Alabama jewels...

[AL trout bum]

I couldn't take it any longer. How could any self-respecting Alabama native not have caught a redeye? Redeye bass, one of the smallest black bass, are often called the brook trout of Alabama. Arrived to find that the weatherman is full of it, as usual.


I arrived on the water with but one goal in mind and it was to catch redeye bass. I tied on one of my trusty one bugs that I tied and began the float.


I get to the point where I am almost guaranteed a redeye strike. Cast. Bam! My first.....oh, just a longear....


I go quite a ways before even getting another strike. I keep casting and I feel like something is watching me.


He kept a watchful eye on me until I was out of sight. I keep casting into typical "redeye spots." Then a tiny torpedo hit the one bug at lightning speed, I actually jumped a little. A few jumps and my first redeye bass.


Thanked him and sent him on his way..


A scenery pic.


This creek is loaded with variety. I have never caught one of these before either. A shadow bass..


I see some more rocks coming up. I get in position and get ready to make my first cast.


I can just see the redeye I am about to fool. Cast. Wait, what the? Son of a....


That trend continued all day. I would get into prime water, and my cast would be ruined by poor line management, trees, you name it. This creek was small and not conducive to casting. I probably only fished 30% of the water I wanted. For the most part it was one cast to make it count and move on to the next spot.

A couple miles down and I see a tree bent over the water. There has to be a fish there. I cast right under it, without error miraculously, and I see the redeye hit. He bulldogs down and I try to strip it in and my line goes slack. Nooo!!!!!!!! I paddle back upstream and anchor to a rock and make a dozen casts before he hits again.


Man these things are beautiful.


Love the white tips...


A little further down I pick up a red breasted sunfish. Caught quite a bit of these al along...


I was lucky enough to get another Alabama jewel..


A little further downstream and I ruin these guys' swim..


Green sunfish...


This is one of the most scenic creeks I have floated...


Another one..


Back in ya go...


Last one of the day....


I'm content just to float the last stretch...


This was weird. I thought raccoons could swim...


It was a good day and although no giants were caught, ANY redeye is a trophy to me. Something special in the Alabama waters for sure and I'm glad I finally got to share it.

[overbrook]

I've caught a helluva bunch of them...and none much bigger than yours....but fun fer sure!!   -0- -0- -0-

[Woolly Bugger]

cool1, nice stream sampling.

[Beetle]

Great report.   Glad you accomplished your goal!   

[Jfey]

Very cool, looks like a nice float

[Stone-Man]

Damn nice report.

You ever smoke any of those longears ??  They are delicious  !!


  JT

[AL trout bum]

You ever smoke any of those longears ??  They are delicious  !!


  JT

Hmm....I guess I've only caught smaller ones like the one pictured so I've never thought about it.

[Transylwader]

Nicely done Matt!

[AL trout bum]

Thanks guys! These little fish are something else!

[phlyfisher]

cant wait to get back home and catch a boatload of rock bass. they look very similar to the "shadow bass" you have pictured and they fight like hell.  they are hardy little fighters and fun as hell to catch! good stuff!
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