roadwarrior

Thanks Matt_Fly, We've been through this one pretty thoroughly, recently!

I don't know about "better", but I know a little bit about fun. For me it's not about "fishing" it's about "catching". Yep, I like getting out and I'm on a first name basis with my friend The Bait Monkey, but beyond all that, what thrills me is fighting a HUGE fish. Some of the fish the pros are catching, especially the "keepers" at the Classic, don't do a thing for me. If I'm fishing artificials I try to use lures that scare those little fish away. I don't fish 5" Senkos anymore because I used to catch too many little fish. I like drinking beer, jumping in the river in the summer when it's hot and listening to country music with my buds. Oh! I like catching 20 lb stripers and 5 lb smallmouth, too. But I don't care anything about small fish. I don't wear a watch when I fish and I eat lunch when I'm hungry. I never worry about making it back in for weigh-in and I can fish past dark, we don't clean fish either! I'm not saying my friends and I are better fishermen. No, we aren't challenged much either. We fish baits that fish like to eat. We fish where big fish live and we usually catch about a hundred pounds of some kind of fish every day. Yep, that's apiece! I only fish for two kinds of fish: Big ole gooduns' and good ole biguns'. So, I don't know whether the guy that consistantly catches "limit" on all kinds of different water is a better fisherman than the guy who successfully targets monster bass. I don't know if I could catch any fish on your water fishing the way you want me to, but if you fish my water the way I want you to, you're going to catch lot's of fish and some of them will be HUGE!

Matt_Fly, I do use some heavier equipment for some techniques, but the majority of my big largemouth have been caught on soft plastics. The rod I use is a 7' medium power/ fast action spinning rod. It is very comparable to my smallmouth gear, although the tip is somewhat firmer. My opinion isn't influenced by the equipment. I agree with you that the "fight" varies a lot from fish to fish, but I would agrue that smallmouth are consistantly stronger. On the otherhand, I have never caught a 15 lb largemouth and no one will ever catch a smallmouth that size. So, since largemouth can grow to be considerably bigger than their cousin, maybe "Who Fights Harder?" can be answered in another way. Pound for pound I think smallmouth are favored, but without that qualification, perhaps the largemouth could be considered the winner.

Generally, no. I usually fish with a friend, sometimes two. That usually keeps a "new" guide pretty busy. So, if it's a new lake or river and we are a group, no. However, most of the time I fish with guides I have known for years and they always fish, unless I'm taking the "old men", then the guide is too busy.

I started "fishing" a long time ago with my dad, brother and grandfather, but it wasn't until about eight years ago that I started "catching" big fish. The biggest influence has been hooking up with my fishing buddy, Pickwick Guide, Speedy Madewell. We started out catching big stripers on the Tennessee River in the summer of 2000 and graduated to trophy smallmouth in the fall and winter. I credit Gary Yamamoto for getting me back into largemouth fishing. In the early '60's I fished my first "Magic Bait", the original balsa Rapala. In 1997 I "discovered" the Senko. That is when I found out that even I could catch big bass, and I have been hooked ever since.

We're still having problems with the server, the clock's not working either.

George Welcome, For the most part, I use the same general equipement: 7' medium power/ fast action spinning tackle and #4 or #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid. That is the basis for my comparison. To be more specific, this is the equipment I generally use for soft plastics and live bait. For other techniques I do use some heavier equipment, but I am comparing largemouth to smallmouth based on EXACTLY the same equipment. Smallmouth seem to be line shy, but that does not necessarily include reaction lures. I catch smallmouth for example on the Lucky Craft Pointer 128 fished on a heavy baitcaster and 12-15 lb test (diameter) line and I will make the same comparison of both species on the heavier tackle. (The tackle is really more about fishing the lure than landing the fish). I think I understand the point of the question, and I am comparing apples to apples.

dodgeguy, You see how these hijackings get started? How did we get on bream? One post leads to another and all of a sudden... So, back on topic. I fish for both largemouth and smallmouth, but usually at separate times and on different water. I often catch largemouth and spots when fishing for smallmouth, but rarely the other way around. Largemouth are not consistant fighters, some are "tough", some are not. It seems to me that much of the "fight" is a function of size, pulling in a large, bulky mass is different than a small, sleek body. Bigger fish feel better, duh? Smallmouth or largemouth, at around 3 lbs, the bass "fights" better and it's much more common to catch a 3 or 4 lb largemouth than a similar size bronzeback. If you catch mostly largemouth and only an occasional smallie, I think that might contribute to judging them more equally. However, for those who catch smallmouth on a regular basis, I cannot perceive how this comparison can be seriously considered. It's not just jumping, running and digging that favors the smallmouth bass, it is also the length of the fight and the surge at the boat that thrills. At any given EQUAL weight, the smallmouth is a stronger fish and battles more aggressively than its cousin.

RoLo, Great story! I think there are a few other guys on the forum that might be able to find their own fish, too. I don't know though, maybe not on Lake Huron. For the rest of us, or at least some of us, the challenge might be a little overwhelming. I think guides are essential for most guys to have a successful trip on big, new water.

My favorite magazine is Gary Yamamoto's INSIDE LINE. I also like IN-FISHERMAN. BASSMASTER would be a distant third.

dodgeguy, "i'll really start a debate..." <EDITED> No hijacking someone else's thread. Please start a new thread for a new topic.

