Shoal bass
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| Micropterus cataractae Williams & Burgess, 1999 |
The shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. One of the black basses, it is native to subtropical waters in Florida and Georgia. It is also found in Alabama.
Of typical size for a black bass, M. cataractae reaches a maximum recorded length of 61 cm (24 in) and a maximum published weight of 4.0 kg (8.5 lb).
Only described for the first time in 1999, the shoal bass remains poorly understood by ichthyologists.
The shoal bass is often confused with the redeye bass, due to its red-tinted eyes.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Department has this to say about shoal bass:
"SHOAL BASS Shoal bass
(Micropterus cataractae)
Common Names - shoal bass.
Description - Until October 1999, this species was variously considered to be a redeye bass or subspecies of the redeye bass. James Williams and George Burgess published the official description of the new species in Volume 42, No. 2 of the "Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History," which was printed on October 8, 1999.
The red color of eyes associates this species with the redeye and Suwannee bass at first glance. However, it is more closely related to the spotted bass morphologically. Shoal bass generally are olive green to nearly black along the back. A dusky dark blotch about 50-67 percent of the size of the eye occurs on the back edge of the gill cover. Three diagonal black lines radiate along the side of the head looking like war paint. 10-15 vertical blotches appear along the sides with tiger-stripes often appearing in between.
The belly is creamy or white and wavy lines may appear slightly above the white belly on the sides. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are dark olive green to grayish black. Pelvic fins may have a cream colored leading edge with dark spots.
The shoal bass has scales on the base portion of the soft-rayed dorsal fins, clearly connected first and second dorsal fins, and an upper jaw bone that does not extend beyond the eyes.
Subspecies - No known subspecies. Until October 1999 this species was considered to have been a subspecies of the redeye bass.
Range -The shoal bass is common in the Apalachicola and Chipola River where shoals exists. It is also known in the Chattahoochee and Flint river drainages.
Habitat - Shoal bass are closely associated with rock shoals and are uncommon in other habitats.
Spawning Habits - Shoal bass spawn in coarse gravel at the heads of creek pools in April and May, to early June. Prefer spawning temperature of 64 to 73 degrees. Like the largemouth, the male prepares the nest and guards the eggs and fry.
Feeding Habits - Shoal bass feed mainly on aquatic insects on the surface. They also feed on larval insects, crayfish and fish.
Age and Growth - Shoal bass grow much faster than redeye bass.
Sporting Quality - A good game fish and a scrappy fighter that is often difficult to catch. They can be caught on worms, minnows, or crayfish as well as small spinners and a wide variety of small surface lures. Some have been known to reach more than eight pounds. As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big Catch" program.
Eating Quality - Good. Has white, flaky meat and tends to be drier than that of a largemouth.
World Record - 8 pounds, 3 ounces, caught in the Flint River, Georgia in 1977. This fish was a shoal bass but originally reported as the Apalachicola form of redeye bass.
Florida State Record - 7 pounds, 13-1/4 ounces, caught in the Apalachicola River in 1989."
Shoal bass are also popular targets for fly fishers, who find them easy to access in their preferred river environments. The practice of fly fishing for shoal bass is becoming more widespread.
