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Alabama Bass

Alabama Bass

Alabama Bass are an invasive species now widely distributed throughout Alabama's waters, having spread far beyond their native Mobile River basin. Originally considered a subspecies of Spotted Bass, they were elevated to full species status in 2008.

Scientific Name: Micropterus henshalli

Physical Characteristics:
  • Alabama Bass are nearly identical in appearance to Spotted Bass, with dark blotchy lateral bands from head to tail, spots below the band, and jaws that align with the middle rear of the eye.
  • They typically have 68-84 lateral line scales and often possess a tooth patch on their tongue.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Alabama Bass prefer clear, deep water habitats with rocky substrates and are less abundant in turbid waters with sand or mud bottoms.
  • Juveniles favor gravel and cobble substrates similar to smallmouth bass rather than the woody debris preferred by largemouth bass juveniles.

Key Locations

  • In Alabama, they inhabit major river systems including the Tennessee River (Wheeler, Guntersville, Pickwick lakes), Coosa River, Tallapoosa River, Black Warrior River, and numerous reservoirs.
  • On the Tennessee River system (Wheeler, Guntersville, Pickwick), focus on bluff walls, shell beds, and offshore humps.
  • The Coosa River between Rainbow City and Riverside offers excellent current-based fishing around cliff walls and whitewater riffles.

Specific Spots

  • Target clear, deeper waters with rocky substrates, main lake points, ledges, and current breaks on major river systems.
  • Focus on bluff walls, shell beds, and offshore humps.
  • Fish current seams, points leading into spawning pockets, and transitions from rock to clay bottoms.

Alabama Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Alabama Bass in Alabama?

Top lure choices include swimbaits on 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigheads (Keitech Fat Swing Impact, XZone Swammer, Damiki Armor Shad), football jigs in 1/2 oz, Alabama rigs with multiple swimbaits, lipless crankbaits like Rat-L-Traps, and deep-diving crankbaits for ledge fishing.

When is the best time to fish for Alabama Bass in Alabama?

Spring being optimal when they're actively feeding before spawning in April. Target depths of 15-25 feet in winter, moving shallow in spring, then back to deeper structure in summer heat.

How do you catch Alabama Bass in Alabama?

Work baits slowly in winter, increasing retrieve speed as water warms. Fish current seams, points leading into spawning pockets, and transitions from rock to clay bottoms.

What do Alabama Bass eat?

These aggressive predators are primarily piscivorous, with diets consisting mainly of crayfish (75% by weight), small shad under 70mm (68% numerically), sunfishes, and crappie.

Where do Alabama Bass live in Alabama?

Alabama Bass prefer clear, deep water habitats with rocky substrates and are less abundant in turbid waters with sand or mud bottoms. Juveniles favor gravel and cobble substrates similar to smallmouth bass rather than the woody debris preferred by largemouth bass juveniles.

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