I agree that spotted bass and smaller smallmouth in cool/cold water conditions can be tasty. I've eaten some larger smallmouth and I noticed a big difference in the taste.
Red Eye bass, if you can catch enough of them, are fine eating.
Every lake has a different biomass and fish population, so i'm all for the slot if that lake deems it necessary or if the goal is trophy management, which some lakes have better luck in than others.
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