Rock Bass ??

NH_boater · 07-13-2015, 12:47 PM

I fish Alton Bay regularly. The Gazebo used to be a great spot for smallest just 2 or 3 years ago, with an occasional 3 pounder. Now it is 100% rock bass, in my experience. The rock boulder shore on the West side headed out (just NW of gazebo) was another great area for smallest and is now 90% rockers.

They have taken over areas of the SM fishery and are expanding rapidly. You know you have one (rock bass) when they nibble a bite (rather than a hit), and they have one small surge of a fight and then they give up, as opposed to smallest that fight all the way in. You can feel it instantly.

AC2717 · 07-14-2015, 10:17 AM

It is time to introduce:
a No Limit (size nor quantity) Rock Bass Tournament just like Sebago to eradicate them

At this point there would be no need for a prize because I am sure all us fisherman would love to help out, just drop your pile off and you get listed for your skills

bt99 · 07-15-2015, 07:31 PM

Seeing the same thing in the Harilla area. Just a few years ago, I could drift around in the kayak, pulling smallies all over the place.

This past weekend and for much of this year, couldn't find a small mouth bass anywhere. They weren't even in their normal bedding areas around my dock.

barefootbay · 07-16-2015, 05:22 PM

Are they a good eating fish ?

SIKSUKR · 07-17-2015, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barefootbay

Are they a good eating fish ?

Too good. They have been eating all the regular bass.

AC2717 · 07-20-2015, 09:41 AM

another 30 plus rock bass in Paugus Bay this sunday in less than three hours

Ed R · 09-21-2015, 09:55 AM

Looks like they have expanded their habitat.

From the NH fish & Game
Habitat: Rock bass are found in the shallow margins of lakes, ponds, and larger rivers where they usually prefer rocky or substrate mixed with areas of sand and gravel.

Fished several humps in the broads 25-40' deep using a dropshot rig with a 4" worm. Caught Rock bass/Redeye 6-9"s or same size Smallmouth on every cast.

I would say they are competeing with the Bass, Trout and Salmon if they are on the Smelt and Perch fry.

07-13-2015, 12:47 PM	#1
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	Alton Bay I fish Alton Bay regularly. The Gazebo used to be a great spot for smallest just 2 or 3 years ago, with an occasional 3 pounder. Now it is 100% rock bass, in my experience. The rock boulder shore on the West side headed out (just NW of gazebo) was another great area for smallest and is now 90% rockers. They have taken over areas of the SM fishery and are expanding rapidly. You know you have one (rock bass) when they nibble a bite (rather than a hit), and they have one small surge of a fight and then they give up, as opposed to smallest that fight all the way in. You can feel it instantly.

07-14-2015, 10:17 AM	#2
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 756 Thanked 369 Times in 277 Posts	It is time to introduce: a No Limit (size nor quantity) Rock Bass Tournament just like Sebago to eradicate them At this point there would be no need for a prize because I am sure all us fisherman would love to help out, just drop your pile off and you get listed for your skills __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

07-20-2015, 09:41 AM	#6
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 756 Thanked 369 Times in 277 Posts	another 30 plus rock bass in Paugus Bay this sunday in less than three hours __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to AC2717 For This Useful Post:
ApS (07-16-2015), KeepItSimple (07-14-2015), Resident 2B (07-15-2015), secondcurve (07-16-2015)

07-15-2015, 07:31 PM	#3
bt99 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Oileán Fada Posts: 25 Thanks: 2 Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts	Seeing the same thing in the Harilla area. Just a few years ago, I could drift around in the kayak, pulling smallies all over the place. This past weekend and for much of this year, couldn't find a small mouth bass anywhere. They weren't even in their normal bedding areas around my dock.

07-16-2015, 05:22 PM	#4
barefootbay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 395 Thanks: 81 Thanked 108 Times in 76 Posts	Are they a good eating fish ?

The Following User Says Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
noreast (07-17-2015)

09-21-2015, 09:55 AM	#7
Ed R Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Looks like they have expanded their habitat. From the NH fish & Game Habitat: Rock bass are found in the shallow margins of lakes, ponds, and larger rivers where they usually prefer rocky or substrate mixed with areas of sand and gravel. Fished several humps in the broads 25-40' deep using a dropshot rig with a 4" worm. Caught Rock bass/Redeye 6-9"s or same size Smallmouth on every cast. I would say they are competeing with the Bass, Trout and Salmon if they are on the Smelt and Perch fry.

The Following User Says Thank You to Ed R For This Useful Post:
noreast (09-21-2015)