Freshwater

Alabama bass

Lobina de Alabama

Micropterus henshalli

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–4 lb.

Depth

5–60 ft.

Best time

Morning and evening.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Very similar to the spotted bass: green-gold with a dark side stripe broken into blotches, rows of small dark spots on the lower sides, a tooth patch on the tongue and a jaw that ends near the back of the eye. Long treated as a spotted bass, it is now recognized as its own species.
Typical size: 1–4 lb.
Maximum size: Over 11 lb in California reservoirs.
Diet: Shad, crayfish and small fish.
Behavior: Aggressive, schooling bass that roams deep, clear reservoirs chasing shad and blueback herring.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southeast Lakes, Southwest & California Lakes and Texas & Oklahoma Lakes. Native to the Mobile basin of Alabama and Georgia; stocked or spread into California reservoirs (Bullards Bar, Oroville), Lake Lanier and other southeastern lakes, where it can push out native bass.
Habitat: Native to the Mobile basin of Alabama and Georgia; stocked or spread into California reservoirs (Bullards Bar, Oroville), Lake Lanier and other southeastern lakes, where it can push out native bass.
Depth: 5–60 ft.
Fishing depth: 10–40 ft on points and humps.
Best season: All year; winter and spring for big fish.
Best time: Morning and evening.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather; wind on points.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live crayfish and shad.
Best artificial lures: Swimbaits, spoons, drop shots, shaky heads and topwaters over schooling fish.
Tackle setup: Medium spinning or baitcasting rod.
Hook size: 1/0–3/0.
Line: 8–12 lb fluorocarbon.
Leader: Not needed.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Lures Plastics Hooks Box

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Native to the Mobile basin of Alabama and Georgia; stocked or spread into California reservoirs (Bullards Bar, Oroville), Lake Lanier and other southeastern lakes, where it can push out native bass.
Rig up: Medium spinning or baitcasting rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Live crayfish and shad. Lures: Swimbaits, spoons, drop shots, shaky heads and topwaters over schooling fish.
Fish it: Use electronics to find fish on deep points and humps, then drop shot or swim a small swimbait through them.
Time it: Morning and evening. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Use electronics to find fish on deep points and humps, then drop shot or swim a small swimbait through them.
BigJoe's tip: In California, the giant 'spotted bass' you see in photos are Alabama bass.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Mild, white meat; good fried.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Treble hooks; use pliers.
Regulations: Some states treat it as an unwanted invader and allow liberal harvest; never move it to new waters. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Conservation: Illegal stocking has hurt native bass in several states.

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Sources & photo credits