Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatus · also called Kentucky Bass, Spot
The spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) is a black bass of East Texas streams and reservoirs. It is uncommon in the Central Texas lakes Texas Hawgs guides — most "spots" caught here are actually Guadalupe bass, its close Hill Country cousin. It favors current and rock and takes finesse baits.
Why: The eastern cousin — rare in our waters.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Guadalupe Bass · Largemouth Bass · All Central Texas bass species
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
The spotted bass, or Kentucky bass, is a black bass that looks a lot like a small largemouth but behaves more like a Guadalupe or smallmouth, holding in current and around rock. It is really an East and Central-East Texas fish; in the Hill Country lakes we fish, a "spotted bass" is almost always a Guadalupe, which is a very close relative and easy to confuse. We include it here mostly to help you tell the two apart.
Spotted Bass at a glance
- Scientific name
- Micropterus punctulatus
- Family
- Centrarchidae
- Type
- Black Bass
- Typical size
- 1 lbs average
- Trophy size
- 3 lbs+
- Texas record
- 5.56 lbs — Lake O' the Pines (1966)
How to identify a Spotted Bass
Greenish with a horizontal blotchy stripe above rows of small spots that form neat lines low on the body.
- Jaw reaches to about the middle of the eye
- Rows of dark spots forming lines below the lateral line
- Distinct rectangular tooth patch on the tongue
- A single dark spot on the gill cover
Quick tell: The lines of spots below the lateral line and the tongue tooth-patch tell it from a largemouth; range and bar pattern tell it from a Guadalupe.
Similar species: Guadalupe Bass · Largemouth Bass · Smallmouth Bass
Where to catch Spotted Bass in Central Texas
Uncommon in the lakes Texas Hawgs fishes — Central Texas "spots" are usually native Guadalupe bass.
How we catch them
A current- and rock-relating feeder that responds to finesse baits like its Guadalupe cousin.
Spawn: March–May (around 57–66°F). Spawns on gravel and rock, often in or near current.
Go-to techniques: Drop Shot, Shaky Head, Ned Rig, Finesse Fishing.
Best lures: Tube, Straight / Finesse Worm, Fluke / Soft Jerkbait, Senko / Stickbait.
The fight: Strong and current-oriented for its size.
Eating & regulations
We rarely see spotted bass on the lakes I guide, but they're fine to keep within the limits.
Follows statewide bass regulations where present.
Spotted Bass FAQs
Do you catch spotted bass in Central Texas?
Rarely — true spotted bass are mainly an East Texas fish. Most "spots" caught on our Hill Country lakes are actually Guadalupe bass, a close cousin.
How do you tell a spotted bass from a Guadalupe bass?
A spotted bass has neat rows of spots below the lateral line and a tongue tooth-patch; the Guadalupe has bars along the side and is the fish you'll actually catch here.
Keep exploring
All Central Texas bass species · Guadalupe bass — the Texas state fish · Central Texas bass fishing guide · All 16 lakes we fish
Want to catch a Spotted Bass? See trip rates and book, or call or text 512-762-0190.