Roanoke Bass Fish Identification, its habitats, characteristics, fishing methods.
Roanoke Bass (Sport fishermen) is a fish species in the Sunfish family. Its native range includes large creeks, streams and small rivers with moderate flows and rocky bottoms. Its diet includes warms, crayfish, crustaceans, insects, zooplankton and smaller fish. Adults can reach 3 lbs.
Roanoke Bass at a glance
Scientific name
Sport fishermen
Family
Sunfish
Also known as
a rock, google eye or redeye bass
Native range
large creeks, streams and small rivers with moderate flows and rocky bottoms
Diet
warms, crayfish, crustaceans, insects, zooplankton and smaller fish
Maximum weight
3 lbs
The Roanoke Bass, hard-hitting strikes, aerial jumps and line-stripping runs make it the ultimate game
fish for both the beginner or expert angler wanting to fly, artificial or live bait fish. Sport fishermen
have made these Bass prized game fish for their fighting qualities, so much so that many travel agencies
now arrange fishing trips to Brazil and Florida specifically to catch peacock bass. The peacock bass will
continue to be the world's most sought after freshwater sportfish, giving anglers the greatest fight they
will ever experience with a rod and reel. To do well in bass fishing, the best way is to study the
creature, where it lives, what environment and water temperatures they prefer, what type of bait or lure
better to use.
The Roanoke Bass feed on warms, crayfish, crustaceans, insects, zooplankton and smaller fish. Bass loves
rocks and wooded areas and heavy covers. More knowledge about the Roanoke Bass can surely help you to
increase your catch. Better knowing and understanding the bass feeding and spawning habits will make you a
more successful angler and will help to catch them considerably.
The Roanoke bass - Ambloplites cavifrons is a species of freshwater fish in the
Sunfish family,
also known as a rock, google eye or redeye bass. They are native only to a few river systems in the
United States, include the Eno, Neuse and Tar rivers in North Carolina; the Roanoke River, the
Chowan River and the Meherrin River, the Uwharrie River in North Carolina and Virginia; the
Blackwater River and the Nottoway in Virginia.
Description
They are oval shaped and have a somewhat similar appearance to the
Rock Bass. The upper third of the
Roanoke bass is dark olive green to olive brown in color fading to a grayish tint down the sides and
turning to white on the belly. Their upper body scales contain small yellowish white spots. The Roanoke
bass has smaller scale spots than the rock bass and small, lighter whitish or yellowish spots on its upper
body. It is scaleless or nearly so on its cheeks. The roanoke bass can get 9 to 10 inches long and weight
up to 3 lbs. Compressed, stocky body, large, terminal mouth, dark-edged anal fin, almost no cheek scales,
rounded pectoral fin, heart-shaped tail fin, large, red eye, dark brown or olive body.
Habitat and Habits
Roanoke bass prefer clear, rocky creeks and pools found in large creeks, streams and small
rivers with moderate flows and rocky bottoms. The rarity of Roanoke bass throughout their native range has
prompted listing of these sunfish as a species of special concern. Loss of habitat that accompanies
impoundment construction, pollution and siltation is mostly responsible for their decline. Roanoke bass
prefer habitats in large creeks, streams and small rivers that have moderate flows and rocky substrate.
It is listed as a species of special concern because of impoundments, pollution and
siltation on its native rivers. Inhabits large creeks, streams and small rivers. Prefers clear but
sometimes turbid waters and the dark swamp waters such as the Nottoway and Blackwater. Look for them in
fairly swift deep water runs but around rocks and gravel, or at the heads of pools.
Young Roanoke bass eat insects and crustaceans. Adult Roanoke Bass feed on crayfish and
small fish.
Spawning
It is believed that the Roanoke nests in fairly fast currents. The male will construct a
circular nest in gravel or clay around mid-June then encourage passing females to his nest. The male then
guards the eggs and larval young.
Mature in 2 or 3 years, Spawning has not been observed, May spawn in faster water than the
rock bass;
In hatcheries, spawning occurs from mid-May to mid-June at 20-22°C, Males construct round nests in clay
and gravel near banks, Male guards the nest and watches over the larvae, Fecundity is 3,000-11,500 eggs
per female, Hybridizes with rock bass.
Fishing Methods are spin-casting, still fishing, Bait-casting and pole fishing. Fly-fishing can be an effective
tactic for catching Roanoke bass. Light spincasting tackle is recommended for use by non-fly fishermen to
enhance the catch experience. Recommended lures include tiny jigs, doll flies, streamers, small minnow
style crank baits, small spoons and spinners. When using live bait, small to medium minnows work best.
Anglers should use light spincasting tackle. Popular lures include tiny jigs, doll flies,
streamers, small crank baits that imitate minnows, small spoons and spinners. If live bait is used, small
to medium minnows work best. Anglers should also try fly-fishing for Roanoke bass.
