TARGET SPECIES
Alabama Spotted Bass Location: Coosa River Basin, Alabama
Date: June 1, 2012 Weather: Clouds and rain giving way to a hot, sunny day Water Conditions: Stained, substantial wood cover, lots of crayfish B.A.S.S. Length Requirement: 12 inches Don’t Miss: Talladega International Speedway
REDEYE, SAVANNAH RIVER, GA
In eastern Alabama, we met up with local sharpie Tim Perkins, Angler of the Year on the 2011 River Bassin’ Tournament Trail and a 50-year veteran of the Coosa River. Good thing too because the pressure was on. We had one day to catch this species before we had to high-tail it 500 miles back home in time to get to work Monday morning. Alabama spotted bass are only found in a few rivers that run into Mobile Bay. They have dark spots and splotches on the side and grow bigger and fight harder than their northern cousins. We saw firsthand how hard they fight and caught dozens of spots up to four pounds. The best baits were the Premier League Lures River Special spinnerbait, crayfish crankbaits, Tex- as-rigged plastic lizards and SOB buzzbaits. Alabama spots crush the bait; I will definitely be back to chase these brutes again.
TARGET SPECIES Redeye Bass
Location: Savannah River Basin, Georgia and Coosa River Basin, Alabama Date: May 26–27, 2012 Weather: Clear skies, sunny, incredibly hot Water Conditions: Varied depending on location B.A.S.S. Length Requirement: 8 inches Don’t Miss: Broad River Outfitters in Athens, GA
While targeting Alabama spots, we did some river hopping to knock redeye off our list. Before setting off, we dug up info online and talked with kayak fishing friends about the habits and habi- tat of these elusive little bass. Crowds of people tubing and rafting down the Savannah made it hard to focus on fishing. In Georgia, the water was clear. In Alabama we fished a muddy creek. These fish aren’t big, but their white-tipped fins make them striking. In the clearer water, they were hitting small Rapala jerkbaits and flies. The minimum size was only eight inches, but we caught a couple trophies over 12 inches.
TARGET SPECIES Smallmouth Bass
Location: New River, Virginia Date: July 7, 2012 Weather: Clear skies, sunny, breezy Water Conditions: Clear, some weeds, typical summer flow B.A.S.S. Length Requirement: 12 inches Don’t Miss: New River Outdoor Company in Pembroke
I was amped to fish the New River for the first time, a world-famous smallmouth des- tination. Smallies are called bronzebacks due to their distinctive dark green and gold color. I knew that many of the best holes are only accessible by kayak, promising virgin territory for big smallies. Getting a bite was tough at first, but we figured out that they wanted either weightless four- inch Yamamoto senkos or four and a half inch Roboworms drop shot fished along the current seams. It was golden from then on. We didn’t land any giants, but we had a blast catching fish up to 16 inches. Smallmouth bass put up a big fight.
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AL SPOTTED BASS, COOSA RIVER BASIN, AL
SAVANNAH RIVER, GA
SMALLMOUTH, NEW RIVER, VA
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