Shadow Bass From Norfork. Definite Maybe

[Ham]

So I looked into descriptions of Shadow Bass again. I wanted to have a better idea of what I'm looking for and where I could go fish for them and I may have caught some already. Take a look at pics and weigh in with a yes or nah or maybe.

No splotches but it has the broken strings of darker scales.

This one was a toad. Had the splotches and the broken rows of darker scales.

I think I can add Shadow Bass to the list for this year.

[podum]

Throwin' the little varmit. Nice.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Ozark?

[405z06]

in before Drew somehow ties this into Climate Change TM

[Guest]

Ham,

I caught 35 rock bass or shadow bass at the Elk last weekend on the Ned.

2-3 of them we're over a pound, so they're biting right now.

Do you know what the minimum size for master angler?

I think we both exceeded it.

[Ham]

Nah Man, i haven't looked into any Master Angler Award stuff. I'm just trying to ascertain IF I likely have caught a Shadow Bass. I think I have, but I'm hoping you guys would chime in and argue one way or the other.

[Guest]

its an Ozark Rock bass in my book, but I'm no scientist

[Guest]

this is what google images turned up for shadow bass

[Al Agnew]

Ozark bass.

The blotches may or may not be really prominent in shadow bass, but the rows of black spots, while broken, are still in very obvious rows...you'll see three or four spots (one on each scale), then one or two missing, then three or four more, then one or two missing, then one or two showing, etc. In other words, there are more scales with spots than without. Northern rock bass have spots on virtually every scale on their sides. Ozark bass have more scales without spots than with, and the spots therefore don't line up in obvious patterns. Where you caught it is also diagnostic...the upper White River system includes all the streams until you get to where the Black River comes in, which would include the North Fork, and that's the native range of Ozark bass.

The second photo is a little closer to shadow bass in the spotting pattern, but still not enough scales with spots.

[Ham]

Ok then, I'll head over to the Spring river and fish from Spring River Oaks down to 9 mile road and I'll catch and photograph one.

What's in the Current River System? What's in Bryant Creek? Gasconade? Niangua?