Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk AL Fishing Talk Suwannee Bass on the fly!

After our beach vacation in Florida, we headed to my parent's house for a visit in south Alabama. I convinced my wife that I wanted to go float a river and try to catch a black bass species I've never caught before, the Suwannee Bass.This fish has the smallest range of any bass species as it only occurs in the Suwannee River drainage in south GA and North FL. Even there, it's mostly only found in the spring-fed waters around current and limestone rock. The fish rarely reaches lengths past 14-16" and a couple of pounds is a real brute. Most anglers struggle to catch one, and to catch one on the fly is a real challenge. Many of my friends have tried and come back home unsuccessful.

I was very nervous about driving 4 hours (one way - 8 hrs round trip) to try and catch one. Especially since I'd be driving 85% back the way we had just driven and my wife already thought I was crazy. However, you can't catch them if you don't try! So I awoke at 3:30 am and set off for what was going to be one long day! I arrived at 9am (lost an hour due to central to eastern time zone change) and was anxious to get on the water. The water was beautiful.


I set out rigged for both topwater and subsurface offerings.


I also noticed I wasn't alone as there were a few alligators spotted as I made my way down river.


After about an hour with no luck, I felt that unmistakable chill in the air and the ominous rumbling in the sky that followed. I quickly made my way to a ramp over the water to seek shelter. It rained hard for about a 45 minutes then the skies opened up to sunny weather.


I was striking out and not getting anything on poppers or subsurface flies. I finally came to an area with a little more current as the river was separated by an island allowing for me to strip a crayfish fly through some more promising water.


My fly was immediately inhaled by a dark figure in the water and the fight was on! I hoped it was my intended quarry, but the fish put up a good fight. These fish use the current and don't really jump, but bulldog you and dig. I got it in and realized I had caught a Suwannee Bass, and a dandy at that!



The setting was ethereal. Big cypress trees with Spanish moss flanked the tannic waters and the island had some beautiful spider lilies and cypress knees that framed the spot where I caught this beautiful fish.


After that fish I knew I was playing with house money the rest of the day. I took some time and enjoyed the scenery....


Threw some topwater and caught a brute of a stumpknocker:


I caught many more stumpknockers and a few bluegill. I also caught a few small (Florida) largemouth bass. I picked up another couple Suwannee Bass about this size before ending the day.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Mdf9WUS.jpg[/img]

All in all it was a stellar trip and I was only able to complete half of my intended float. I really should make that trip again, but make it a 2-3 day venture. It's amazing the diversity that exists within the black basses, especially if you look outside of the usual three (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted). If you haven't already, the shoal bass, Suwannee bass, multiple redeye bass species, and Guadalupe bass in Texas are all worth an adventure!