Rock bass fishing in Franklin, NC
This article will cover rock bass fishing in Franklin, NC. Rock bass are rarely targeted by anglers. Instead, they are a by-catch of anglers chasing smallmouth bass, bluegill and sunfish, and even trout. Rock bass are small, 10″ is an decent one, but they are aggressive and fight very hard for their size. When caught using ultralight tackle and light fly rods, they are great fun!
Some anglers consider rock bass a nuisance, but I am not in that category! I am happy to catch anything that puts up a nice little battle. I always use ultra light tackle, ensuring a fun fight. Rock bass are very aggressive. To find them is to catch them in most instances. They are also known as redeye bass and goggle eyes. Rock bass are in the panfish family and are good to eat.
Most of the rock bass caught in Franklin, NC come out of the Little Tennessee River. Both the Lake Emory portion and the section below the dam will produce rock bass. They do prefer slower moving water, so the deeper, slower pools in the downstream section will produce best. In Lake Emory, they can be found around any structure or cover. Anglers can catch them from shore, wading, or from a boat. Rock bass have a large mouth for their size and will take large lures and baits.
Fishing for rock bass in Franklin, NC
There are a couple other bodies of water that hold decent populations of rock bass. Cartoogechaye Creek and the Cullasaja River will produce a few rock bass. Best time to fish them is in the warmer months. This is convenient as they offer an option when it is too warm for trout. In both waters, the slower moving sections close to where they empty into the Little Tennessee River are the best spots. The Tuckasegee River can be good in summer as well.
Rock bass fishing tackle and lures
Anglers do not need anything fancy to catch a mess of rock bass. The same rod and reel used for trout and panfish will be fine for rock bass, I like a 6′ Ultralight rod, 750 size reel, and 4 lb flourocarbon line. Braided line and a short leader can also be used. a 4wt fly rod and 5x leader is a good combination.
Best rock bass lures
Rock bass are not fussy when it comes to lures. The same lures that produce panfish and bass will fool rock bass. Mt favorite lure is a #8 Rapala Husky Jerk. I like fishing jerk baits, they are a lot of fun. They appeal to the aggressive nature of rock bass. Jerk baits are great for the rives as they cover a lot of water, do not snag a lot, and catch fish. An erratic retrieve with a pause works best.
Small spinnerbaits also work well. My favorite is a v1/8 ounce black Beetle spin lure. It catches every species, including rock bass. These are relatively snag free and very easy to use. A slow, steady retrieve works best. As long as the blade is spinning, it isn’t moving too slow. Other small spinnerbaits will work.
Soft plastic baits are definitely very effective lures for rock bass. A 2″ curly tail grub on a 1/8 ounce jig head works great. White and green pumpkin are good colors as well. Anglers can swim the lure through the mid depths or bounce them off the bottom. These baits will hang up, but are relatively inexpensive.
Fly fishing for rock bass
My favorite technique when fly fishing for rock bass is to use a small popper. I like white and chartreuse, they are easy to see. A surface bite is always fun and rock bass will readily take a popper. Clouser Minnow patterns and wooly buggers will produce when they wont hit on tip.
Fishing for rock bass using live bait
Anglers can certainly catch rock bass on live bait. A half of a nightcrawler fishing under a float is simple and effective. Red worms are also productive. Both can be free lined using just a hook and small split shot. Crickets are now available at Walmart. Live minnows produce, but really are not worth the trouble as rock bass are taken so many other lures and baits.
Best rock bass fishing spots in Franklin, NC
The best spots to catch rock bass in Franklin, NC are the deeper holes in the flowing section of the Little Tennessee River below the dam. From there to the mouth of Tellico Creek is good. The water is faster from Tellico Creek to Fontana Lake. However, slower pools and pockets behind rocks will hold fish. The mouth of the Cullasaja River at the Greenway can be good, as well as any accessible spot off of the Greenway. The deep pools at Veterans Park on Cartoogechaye Creek are good as well.
In conclusion, this article on rock bass fishing in Franklin, NC will help anglers catch more of these under rated little game fish!
