Fishing for Rock Bass
Identification, habitat, techniques, and tackle—then find a captain who targets them.
Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) are a chunky, deep-bodied panfish with a blunt head, large mouth and distinctive red or orange eyes. Coloration is generally olive to brown with darker mottling and
Rock bass inhabit lakes, reservoirs and medium to large rivers across much of eastern and central North America; they favor clear to stained water. They are most commonly found near rocky shorelines,
Rock bass are voracious and will hit a variety of presentations. Vertical jigging along rock piles, flipping small tube jigs into crevices, and slow hopping soft-plastic crayfish or grub imitations
Light to ultralight gear works best: 6.0-6.6 ft light-action rod or 6.6-7.0 ft medium-light for slightly larger fish, paired with a spinning reel. Line in the 4-8 lb range (monofilament or
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Captains Who Target Rock Bass
No captains in our directory currently list rock bass as a species they target. Browse all captains to find someone who might target it, or check back later as our network grows.