Yup you are correct, calico bass are salt water fish I've seen them. They look just like a fresh water large mouth bass just calico colors.

I don't understand why most fly fisherman don't eat trout, I fish to eat. Fish are food regardless of species, as long as your not wasting the fish I do not see the problem. I only keep bigger ones though anything over 12 inches, under I put back so they can get bigger. I like to filet and deep fry if I choose to or great on the grill wrapped in foil with lemons garlic and salt pepper and butter 👍

They are a little bigger than most pan fish 😆 but I've fried them in frying pans that they fit in. It doesn't matter, just fry and enjoy them 👍 very tasty with some butter and garlic salt 😋