Freshwater

Spotted bass (Kentucky bass)

Lobina manchada (lobina de Kentucky)

Micropterus punctulatus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

5–40 ft.

Best time

Morning and evening; deeper at midday.

Found in

5 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Looks like a largemouth, but the jaw ends at or before the back of the eye, there are rows of small dark spots below the side stripe (like lines of dots), a rough tooth patch on the tongue, and the two dorsal fins are clearly joined.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 2 ft and around 8 lb. The giant 'spots' of California and Georgia lakes are usually Alabama bass, a close relative.
Diet: Crayfish, small fish and insects.
Behavior: Likes rocky banks, current and deeper, clearer water than the largemouth; often schools.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southeast Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South, Texas & Oklahoma Lakes, Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes and Louisiana & Mississippi Delta. Rivers, streams and reservoirs of the Mississippi and Ohio basins and the Gulf states from West Virginia and Ohio to Texas and the Florida panhandle.
Habitat: Rivers, streams and reservoirs of the Mississippi and Ohio basins and the Gulf states from West Virginia and Ohio to Texas and the Florida panhandle.
Depth: 5–40 ft.
Fishing depth: 8–30 ft on rocky points and bluffs.
Best season: All year; spring and fall are best.
Best time: Morning and evening; deeper at midday.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather and a little wind on the points.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live crayfish and minnows.
Best artificial lures: Shaky-head worms, drop shots, small jigs, crankbaits and small swimbaits.
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: Rivers, streams and reservoirs of the Mississippi and Ohio basins and the Gulf states from West Virginia and Ohio to Texas and the Florida panhandle.
Rig up: Medium spinning or baitcasting rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Live crayfish and minnows. Lures: Shaky-head worms, drop shots, small jigs, crankbaits and small swimbaits.
Fish it: Work finesse baits slowly on rocky points, bluff walls and channel swings.
Time it: Morning and evening; deeper at midday. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Work finesse baits slowly on rocky points, bluff walls and channel swings.
BigJoe's tip: Look for the rows of dots on the lower sides and the jaw that doesn't pass the eye.
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: Many states have separate limits for spotted bass or count them with black bass; check local rules. 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: Healthy and widespread.

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Sources & photo credits