Spotted Bass
Scientific Name: Micropterus punctulatus
Also Known As: Kentucky spotted and Alabama spotted bass.
Where Spotted Bass Live
Spotted bass can be found in Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida.
Within a body of water spotted bass will move throughout the year. Depending on the season, weather conditions, and water clarity they can be found anywhere within the water. We have a helpful guide to help you find bass.
Life Span of Spotted Bass
In the wild spotted bass can live up to 6 years. Older spotted bass can be harder to catch as they have gotten smarter over time and have learned how to distinguish between natural prey and artificial lures.
The Importance of Spotted Bass
Fishing is one of the most popular sport for participation. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 43 percent of freshwater anglers fish for bass. Spotted bass play a big role in bringing in a good chunk of the $60 billion the bass industry generates each year.
How to Identify a Spotted Bass
Coloring
Spotted Bass is most similar to the largemouth Bass. Both have an olive green body with a dark stripe acorss their bodies. It differs from largemouth Bass by having rows of small horizontal blotches on the lower side. Juveniles have a 3-colored caudal fin (orange base, black middle, and white edge).
Physical Features
Spotted bass have a shallow notch between the spiny and soft dorsal fins, while largies have a deep notch. They also have a circular patch of teeth on the tongue while largemouth don’t.
Adult Size & Weight
The average size adult spotted bass 10-15 inches long and weight 1-3 pounds. They can get larger though, the world record is 10.8 lbs.
Estimating Spotted Weight Based on Length
| Spotted Bass Length | Estimated Weight |
|---|---|
| 12 in | .80 lb |
| 13 in | 1.10 lb |
| 14 in | 1.43 lb |
| 15 in | 1.54 lb |
| 16 in | 2.23 lb |
| 17 in | 2.62 lb |
| 18 in | 3 lb |
| 19 in | 3.58 lb |
| 20 in | 4.25 lb |
| 21 in | 5.33 lb |
| 22 in | 6.18 lb |
| 23 in | 7.11 lb |
| 24 in | 8.17 lb |
| 25 in | 9.30 lb |
| 26 in | 10.60 lb |
| 27 in | 11 lb |
Spotted Bass Fishing
Spotted bass are fairly easy to catch once you get your bait in front of them. The best baits for catching them are crawfish, minnows, and artificial lures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spotted Bass
Are spotted bass safe to eat?
Spotted bass are safe to eat and it can be very satisfying eating what you caught yourself. However, they can contain high levels of mercury, or other toxins depending on the levels of pollution in its environment.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people to check for fish advisories for the particular body of water.
Do spotted bass taste good?
Depending on how you prepare a spotted bass they can taste very good. They range from a mild to heavy fishy taste. They are generally not rated as high as other fish such as cod, trout, or salmon.
Can spotted bass hurt you?
Spotted bass are not dangerous to handle. They have small teeth that can rough up or cut your skin but nothing that would take more than a day or two to heal.