| Bass fishing has suddenly become one of the | | | | The first spotted bass found in biologists' shocking |
| most popular sports in town. Almost everyone is | | | | surveys didn't show up until 1998, so their |
| talking about it that you can?t resist not asking | | | | numbers have increased quite quickly. Spotted |
| about it and trying it for yourself as well. | | | | bass only average 9 or 10 inches in length in this |
| It may be the promise of fun and excitement of | | | | site. Something like 15 percent of the spotted |
| bass fishing that keeps many people hooked on it. | | | | bass in the lake are more than 15 inches long. |
| There are also countless television shows today | | | | At first glance, spotted bass are almost impossible |
| that concentrate on bass fishing a lot that is why | | | | to differentiate from largemouths. Spotted bass |
| you can?t help learning more things about it. | | | | usually have a sandpaper-like tooth patch on the |
| Learning about it is enjoyable and you can hire a | | | | tongue, which the latter lack. Also, the rear of the |
| guide to help you catch fish, as well as teach you | | | | jaw does not extend behind the eye as it does in |
| about catching them, then later on you?re going | | | | largemouths, and lastly, the spiny and soft dorsal |
| to develop your own ideas and formulate theories | | | | fins are connected with a shallow notch not |
| on having the best fish. | | | | reaching all the way to the body. |
| There?s a lot of bass clubs where you can join in | | | | Largemouths weighs between ? pound and 1 |
| and numerous fishing tournaments that you can | | | | pound, but about half the bass in the population |
| try. Lots of money awaits you especially in joining | | | | are more than 15 inches long. While the real giants |
| prestigious tournaments where a big deal of | | | | are less common than they once were, the |
| money is at stake. | | | | population is well balanced and fish in a good range |
| Several states are now ?hooked? and ?addicted? | | | | of sizes are well represented. |
| to bass fishing and Georgia is considered to be | | | | In Middle Georgia, Lake Jackson is well thought-out |
| among the best in the world in terms of this | | | | to be one of the oldest reservoirs. The lake is an |
| newly-found sport. | | | | outstanding trophy bass lake. Over the years, its |
| Catching a spotted bass (also called ?spots?) | | | | waters have produced countless |
| which is about 4 pounds can already be | | | | double-digit-weight largemouths, and the lake |
| considered to be a trophy since the average one | | | | record stands at 14 pounds, 7 ounces. |
| weighs about only a pound, though spots of this | | | | Lake Jackson lead away the waters of the |
| kind is really that unusual in the deep waters of | | | | Alcovy, South and Yellow rivers where they join |
| Georgia. Bass of this kind are often inhabiting deep | | | | at the head of the Ocmulgee River and is located |
| and clear waters. | | | | about 45 miles southeast of Atlanta. It is no |
| Spotted bass are strong fighters, and many | | | | longer the trophy bass factory that it once was. |
| anglers feel that spots are the most spirited black | | | | Nevertheless, it remains a great place for finding |
| bass species. Although spotted bass do not grow | | | | good fishing for decent-sized largemouths, with a |
| as big as largemouths and are not as acrobatic as | | | | few spotted bass thrown in as a bonus. It also |
| smallmouths, a good spotted bass on the end of | | | | remains as one among the known lakes in the |
| the line gives you a fight to remember. | | | | central part of the state, both because of its |
| Lake Lanier would probably be the first thing that | | | | proximity to the Atlanta metropolitan area and |
| would come to mind when one speaks of Georgia | | | | because of its time-earned angling reputation. |
| spotted bass. In 1985, Lake Lanier was able to | | | | In not more than 30 miles from Lake Jackson, |
| spot an 8 pounds, ? ounce spotted bass. This has | | | | there situated another lake known to be Oconee, |
| set a state-record in Georgia but continued to | | | | which has also gained recognition and had become |
| have contenders since then. | | | | a favored destination of fishermen especially from |
| Spotted bass are common in central and North | | | | the Atlanta area, and similarly serves up fast |
| Georgia in areas drained by the Coosa, | | | | black bass action. |
| Chattahoochee and Savannah River systems. But | | | | Georgia has really a lot to offer when it comes to |
| there are still some notable exceptions. | | | | bass fishing so better check it out yourself if you |
| In addition to that, spots are currently making up | | | | want to experience the beauty and fascination of |
| about 25 percent of the black bass population in | | | | being involved with bass fishing. |
| Lake Jackson, and their prevalence is increasing. | | | | |