had tremendous success on rocky points fishing purple worms. The key is finding the fish, but once you do, stick with it. There are usually hundreds of fish in these schools

[Guest DavidGreen]

I have chased the state record (4.74lb) for better than three years on some of the clearer waters here in Kansas (the best I have done is 4.0lb). I have been slow rolling spinner baits on wind blown rocky points, the colors I have been using are 3/8oz single and tandem colorado blades in nickel, shirts have been all white, white/chart, and silver tinsel. The one in the pick (3.96lb) was taken in 5' of dark water just on the eddy side of a windy point slow rolling a chart/white single #5 colorado (lots of thump) water temp in the low 60's...

;D [br]

[Triton_Mike]

ahhhh a topic dear to my heart ~>  There are only a few of us guides that actualy specialize in just Spotted Bass so I guess that kinda makes them unique and special in my eyes.  Instead of rambling along on tactics that catch spotted bass I'll fwd you to an article I wrote a while back on the behavioral aspect of the fish so that you can catch more spots on your next trip.  

http://www.insideline.net/2004/wolfpack.htm

T Mike

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Couldn't ask for a better string of replies, thanks guys.

reelmech- That's some "wide-open" sharing there,..appreciate that.  Good luck in your hunt.

[Will]

A friend from my bass club caught the state record Kentucky bass, but let it go. He caught it during a club tourney then they weighed it, but got the Kentucky and Smallmouth record weights mixed up so he let it swim free. ReelMech, what lakes you fishing at if you don't mind telling? My friend caught his at Marion County Lake, I think thats the lakes name.

[Guest DavidGreen]

Will,

The one in the pic is from Harvey County East, they (DFG) kept saying they didn't have any spots in it, until I started targeting them and catching them...;D

Yeah that is the lake that holds the state record is Marion County Lake. That is the body I have chased them around on for 3 years......

Record Info....

Bass, Spotted (Kentucky)

Clarence E. McCarter, Wichita

4 lbs., 7 oz. - 18 1/2 "

April 16, 1977 - Marion County Lake

Fly rod with medium popper

[roadwarrior]

Triton_Mike also has a great article in the current "Inside Line" (Sept/Oct '05):

Spot Shottin' With Flat Tails.

[Triton_Mike]

Roadwarrior ,  Thanks for your kind words .  I'm fixing to go Spot Shottin here in a second ~  

T Mike

[justtrying]

guys,

we don't have spots (or smallmouth) here in these coastal rivers of SC. ..And, i usually don't complain about it, but, after reading that article & thinking about a SCHOOL of fish racing toward the surface to see which one could get the bait first----- Wow, that must be some site...and, some excitement!