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Photo: Drewrmorgan, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Micropterus cataractae
How to catch Shoal bass
Shoal bass feed in 50–88°F water and bite best at 62–80°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 3 waters; in October they are at their peak in Florida fresh water, Georgia fresh water, Alabama fresh water.
30 pts · trophy at 18"Feeds 50–88°FBest 62–80°FIn season nowRiverCreek / stream
About
The river bass of the Apalachicola and the Chipola in the Panhandle, a bronze fighter of the rocky shoals and the current that hits a topwater like a smallmouth. Rare, and worth the drive.
How to fish it
Wade or float the Chipola's shoals; a topwater at dawn along the rock, a crayfish imitation the rest of the day.
What it eats
topwater at dawncrayfish crankbaitsflies
Live bait for it
Grass shrimpTwo or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells.What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
Hook#2–3/0
Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
Braid10–30 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereWithin the black bass limit; catch-and-release encouraged — confirm at MyFWC.
The current rule →Where it is, month by month
PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving
Fresh water by state