Photo by Ron Sinfelt

George Perry's world-record largemouth turned Georgia and the rest of the angling world on its ear way back in 1932. The record still stands today, but when it comes to opportunities to enjoy exceptional fishing for black bass species in the Peach State, anglers have more than largemouths to choose from. In fact, there may be a fish swimming in Georgia waters right now that could best an existing world record. Another monster bucketmouth from a South Georgia oxbow? No, it is more along the lines of a magnum spotted bass from the cool depths of a North Georgia mountain reservoir.

The spotted bass is one of six black bass species found in Georgia. Spotted bass, commonly called "spots," are second only to largemouth bass in their importance to Georgia bass fishing.

At first glance, spotted bass are almost indistinguishable from largemouths. A second look at a few telltale characteristics makes identification easy, though. Spotted bass usually have a sandpaper-like tooth patch on the tongue, which largemouths lack. Also, the rear of the jaw does not extend behind the eye as it does in largemouths, and finally, the spiny and soft dorsal fins are connected with a shallow notch not reaching all the way to the body.

The average Georgia spotted bass weighs about a pound, and anything more than 4 pounds is considered a trophy, although spots of this size are not all that unusual.

Reservoirs that are favored by spotted bass can be generally characterized as deep and clear. Spots are more open-water fish than largemouths are, and they will commonly be found on deeper offshore structure instead of shallow shoreline cover.

Spotted bass are strong fighters, and many anglers feel that spots are the most spirited black bass species. Although spotted bass do not grow as big as largemouths and are not as acrobatic as smallmouths, a good spotted bass on the end of the line gives you a fight to remember.

Spotted bass are common in central and North Georgia in areas drained by the Coosa, Chattahoochee and Savannah river systems. But there are some notable exceptions.

Think of Georgia spotted bass and the first two words that probably come to mind are "Lake Lanier." Lanier has a dedicated cadre of spotted bass anglers, and the state-record spot, weighing 8 pounds, 1/2 ounce, came from Lake Lanier in 1985.

Although that state record has been challenged, the reservoir still sits atop the heap. Lanier may be king, but there are some serious contenders for the title. Let's take a look at some of these other spotted bass waters and what they have to offer.

LAKE CHATUGE
Lake Chatuge is a 7,050-acre Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir constructed on the Hiwassee River for hydropower and flood control. Impounded in 1942, Chatuge has always been a popular destination, and its shores are lined with cabins and houses. Georgia and North Carolina share the lake, with both states having an almost equal-sized portion.

Since Chatuge is a relatively infertile lake, its waters are usually clear. Although not loaded with cover, the impoundment does have a fair amount of stumps and brush, especially considering the age of the lake. Chatuge is a typical highland lake, and fishing in depths of 25 feet or more is not uncommon here.

Lake Chatuge has undergone some dramatic changes in its history. For many years, this reservoir was the best place in Georgia for catching smallmouth bass, and big ones at that. The state-record smallmouth bass -- a fish weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces -- came from Chatuge, and these bronzebacks were common catches back in the early days. Things began to change in the mid-1980s with the illegal introduction of spotted bass, followed by the appearance of blueback herring in 1996. By 2005, for better or for worse, spotted bass became the dominant species.