Bob Rice, publisher of The Angler Magazine’s Atlanta/North Georgia edition, and I took the angler’s seats in the raft while Jake pulled the oars and directed us to good numbers of shoal bass, some colorful redear sunfish, bluegills and spotted bass. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are dark olive green to grayish black.

Brian has had incredible days on the water with clients catching 45 plus fish a day!
Jake Darling, of Unicoi Outfitters out of Helen, Ga., is turning people on to a great summer and early fall shoal bass fishery on upper ’Hooch. 27 years as a professional guide gives him unique knowledge and insight into fishing the Flint River. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to look for new Bass lures that are going to nail a big Bass. Shoal Bass feed mainly on aquatic insects on the surface. This is the recipe for shoal bass on the upper end of Georgia’s Chattahoochee River. They live their lives swimming against the current, darting from eddies and seams to feed on crayfish, insects and baitfish. If you want to get the best experience fishing on the river then you will want to go with a professional guide. There’s nothing like the excitement of 2-pound bass exploding on top before bulldogging a bend into a 5-weight fly rod. Some have been known to reach more than eight pounds. Early in my career, my …. Current conditions Water clarity 2’ Water…. To catch a shoal bass you’ll need live bait—crayfish, crickets and worms have proven most effective. You can pick up your area’s local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. Bait that got the job done today Topwater Prop Baits and KVD jerkbaits Let’s get you…, Chris, Flow, and Phillip landed a few beautiful Flint river shoal bass today despite the tough conditions. Going with a Flint River fishing guide who has fished this river their whole life will give you the edge you need for success. It took me awhile to realize it. You can stick with your small spinnerbaits, crankbaits, … The Shoal Bass is becoming increasingly uncommon in the Apalachicola and Chipola Rivers because so few shoals exist and competition with non-native Spotted Bass has increased. They live their lives swimming against the current, darting from eddies and seams to feed on crayfish, insects and baitfish. Shoal Bass in Moving Water. There are actually 9 recognized species including Alabama bass, Florida bass, Guadalupe bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, shoal bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and Suwannee bass.

They require a free-flowing, rocky environment. Because of their size and favored habitat, shoal bass are good for catching on ultralight spinning or fly-fishing tackle. They might not have the size of larger black bass cousins, but they make up for it with pulling power. Unfortunately, man-made hydro-power plants and waterfront properties are destroying their natural habitat. © My Fishing Place Pty. Moving water puts extra muscle on fish, and shoal bass are a perfect example of this. If you are unsure where the best spots are to catch a shoal, Flint River fishing guides will be the help that you need. The Shoal Bass is a fish that is exclusively native to the subtropical waters of Georgia, Florida, and eastern Alabama. It came all the way out of the water to cream a Double Barrel Bass Bug popped through an eddy. They also feed on larval insects, crayfish and fish. They might not have the size of larger black bass cousins, but they make up for it with pulling power. It is also known in the Chattahoochee river drainage; and is most plentiful in the relatively undammed Flint River of Georgia, as well as lakes such as Blackshear and West Point. The practice of fly fishing for Shoal Bass is becoming more widespread. How To Choose The Best Bass Lures Lure Heaven. Some might argue they are better sport than all three. Stone crab season opens Oct. 15 and runs through May 1, 2021. Take the aggression of a largemouth and the fight of a smallmouth; mix them together in gorgeous scenery one might normally associate with trout. The river’s rocky shoals offer perfect habitat for the Chattahoochee’s native river bass. Book a trip with Unicoi Outfitters through their website at www.unicoioutfitters.com.
Anyone who’s fished for shoal bass will tell you they offer the best attributes of largemouths, smallmouths and trout. To catch Shoal Bass, you need to fish near the shoal areas using medium action tackle with 8 to 12 pound(4-6kg) test line. Shoal bass were widespread along the entire course of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin before extensive damming after the 1940s turned the Chattahoochee into a series of large reservoirs along the Georgia/Alabama border. The Flint River offers a unique habitat home to many different kinds of fish, including: It is best to fish from a boat, kayak or canoe because of the current and alligators that inhabit the river. And of course, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and small crankbaits will also get the job done. Moving water puts extra muscle on fish, and shoal bass are a perfect example of this. We are past the dog …, © 2020 Coastal Angler Magazine Franchising, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Fly Fishing the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, Stone Crab Harvest Opens October 15 with Regs Changes. Big streamers fished on intermediate sinking lines. Shoal Bass are closely associated with rock shoals and are uncommon in other habitat due to its unique spawning requirements. The fishing is on fire Not the numbers we like to see but the quality makes up for it. This species was formerly considered either a Redeye Bass or subspecies of the Redeye Bass. As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big Catch" program. Spotted Bass – Spotted bass respond well to the same baits as a largemouth bass would. Fishing Magazine, Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine is your leading source for freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing videos, fishing photos, saltwater fishing. It’s river fishing for a bass that’s as game as gamefish come. Age and Growth – Shoal bass grow much faster than redeye bass. Some have been known to reach more than eight pounds(4kg). He said winter is when they catch big shoalies into the 5-pound range on jigs and soft plastics, but when the water is warm these feisty critters look up to feed.

Declared the most scenic river in all of Georgia, it’s no wonder fishing enthusiasts love Flint River fishing. It stretches for 344 miles throughout the west side of Georgia, 200 of which are unimpeded by dams and other man-made structures. Thanks to the beautiful views, fresh air, and unique species of wildlife, fishing in the Flint River is a must for all outdoors enthusiasts.

The Shoal Bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. Sporting Quality – Is a good game fish and a scrappy fighter that is often difficult to catch.