Shoal Bass”The Southeast’s Least Known Bass

Posted by admin on July 19th, 2011 filed in Uncategorized

Only first described as a separate species in 1999, the shoal bass is an excellent freshwater game fish found throughout the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Fortunately, the relative anonymity of the shoal bass doesn’t mean that it is difficult to find. In fact, it is quite common near rock shoals in the Chipola and Apalachicola Rivers.
While easily confused with the redeye bass in these waters, shoal bass lack the white fin margins and paler coloration of their similar cousins. Both fish grow to around 18 in in length, and the shoal bass is quickly becoming a popular target for fly fishers of all stripes. While fly lures will often prove successful given the bass’ natural habit of feeding on surface insects, the fish can also be caught by a variety of bait including worms and crayfish.
As they are often found in the swirling currents and eddies that mark their chosen habitats, shoal bass can often be quite fun to catch, and they usually put up an impressive fight for their middling size. The best fishing spots for these fish are often difficult to access, however, so it may be wise to venture out in a kayak or a canoe.