Redeye Bass

Redeye bass are scrappy fighters and are known to be fairly elusive to anglers.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A REDEYE BASS

The red color of the eyes and fins easily distinguish this species from other bass. Suwannee and shoal bass also have bright red eyes but do not possess the same amount of red coloration on their fins. Overall the redeye bass generally has a brownish green color and vertical bars with light centers along their sides. Their backs are typically bronze to olive in color and have dark green mottling with a yellow to white color towards the belly. There is also a prominent dark spot on the gill cover which helps identify this fish. Redeye bass have scales on the base portion of the soft-rayed dorsal fins which are clearly connected to the first and second set of dorsal fins. The upper portion of the jaw bone (or maxilla) extends to the back of, but not past, their red eyes.

 

WHERE TO CATCH REDEYE BASS

One of the black basses, the redeye bass is truly native to only a few rivers in South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama but has been successfully introduced to neighboring areas. Compared to other bass found in the same regions, this species is not as common and tends to prefer cooler streams and lakes.Redeye bass are found in areas of rocky bottoms as well as in pools and creeks in small to medium sized rivers. They are seldom found in natural lakes or ponds because of the lack of flowing water, which this species seeks out. Redeye bass prefer cooler water and typically spawn in late spring to early summer. These fish will only spawn in creeks and rivers where the water flow is substantial. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

 

CLIFFS AND STEEP SHORE BANKS           INLETS AND OUTLETS

PIERS, DOCKS AND PILINGS                   ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS

MERGING CURRENTS                                     SPRING HOLES

CURRENT EDGES                                           HOLES

OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES                 RIVERS AND STREAMS

ROCKS                                                SHORELINE SHALLOWS

SUNKEN OBJECTS

 

HOW TO CATCH REDEYE BASS

Redeye bass feed primarily on insects that have fallen on the surface but will also prey upon smaller fish and crayfish. They can be taken on natural baits like worms and minnows as well as artificial lures like small spoons, spinner baits and plugs. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING                                     TROLLING

STILL FISHING                                      FLY FISHING

BAIT CASTING

 

REDEYE BASS LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

FLIES                                                   JIGS

PLUGS                                                SPINNER BAITS

INSECTS                                                       MINNOWS

SOFT PLASTICS                                              SPOONS