Subject: Re: Question about smallmouth

From: [email-masked] (Todd Williams)
Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 09:38:14 GMT

>[email-masked] (Kevin Fay) writes:
>> Do all smallmouth bass have red eyes, hence the term redeye? We are
>> trying to settle a dispute. Thanks in advance for any help.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Kevin Fay
>> 

Well Kevin, I have just pulled my smallmouth book entitled "Smallmouth
Bass" off the 'ole bookshelf.  This book is excellent, as are all of
the fishing and hunting series by Cy Decosse Inc..  This 200 page book
tells what I think may be everything there is to know about
smallmouth!  From the descriptions I read and the pictures, and the
fishing I have done.  I think smallmouths may have somewhat of a red
circle in their eyes, but not the red eyes like the eyes of the "red
eye" bass or "rock bass" as it is called.  Hope this helps settle your
little fued!

Todd

A bad day of fishing is better than the best day at work!!

---

From: "Michael R. Gray" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 20 May 1996 06:03:46 GMT

Guys, I think I may have the answer to your dillemma.  First, I would 
like to point out that The International Gamefish Association Species 
Identification Guide (1995 edition, page 338) indicates that Smallmouth 
bass have "red or orangish eyes."  Secondly, It has been my experience 
that about 95% of the smallmouths I catch have bright red eyes.  By this I 
mean eyes as red as those of a rock bass (which shares the same waters).  I 
can't speak for all bass across the country, but this is the situation in 
western Virginia.  I spend a lot of time on the James, maury and New 
rivers, as well as Lake moomaw, and have caught and released thousands of 
smallmouths, so I would say that my experience is probably a reliable 
indication of the characteristics of a fair cross-section of the 
smallmouths in this part of the country.

---

From: Lawrence Taylor <[email-masked]>
Date: 20 May 1996 17:13:16 GMT

"Freshwater Fishes of Canada" (Scott & Crossman, 1973) Fisheries 
Research Board of Canada.

Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) "eye usually red or orange"

My experience filming spawning over the last three years, the males' red 
eye very obvious during nest building, spawning and guarding. The 
females' eyes are much less obvious if at all at this time.