Big Water Or Small Water Preference? 2025
kudagra reply :
Simply put, do you prefer large lakes or smaller bodies of water?
For me, I don't know anymore. Use to love big lakes, switched to kayak fishing and now I either have a great day or get skunked. Whereas, I seem to be more consistent on smaller bodies of water.
bigbill reply :
I fish from shore in small places and man-made dams constructed for water power 200 years ago. I have access to fish larger lakes too.
I fish anywhere I can throw a line. My favorite places are the ones everyone just passes by. Some have never been fished. Even a water catch basin pond at a mall can hold 3lb bass.
If a shore fisherman stays focused and motivated success will follow. After all from a boat were fishing the same spot only backwards from shore. Where are the bass feeding at night? Along the shoreline. I have fishing spots that are close together I can gun and run with no boat to move.
My point is shore fisherman stop wishing and start fishing.
Senko lover reply :
I love small waters, all I've fished. I would love the challenge of breaking down bigger waters too, but I don't have a boat.
Rob96 reply :
With my canoe and trolling motor I prefer smaller lakes or horsepower restricted. The smaller lakes are electric only or unpowered and the 1450 acre lake I fish is HP restricted and has four launches.
A-Jay reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 3:57 AM, Rob96 said:With my canoe and trolling motor I prefer smaller lakes or horsepower restricted. The smaller lakes are electric only or unpowered and the 1450 acre lake I fish is HP restricted and has four launches.
Me Too ~
I also like lakes that require a concerted effort just to get to; especially the ones WITHOUT a boat ramp.
A-Jay
Rob96 reply :
The 1,450 acre lake I fish as regular launches as well as lots and grassy launch areas strictly for paddle type craft.
lo n slo reply :
My all time favorite body of water is a small lake that is connected to a much larger lake via overflow culverts only and separated from it by an interstate highway. It is 10 minutes from the house and has some quality bass in it. It is primarily a structure lake with little in the way of docks or fallen timber. Deepest water in the 35-40' range with plenty of 15-25' zones. Red clay, rocks, stumps, drop offs, points, a mile long stretch of rip rap, and those sweet brush piles, are the main features. It used to have only largemouth but we are catching alot of spots these days. I have been fishing this lake for about 30 years. My pb came from there in the fall of '98 and weighed in at 8.6 lbs, a monster for my neck of the woods. If something ever happened where I could not fish that lake it would hurt me bad.
doyle8218 reply :
No real preference.
Catt reply :
I love bass fishing! 
MIbassyaker reply :
Overwhelming preference for small and quiet. I regularly fish about 12-15 different lakes, rivers, and river bayous within an hour's drive of my home. But my three favorite lakes are:
1. 50 acres, surrounded by county park and a no motors restriction at the launch; excellent for numbers but not many big fish (although my PB came from it)
2. 30 acres, lightly developed on one side with a handful of houses and about 5-6 docks; no public launch, but can paddle in 1/4 mile with a canoe or kayak through a creek channel with roadside access. The docks are so overgrown I don't think even the residents use the lake much.
3. 100 acres, public launch, but very minimal parking. Good thing, too, otherwise it might get a lot more traffic -- not huge numbers of bass and it's easy to get skunked, but the average size bass living in here is probably bigger than that of all but a few of the other lakes in the immediate area. All developed, but the residents rarely seem to fish it and don't get up before about 10am.
Josh Smith reply :
Small. Quiet. If I can't enjoy nature there's no point.
Josh
mnbassman23 reply :
I split my time between the two about 50/50 but prefer smaller lakes due to being more relaxing. No added boat traffic from jet skiers and leisure boats is a plus in my eyes, but ultimately it's about catching fish.
ww2farmer reply :
I like medium water......not so big so that I can get around the whole place comfortably in my aluminum boat, but not so small that I can fish it all in a single day.
Kentuckysteve reply :
I will take a farm pond over a big lake any day.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I like the one I'm fishing at the moment, especially if it has big bass in it!
SirSnookalot reply :
Hard to be specif, your personal location has a lot to do with it. My basic training is great lakes as well as inland lakes back in MIch. I'm in South Florida now fishing pretty much small water. No thought involved for me in numbers, size and ease, Florida is a pretty easy venue to catch bass, 20" is barely worth an honorable mention.
You want big fish the 2 best options are the ocean and/or areas known for big bass and hire guide.
Lund Explorer reply :
My "home lake" is rather small at only 140 acres and its claim to fame is the fact that it is only 5 miles from the house and has very little in the way of water fleas. There are many other lakes just as close but they are mostly overrun by jet skis or a pain to launch at. Its biggest drawback is the fact that a lake that small only has just so many "spots".
The better lakes I fish are mostly between 2,500 and 4,000 acres in size. They provide way more places to hit during a day which increases the chance that I'm going to find active fish. I wish they were closer than a hour plus long trip from home so most of them are destination lakes for week long camping trips.
SirSnookalot reply :
My "home" places to fish are walking distance, 2-3 acres. An issue I read a lot about are people saying they want to be the best fishermen they can be. Who's to say you aren't already. People tend to use the wrong yardstick as a measure of ability, numbers probably is a better measure than size. Just because JOE BLOW in another part of the country catches bigger fish does not make him a better fisherman, just fishes locations that hold bigger fish. How does one compete with a resident of big bass state or another country, you can't. Your measurement of success can only be based on where you fish and what's available to you.
the reel ess reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 3:42 AM, kudagra said:Simply put, do you prefer large lakes or smaller bodies of water?
