We’ve all probably caught some relatively small bass that due to extenuating circumstances (new or homemade lure, fishing with your kids, etc.) we’ve labeled as a nice bass. But generally, what’s your starting point for what you would normally consider a nice bass? 3 lbs.? 5 lbs.? Bigger?

 

To me, a 3 lb bass is a nice bass. But I realize that some catch bigger bass than I do on a regular basis so a 3 lb. bass may not be all that spectacular. And of course, where you fish and the type of water have a role to play as well. 
 

So my “nice bass” is 3 lbs. and up. What’s yours? 

sometimes it is not the weight, it is the situation and technic. but if we look at it from the weight point of view, I call 4lb plus as nice bass. but you know honestly I am going to bed every night(it is true), thinking of two digit large mouth. I am praying always amen.

2 lbs and up.  I don't catch many over 1.5 lbs

I have to defer to the old stand by - Depends. 

On where, what, how, and when I'm fishing.

 

Of course, when I am fortunate enough to get a real brute, 

then I may go with "That's a Nice One Any Where - Any Time".

 

A 7 lb Green Bass and a 5 lb Brown Bass both fit into that category IMO.

 

A-Jay

 

The first one of the day is always the nicest one.    After that I can be just as picky as I want about weight and length. And I always expect the next one to be a double digit.   

A fantastic bass would be something over my current PB.

A very good bass would be high 3's to mid 4s.

A good bass would be between 2# and 3# - half those go home with me.

Depends on the body of water. A 2 lber caught in a knee deep creek that's 25' wide is much bigger than a 2lber caught in a pond/lake. With that said, catching a 4 lber let's me know I'm in a big fish area.

I'd consider 1-2lbers "cookie cutter" fish I expect to catch every time I go out. A 3-4lber is a "nice" fish I don't get to catch every time, and a 5lber is a special fish..."Toad". Of course where I live an 8lber is a fish of a lifetime. 

In Florida, I consider any bass three pounds or better nice.   I believe the strongest fighting largemouth bass are around six pounds.  Bass larger than that do not generally clear the water.  They will try to break you off or run under the boat.  We call them "rooters".  Some folks think Florida fisherman only care about ten pound fish.  The fact is a 10 pound bass is rare no matter where you fish.  The average bass in Central Florida is about 2 1/2 pounds.  A nice tournament kicker is 5 pounds and over.  An average weekend tournament winning 5 fish bag on the Harris Chain is about 18-20 pounds.  This takes 4 nice fish and one kicker.  I once won a local tournament with two fish that weighed 19 pounds.  Two bites...two fish.  

I consider a 18 inch or bigger largemouth bass a quality sized bass and any bass over 24 inches is a lunker bass.

42 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

2 lbs and up.  I don't catch many over 1.5 lbs

Same

For me it’s about expectations. 
If just junk fishing anything over 3 qualifies. 
If punching mats it’s probably a 5+
If bed fishing I’d say a 7+ 

Anything 8 and up down here are special regardless of where and how. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

2lbs is starting to get nice but will take anything on a slow day.

Interesting that you Florida guys are saying 3 and up..I figured it'd be a little higher. I'd probably say 3lb or more here...but our top end is way lower..3 is nice, 4 is uncommon, 5 is rare, and 6 or more is almost unheard of at my main lake.

I guess 3 pounds to me is a nice bass. When I come home my wife always ask how many I caught and did I catch any nice ones. If I caught any over 3, that's what I tell her for the nice answer. I think my fishing thoughts have changed over time. When I first started fishing I was happy just to catch any size fish. As time went on I wanted to catch big fish. Now that I am in the later years, I am happy to catch a bunch of bass regardless of size. Of course if I catch some nice ones, that is that much better.

 

This weeks "nice one".

 

 

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

We’ve all probably caught some relatively small bass that due to extenuating circumstances (new or homemade lure, fishing with your kids, etc.) we’ve labeled as a nice bass. But generally, what’s your starting point for what you would normally consider a nice bass? 3 lbs.? 5 lbs.? Bigger?

 

To me, a 3 lb bass is a nice bass. But I realize that some catch bigger bass than I do on a regular basis so a 3 lb. bass may not be all that spectacular. And of course, where you fish and the type of water have a role to play as well. 
 

So my “nice bass” is 3 lbs. and up. What’s yours? 

 

im on board with you man. 3lbs + is a nice sized bass. I suppose it all depends on the location. I caught a 1lbs bass that was a monster for the tiny creek. For my neck of the woods, im saying 3+ pounds

4+ 

Nice to me is a 2 pound Smallmouth or a 3 pound Largemouth.

One with a mild disposition .

8 minutes ago, tander said:

I guess 3 pounds to me is a nice bass. When I come home my wife always ask how many I caught and did I catch any nice ones. If I caught any over 3, that's what I tell her for the nice answer. I think my fishing thoughts have changed over time. When I first started fishing I was happy just to catch any size fish. As time went on I wanted to catch big fish. Now that I am in the later years, I am happy to catch a bunch of bass regardless of size. Of course if I catch some nice ones, that is that much better.

 

This weeks "nice one".

 

 

Nice fish! 
 

Today’s bass just missed the 3 lb. cut-off lol. But heck, I still thought it was a nice bass! So much for my criteria!

 

I would say a 3lb bass is a nice fish anywhere. Many people think Florida, Texas, and California are just overrun with 10-20lb bass and I used to believe that also. It simply is not true. Now people in those areas may have a better shot at a true trophy, but like everything else, perception is not reality. 

28 minutes ago, Todd2 said:

Interesting that you Florida guys are saying 3 and up..I figured it'd be a little higher. I'd probably say 3lb or more here...but our top end is way lower..3 is nice, 4 is uncommon, 5 is rare, and 6 or more is almost unheard of at my main lake.

To me, a nice fish is any fish you enjoy catching and you want to catch more of.  If this discussion was about "bragging fish", it takes me eight pounds or better to get excited about a Florida bass.  Most people weigh bass with their eyes.  The fish they see are a lot bigger than the fish they catch.  People often send me photos of fish for our website.  I try to post them all.  I don't post weights because most of the ten pounder photos are sevens.  Back in the early seventies, I drew a partner in a national tournament who claimed to be the first person to catch 100 10 pound bass.   He was a good fisherman and I didn't doubt him.  That would be some feat today.

Tighteyes: 1 1/2# or less, there eyes are tight together 

 

Keeper: 2# plus, a legal keeper is 14"

 

Nice: 4 or 5# 

 

Hawg: 6# plus

90% of the time I am fishing creeks. Any Smallmouth over 16" is a trophy and I've never caught one over 21" so anywhere in between there would be "nice" however if I get ahold of Mr Redeye or pumpkinseed I condider that nice as well lol. For largemouth in still water It has to be 3-4 lbs

If it’s a keeper it’s a nice fish. Then you get into toads, hawgs, pigs, big mommas, etc