Redeye Bass

Overview

The redeye bass is a hard-fighting stream black bass of the southern Appalachians, prized by anglers who hike small clear rivers for its striking colors and scrappy nature. A true native of the Coosa drainage, it is a coveted catch for black-bass enthusiasts.

Identification

Redeye bass are olive-bronze with a red eye, red-tinged fins, and rows of dark spots, staying smaller than largemouth or smallmouth. Their brick-red eyes and stream habitat are the giveaways.

Range & Habitat

They are native to the cool, clear upland streams and rivers of the Coosa and neighboring drainages in Georgia, Alabama and the southern Appalachians.

Behavior & Diet

Redeye hold in current behind rocks and in pools, ambushing insects, crayfish, small fish and terrestrials that drift by. They rise readily to surface bugs in clear water.

Best Seasons

Best fishing is spring through fall in flowing water, with warm-weather topwater action a highlight in the clear streams.

How to Catch Them

Small crankbaits, spinners, soft plastics and flies drifted and worked through current seams and pools; a stealthy wading approach helps in clear water.

Tackle & Rigs

Light spinning or fly gear, 4-8 lb line, small lures and flies suited to stream fishing.

Landing, Handling & Release

Handle wet-handed and release most fish - stream bass populations are best conserved through catch-and-release.

Table Quality

Edible like other black bass, but most anglers release them to protect native stream populations.

What Costs Anglers Bites

Spooking fish in clear shallow streams and confusing them with young smallmouth.

Regulations & Conservation

A native stream bass with waterbody-specific rules; catch-and-release is encouraged. Confirm current state regulations before keeping fish. We do not give legal advice.

FAQ

What do redeye bass eat? In their native streams they are opportunistic predators of fish and invertebrates, especially adult aquatic and land insects. Larger fish hold in deep, slow pools and smaller ones in shallow, fast riffles. They grow slowly, and together with their vulnerability to angling that could seriously affect their numbers (Wikipedia).

Redeye or smallmouth? Redeye have brick-red eyes and stay small in headwater streams.

Where are they native? The Coosa drainage of the southern Appalachians.