When I was a kid, I used to catch some mean little bass in the Tangipahoa River (SE Lousiiana) This river was clear, cool, and swift with a sand and gravel bottom. I would find deeper pools at bends, and catch 1 or 2 on shiners or beetle spinners in every pool. They were short and fat, and hit hard and fought viciously. Every one jumped! They were definitely not stunted large mouth(Micropterous salmoides) Nearest I could figure, they were M. punctulatus, or "spotted bass". Whatever they were, they should be bred to get bigger. A 10 pounder is a scary thought.
