Possible WR Ozark Bass....

[DocEsox]

Caught this guy on Table Rock a few years ago.....I thought it was a rock bass but am a bit unfamiliar with midwestern sunfishes.  My guide just called it a "goggle-eye" which could mean either.  I had no clue what I had caught and released.  I moderate on a taxidermy website (photos section) and posted this photo.  One of the experts came back saying if this was caught in Table Rock it couldn't be a rock bass and it was definitely an Ozark Bass.  He said it was probably the largest "beast" he had seen of Ozarks.  Looked up the world record which is only 1 lbs 1oz which this easily surpassed.  Guess I missed a chance at minor fame but he's still swimming.  Anybody else caught any Ozark Bass this size on Table Rock??  BTW he whacked a LuckyCraft pointer right offshore.

[Chief Grey Bear]

It is a Ozark bass. Dont know about a world record but Missouri lumps all three Goggle eye/Rock bass into one. 

The current State record was caught in the Big Piney and was 2lb 12oz. 

[magicwormman]

Looks like a Rock Bass to me! That's what us old Yankee boys called them.

[DocEsox]

Thanks for the replies......I guess your answers show why the term "goggle-eye" is used for them all.  Their are actually three recognized species that look like this.  Largest is the Rock Bass...which range does not extend into Table Rock or the White River system.  The other is the Roanoke bass which is found primarily in Virginia and the other is the Ozark bass found in the upper White River system.  Each have been officially recognized as separate species and have world records by the IGFA.  This was definitely identified as an Ozark.....have you guys seen other big ones out of Table Rock?

 

[jim m]

yes, table rock has a well  established population and it it not uncommon to catch one around 14" in length

[abkeenan]

Welcome to the forum DocEsox,

Yep. Catch them all the time near the dam on rockpiles. They stack up and you can catch a handful of them in minutes off the same spot. They have no problem taking down a full 5" senko/dinger on a shakeyhead. When I catch them it's by accident. Kinda surprised you caught it on a jerkbait as they seem to be fairly locked on the bottom and I've only ever caught them on soft plastics and/or night crawlers.

The one you caught is a giant and the biggest that I have seen. Nice catch and thanks for posting.

[Chief Grey Bear]

36 minutes ago, DocEsox said:

Thanks for the replies......I guess your answers show why the term "goggle-eye" is used for them all.  Their are actually three recognized species that look like this.  Largest is the Rock Bass...which range does not extend into Table Rock or the White River system.  The other is the Roanoke bass which is found primarily in Virginia and the other is the Ozark bass found in the upper White River system.  Each have been officially recognized as separate species and have world records by the IGFA.  This was definitely identified as an Ozark.....have you guys seen other big ones out of Table Rock?

 

Actually there are four. You can find 3 of them in Missouri. The Northern Rock bass, Ozark bass, and the Shadow bass. 

The Northern and Shadow have very large native territories with the Ozark and Roanoke have very small native areas. 

Not a huge fan of the IGFA but if you're going to have a world record, that's who you deal with.

[DocEsox]

"Not a huge fam of the IGFA....."

Amen Chief Grey Bear

[Quillback]

I am the only person that fishes TR that has never caught a goggle eye, not one ever.  But, that is certainly a biggun.

[cheesemaster]

30 minutes ago, Quillback said:

I am the only person that fishes TR that has never caught a goggle eye, not one ever.  But, that is certainly a biggun.

I guess that makes 2 of us Quillback.  I never have caught one eother.