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Redeye Bass

Redeye Bass

These small but scrappy bass are quite different from rock bass that many anglers also call 'redeye.' They are considered uncommon, making them a special catch for anglers seeking a completely wild, native fish experience.

Scientific Name: Micropterus coosae

Physical Characteristics:
  • Redeye bass are characterized by their brick-red eyes and fins, bronze-olive coloration with dark olive mottling, yellowish-white to bluish-white bellies, and distinctive white margins on upper and lower tail fins.
  • They typically grow 8-12 inches, with a 12+ inch fish considered a true trophy that could be over a decade old, growing roughly one inch per year.
  • During spawning season, males develop vibrant blue hues on their cheeks and become particularly aggressive while guarding nests.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Redeye Bass in Tennessee are native only to the Conasauga River system in extreme Southeast Tennessee, where they represent the true Coosa Bass subspecies.
  • They have been successfully stocked in streams on the Cumberland Plateau and Highland Rim streams, establishing natural populations in isolated areas.
  • They prefer clear, cool flowing streams with rocky substrate and moving current, occupying smaller headwater streams during summer months but moving downstream during colder seasons.
  • Redeye bass are found in isolated areas throughout Tennessee.

Key Locations

  • Target them in smaller headwater streams on the Cumberland Plateau and Highland Rim areas where they've been stocked, as well as the native Conasauga River system in Southeast Tennessee.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on rocky runs, pools, plunge pools below small waterfalls, seams where fast and slow water meet, and tailouts below shoal complexes.

Redeye Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Redeye Bass in Tennessee?

Small jointed crankbaits, square bill crankbaits, small spinnerbaits, buzz baits, small poppers, and torpedo-style lures with propellers imitate surface forage effectively. A 3-4 inch soft plastic worm on a small shaky head or small minnow baits like cranks and spinners work when fish are deeper.

What flies work for Redeye Bass in Tennessee?

Topwater flies being most effective. Yellow poppers and chartreuse patterns work exceptionally well in early summer, while oranges, blues, greens, and blacks excel in July-August. The Sam's One Bug, hoppers, and dragonfly imitations are cult favorites among Redeye anglers. Size 6-10 hooks work best for poppers.

When is the best time to fish for Redeye Bass in Tennessee?

The best time to fish for Redeye Bass in Tennessee is April through September, with peak activity during summer months. Spawning occurs when water temperatures reach 62-68°F, typically between April and June in Tennessee.

How do you catch Redeye Bass in Tennessee?

Fish around moving current rather than stagnant pools, casting to calm pockets between rocks where bass hover waiting for food to drift downstream. Wet wading with good boots is recommended for accessing remote streams where these bass thrive.

What do Redeye Bass eat?

These bass are opportunistic predators feeding largely on terrestrial insects (over 50% of their diet), but also consume aquatic insects, crayfish, fish e.g.gs, salamanders, and small fish.

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