Bass
Shoal Bass Fishing in Georgia
A bass of river shoals, the shallow, fast riffles and runs over limestone, with larger fish in the deeper pools above and below. Shoal bass are shaped like largemouth but lack the dark band down the side, and carry vertical bars above the midline that resemble tiger stripes. They eat mostly crayfish, along with fish and insects. Georgia named the shoal bass its Native Riverine Sportfish in 2020.
- Waters
- 1
- State
- Georgia
- Water
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Fly, Spin & Bait
Prime Months in Georgia: Mar to May
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
From the agency months on 1 Georgia water: Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls).
Highlighted months are the best fishing; the other months are slower, not empty.
What to Use for Shoal Bass
Fishing In
Shoal Bass
Prime: Mar to May
Fly
9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 9 ft 2X or 3X leader. Woolly Buggers, crayfish patterns, baitfish streamers and poppers in the shoals.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly ReelCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly LineCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #4-12Woolly BuggerSee Options
- Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options
- Fly for October · #2/0-2Baitfish StreamerSee Options
Spin / Cast
6.5 to 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crayfish jigs around the shoals.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning RodCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning ReelCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL MonofilamentCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Lure for October · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
- Lure for October · 1/4 to 3/4 ozBass JigCrayfish colors.See Options
- Lure for October · 1/4 to 1/2 ozSpinnerbait · BOOYAH BOOYAH Blade Tandem SpinnerbaitCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Georgia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Where to Catch Shoal Bass
1 of 1 waters