 ROANOKE BASS
Scientific
Name: Ambloplites cavifrons
Other
Common Names: google eye, redeye
Identification
A
sunfish rather than a true bass, the Roanoke bass is shaped similar
to a rock bass but is dark olive-green to olive
brown, fading to grayish sides with a white belly. 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.
Habitats and
Habits
Roanoke Bass
are uncommon in North America. Their native range is restricted
to the Roanoke and Chowan River
drainages of Virginia and the Tar and Neuse River drainages in
North Carolina. Isolated, introduced populations also exist in
North Carolina,
most notably in the Uwharrie River in the southern Piedmont. 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.
Young Roanoke
bass eat insects and crustaceans, while adults feed on crayfish
and small fish. Fishing Techniques
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.
Good Places to
Fish
- Eno
River
- Little River
(Durham County)
- Tar River (Granville,
Franklin and Nash counties)
- Fishing Creek
(Nash and Edgecombe counties)
- Little Fishing
Creek (Halifax County)
NCARP Minimum
Requirements: 1
pound or 11 inches
State
Record:
2 lbs., 11 oz. from Fishing Creek in Nash County, April 27, 1994
World
Record: 1 lb., 5 oz. from the Nottaway River, Va., Nov.
11, 1991*
* Anglers
provide information on their potential world-record catches directly
to the International
Game Fish Association, which maintains the world records
for sport fishing.
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