BY DREW GREGORY
FISHING ALONG THE FALL LINE. PHOTO: JASON STUTTS
THE BULL SHAD
BAGS A BIG ONE. PHOTO: JASON STUTTS
A FABULOUS, FLORIDA-STRAIN
LARGEMOUTH. PHOTO: JERRY MCBRIDE
N
o other region can touch the southeast. Out of the eight black bass species in North America, seven are found within Georgia’s state borders. The fishing diversity is unmatched. Just a short distance from home, anglers can target smallmouth bass, shoal bass, Suwannee bass, redeye bass, spotted bass, Alabama (spotted) bass and both strains of largemouth bass, northern and Florida.
The Appalachian Mountains are the key to the water in the southeast, because that is where it begins its journey to the coasts, through amazing river and lake fisheries along the way. The beautiful clear water rushes over boulders capturing an abundance of oxygen. It’s here the rare redeye bass thrives. As the water makes its way through the rolling hills of the piedmont region, the climate warms, providing a longer growing season for bass, speeding them to lunker proportions. And the beauty is that, because of intermittent rapids, most of the rivers in this region are only accessible by kayak. That’s where you’ll find the rare shoal bass. Its scientific name, Micropterus catarac- tae, literally means “fish of the waterfalls.” The waters of the coastal plain, especially in Florida, boast abundant plant life: lily pads, coon tail, hydrilla and eel grass. The growing season is year round, making for big fish such as the giant Florida strain largemouth and the beautiful Suwannee bass. Is a perfect 10 kayak bass fishing area the mountains, the di- verse piedmont, or the warm coastal plain? It’s a trick question, because the lucky southeast has all three.
The name Drew Gregory is synonymous with kayak bass fishing—and rivers. Gregory is a staffer and design consultant for Jackson Kayak, and the founder and driving force behind the Riverbassin’ Tournament Trail.
For big bass, throw the Mike Bucca Bull Shad, a hard-bodied swimbait available in five- and six-inch models. A remarkably realistic swimmer, it’ll turn on its tail with a pause and twitch of the rod tip. Pitch it at cover and work fast current. The Bull Shad works especially well in the south- east, where larger forage fish such as the gizzard shad are common. —Jason Stutts
BASS BATTLEWAGON
The southeast’s diverse bass fisheries demand a versatile platform such as the Jackson Kayak Coosa. It excels on the rivers, but can also hold its own on the lakes. The ability to stand allows for sight fishing and longer casts, huge advantages during the pre-spawn and spawn periods. —Drew Haerer
DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT
A digital or video camera. Spring is the one of the best times to catch a giant bass. You’ll want to show it off to your fishing buddies. —DH
FAVORITE BASS FISHERIES
Georgia’s Flint River: The rare shoal bass, “the smallmouth of the south,” and spec- tacular tumbling piedmont fall-line scenery, make this a premier kayak destination.
The Santa Fe River: With natural springs along the way, easy paddling, great fishing and the rare Suwannee bass, the Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint. —JS
www.kayakanglermag.com… 31
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