Rolo and I are on the same page, but I'm in the wife's camp: I like fishing, but I like catching more! I suspect Sam Rayburn is just like any other big reservior from a statistical vantage: 10% of the lake is productive, 90% not. If it were my trip, I would hire a guide for the entire outing. If you decide to go with a guide, hire him for a full day. A half-day doesn't amount to much and you won't learn enough to make it worth your while. I fish Bull Shoals several times a year and have been for a number of years. I always fish with my guide and we usually catch nice fish, but it's a big lake and can really be hard to fish on your own. Everything on the lake looks fishy, but it's not. There are days, even with a guide of thirty years, when they just aren't there.

Holy Bejeebers! George, what's your second favorite lake?

Smallmouth relate to structure, not cover. Look for steeply sloped, rocky points on the main channel. If you are fishing artificials try a hair jig with trailer and/ or a 3 1/2" Gitzit. Fish across the point, beginning in 10-15' of water and work your way out to deeper water. When you find the right depth, all the smallmouth in the lake will probably be at that particular depth. Second, search for isolated humps or rock piles and fish them thoroughly, from all sides. This structure can be in the middle of the lake or cove, it does not need to be even remotely related to shoreline. Third, creek beds where the old creek emptied in to the bigger creek or main river before the lake was built. This might be out in what appears to be the middle of the main lake or lake arm, but trust me, smallmouth relate to this transition. Fourth, steep rock walls, especially those that are "stepped". It's too early to fish flats or gravel bars and anywhere you find a mud bottom, move on. These areas are a waste of time. If you focus on smallmouth, you will still catch some largemouth and spots, but it doesn't usually work the other way around.

Weather, pressure, moons... Maybe there is something to all this voodo on lakes, but on a big river the only thing that counts is current.

"Maximum line size" for each species listed. including largemouth bass limits the number of "line size" World Records that will be certified. So, there is not World Record designation for a 15 lb bass caught on 25 lb line, but that same fish caught on 2 lb or 20 lb test might be.

The fish was caught in Mississippi and I think their state record is 18 lbs 8 oz, this might have been a bigger bass. We agreed it was at least a 15+ lbs. Two weeks later I was at Bull Shoals Boat Dock and they have an older Missouri State Record largemouth bass mounted, 13.25 or 13.75, I'm not sure. My friend's fish was CONSIDERABLY bigger.

Line has nothing to do with it unless you are fishing for a "line" record. To be officially recognized by the IGFA, the fish must be caught on rod & reel tackle and weigh 2 oz. more than the previous recognized World Record. Current World Record Smallmouth: 11 lbs 15 oz Current World Record Largemouth: 22 lbs 4 oz

Although I didn't catch the fish, I have been involved in two situations: My main fishing partner caught a 10 lb smallmouth in November, 2003. I netted it and weighed it with a third party (anhother witness). We did not have a camera and I did not measure it . My buddy released the monster. In June, 2005 I was fishing with a friend on the Secret Pond who caught the biggest bass I have ever seen in person, alive or mounted. Again, we did not have a camera or a scale. He released it I currently carry a calibrated scale, tape measure and camera. I hope next time I'm the lucky guy that catches one. If it's really close to the World Record, we'll keep it in the live well long enough to have the bass certified.

Maybe there are several books for advanced fishermen, but regardless of your level, In-Fisherman's "Largemouth" & "Smallmouth" books are a must read. They are the very best "bass" books I have ever read.

Peter, I certainly see your point and appreciate your approach to evaluating the importance of the conditions we face, but a lot of guys just want to catch a couple of fish when they are just getting started. I saw bassmaster 4879 is in Texas and I am confident that he can catch a couple of fish on the two baits I recommend. If he is already getting some bites as he stated, I think a couple of simple adjustments will help him catch those fish. Although I totally agree that "observing the conditions" and adjusting to them is important to achieving consistant success, catching more and bigger fish and generally improving your skills, right now all bassmaster4879 wants to do is catch the fish he thinks he's found. To do that, right now, only requires a little adjustment in bait and equipment. I am absolutely, 100% positive that a Senko and/or a Fat Ika fished on a 4/0 EWG hook will catch a few bass on ponds in Texas.

That's a remarkable fish. There aren't more than a handful of guys alive on the planet that have landed a 9 lb smallmouth. Good for your uncle. He would be the man for you to learn all about flyfishing for bass.

You don't have to feed fish everyday. Put a dozen minnows or goldfish in the tank and see how long they last. I suspect a dozen once a week will be sufficient. You can adjust the number after a couple of weeks and your pet fish will be fine. I had a friend that kept a bass for a long time and he only fed it when we wanted to watch it feed. The fish seemed to stay happy and healthy.

Big Bigger and Biggest

Hey Matt_Fly! Just for the record, the World Record walley was caught at Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee. The previous record was held by Greer's Ferry in Arkansas. A little north of Texas, but not "Northern". Although I have no argument with the Bassmaster's Greatest Bass Fisherman results (btw, I picked 'em in that EXACT order), if the poll had been for the Greatest FISHERMAN of all time, my vote would have been for the Lindners, hands down. I highly recommend the In-Fisherman Smallmouth & Largemouth books which the Lindner brothers helped write.