Spotted Bass

The spotted or "Kentucky" bass, a largemouth lookalike, is found primarily in streams and rocky mountain reservoirs. The notch between the dorsal fins is shallow, and the upper jaw doesn't extend much, if any, behind the eye. It has a rough tooth patch on the tongue that's absent on largemouths, and there's a lengthwise row of dark spots below the dark midside stripe. Arkansas has yielded state-record-size "spots" nearing 8 pounds, but typical fish are around a pound. Spinnerbaits, jig and pork frog combinations, live crayfish and crayfish-imitation artificials are among the best baits.