Redeye bass, sometimes known as shoal, are notable for their red eyes with a deep bronze back and green or brown bars on the sides. They also have a blue tone underneath but the fish colors can vary according to where the fish is spotted. The young bass have a brick red dorsal and anal fin.

These are freshwater fish belonging to the sunfish species and come from the family of Micropterus coosae.
Most frequently the redeye can be found in Michigan, Tennessee, Colorado, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina. The Apalachicola River runs through Georgia and this may be where the Redeye Shoal got its name.
These fish will jump hooks and fight aggressively when captured which makes them often difficult to catch and great sport among seasoned bass fishermen.

Fly fishing for the redeye is possible in the larger streams where you have enough room to cast. They will eagerly hit dry flies and bugs. Although they mainly feed on surface insects, they are also attracted to crayfish, worms, surface lures, minnows, and small spinners. But the crayfish seems to be the most popular by far.

They usually live in small rocky streams and can be found near headwaters and areas where 65 degree water temperatures are pretty constant. They are not usually found in natural lakes or ponds.
The largest redeye bass are a little over 8 pounds, although they are actually the smallest in the bass family. The average weight is usually much less than 5 pounds, about 1 pound is considered a good catch. They are very slow growing, taking up to 10 years to reach full maturity.

Anything that jerks and splashes will attract these bass as they hunt mostly by sight and sound. If it moves they consider it food. They are very sharp predators and will especially attack a bass bug which imitates a living creature that is struggling on the water's surface. Flies that make themselves appear vulnerable will usually be very successful.
When you are planning a bass fishing trip you can find good guides online. The guides can take you on tours around the lakes where your particular type of fish swims. If you are just looking to catch the redeye, then a good fishing guide would be your best bet and will know just where to catch them.

Redeye bass can be good eating with white, flaky meat, however, it is better to usually catch and release as they grow very slowly and the chances of ever catching a full grown one would diminish as their numbers would dwindle. If you can catch some that are over a pound, you might want to keep a few. Over a pound would be a good catch for the redeye.

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Top Water Bass Fishing Tips

It's 5:30am and you're already on the water. The water is like glass and all is quiet around you. Next to you in the boat is a cooler filled with your favorite beverage (whether it's beer or Pepsi is up to you!). As you approach your favorite hole, you pick up your rod and tie on a surface lure. You cast your line toward the shore and present your topwater offering.

All of a sudden, the water explodes and you are in the battle of your life with a lunker largemouth! He feels like he goes maybe 3 or 4 pounds. As you get him boat side, you reach down and lift him out of the water. Larger than you expected, around 5 pounds! You turn and drop your prize into the live well and prepare for the next cast...

The thrill of topwater bass fishing is addictive. There is a BIG difference between catching that elusive largemouth off the bottom, from the middle or from the surface. Topwater bass fishing is a more visual experience than other types of fishing. There are specific types of rods and lures for topwater bass fishing.

Bass Fishing Rods

Most anglers will tell you that a 6 to 6 ½ foot rod with a medium action will suffice. If the action of the rod is too stiff, you will yank your bait right out of the fish's mouth when you set the hook. A medium action rod is the best fit for topwater bass fishing.

These rods are available in a price range of about to over 0. Do you need to spend a bunch of money on a rod? Regardless of the price tag, medium action is medium action. On the other hand, if you go with a rod, you can expect worth of performance. Chose a rod somewhere in the middle price range and you won't go wrong.

Bass Fishing Lures

When it comes to lures, there are a great many to choose from. Here is a list of the top ten that I have had success with:

1. Heddon's Zara Spook.
2. Custom Bait's Senko.
3. Yum's Floating Worm (with a Texas style rig).
4. Zoom's Superfluke.
5. Heddon's Torpedo.
6. Lazer Eye's Buzzbait
7. Smithwick's Stick Bait aka Hard Jerk Bait.
8. Rebel's Pop-R bait.
9. Snag Proof's Tournament Frog.
10. Any spinner bait. These are manufactured by numerous companies.

All these lures have their own unique presentations. When presented properly, these baits are historically known to produce quality bass. This is true across regional boundaries, weather conditions and water tempuratures.

A Big Bass Fishing Tip

Now you have the rod and the lures you need for topwater bass fishing, there is one more thing you should know. Here it is: Since topwater fishing is a visual type of fishing, most anglers will set the hook too soon and jerk the lure right out of the fish's mouth. To prevent this, do NOT set the hook immediately when you see the strike! Wait a second, reel in some slack and when you feel the pressure of the bass on the line, THEN set the hook. You will boat more lunkers that way and be a much happier fisherman to boot.

Stephen Long is an author for Sportsmans Article Resource, providing you the latest fishing and hunting tips and techniques for the outdoorsman. Sportsmans article resource is an article resource directory for free online articles.

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