For me, I don't know anymore. Use to love big lakes, switched to kayak fishing and now I either have a great day or get skunked. Whereas, I seem to be more consistent on smaller bodies of water.
I kayak fish as well. And I like CATCHING fish. At this point in my fishing life, it's about looking for a trophy and getting a pic with it 
. I've got a local reservoir that is private and maybe 10 other people fish it. It's not pressured and has some real bruisers in it. I've been skunked once since the temp warmed into the 50's and really got rained out after 5 min. I can carry the kayak about 2 miles from home and catch quality or tow the boat 40 miles each way, use a public ramp and compete over a few dinks. No brainer.
the reel ess reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 4:04 PM, SirSnookalot said:does not make him a better fisherman, just fishes locations that hold bigger fish.
Absolutely. You can't catch a 10 pounder if there aren't even 5 pounders there. I fish a couple places where 3 pounds is a big fish. But they're good for numbers. And one is good for food.
Random Tackle reply :
small to medium rivers, creeks and the occasional farm pond here.
scaleface reply :
I like them both. Its a lot nicer to fish in a boat that you can move in than a small john boat. I purchased a 22 foot Lowe last year and havent had a chance to really use it. I'm hoping to get to Toledo Bend or Eufala this winter .
Catt reply :
First & foremost I love bass fishing, the body of water is irrelevant.
Do I like Toledo Bend?
Ya bet ya!
Do I like catching double digit bass?
Ya bet ya!
Every bass I catch in every body of water is a learning experience & makes me a better angler!
MIbassin reply :
Big water no question
Neil McCauley reply :
Big waters = big fish. Yes, there are a few exceptions, but the numbers of large (for the Northeast) fish in the Great Lakes, Champlain, and other similar lakes, is incredible. If you play it right, every time out is a great day and you can catch dozens of fish the size of the largest pond/small lake fish. Monster after monster. Just can't find that experience on small lakes.
I will say the experience of small back-country ponds with no road access or shoreline development is nice, too. Panfishing with a fly rod from a canoe is a blast.
Choporoz reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 7:06 AM, Josh Smith said:Small. Quiet. If I can't enjoy nature there's no point.
Josh
I agree with this to a large degree. Full disclosure; I fish from 14' boats and kayak...if I had 21' bass boat, I might feel different
I like to fish for bass and I like to catch bass first and foremost. But, I admit that I get quickly annoyed with: jet skis, water skiers, constant big wakes, busy docks where everyone seems to want to talk and interrupt my fishing, boaters with loud music (this is a big one to me...turn that thing down!)....pulling up to a desirable cove and finding three party pontoons essentially killing the whole bay for me......
DogBone_384 reply :
I'm a kayaker, so it's smaller bodies of water for me. I have a few 'cartop' only ponds/reservoirs near me which I like best because of light traffic.
the reel ess reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 9:14 PM, Choporoz said:I agree with this to a large degree. Full disclosure; I fish from 14' boats and kayak...if I had 21' bass boat, I might feel different
I like to fish for bass and I like to catch bass first and foremost. But, I admit that I get quickly annoyed with: jet skis, water skiers, constant big wakes, busy docks where everyone seems to want to talk and interrupt my fishing, boaters with loud music (this is a big one to me...turn that thing down!)....pulling up to a desirable cove and finding three party pontoons essentially killing the whole bay for me......
I used to spend the night and get up with the chickens only to find 2 21' rigs already fishing on my best spot. Then it's on to plan B or C. That's too much work for too few fish. I wasn't a good enough angler at the time to compete with those guys.
the reel ess reply :
It really depends on the small body of water, the management of it, water quality, type and amount of bait as to whether it can grow fish that can rival big lakes. I used to think all small bodies were hopelessly overstocked and held few if any trophies. But I've changed my tune. If I can get in a smaller body of water in a kayak and stalk big bass with zero competition and no annoyance from other boaters, I'm going to. And you can always specifically target the largest bass in the pond if you want to.
Master Bait'r reply :
I don't care about the size so much as the presence of emergent cover and a lack of traffic. I can't stand being on water where big boats are buzzing you without a care in the world, or rolling up on you and casting over your line while you hang on for dear life in your kayak while their massive approach wake hits you. People are too ignorant and selfish and I just want some d**n peace and quiet more than anything.
scaleface reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 10:44 PM, Master Bait said:I don't care about the size so much as the presence of emergent cover and a lack of traffic. I can't stand being on water where big boats are buzzing you without a care in the world, or rolling up on you and casting over your line while you hang on for dear life in your kayak while their massive approach wake hits you. People are too ignorant and selfish and I just want some d**n peace and quiet more than anything.
You take your kayak on large reservoirs ?
the reel ess reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 10:44 PM, Master Bait said:I don't care about the size so much as the presence of emergent cover and a lack of traffic. I can't stand being on water where big boats are buzzing you without a care in the world, or rolling up on you and casting over your line while you hang on for dear life in your kayak while their massive approach wake hits you. People are too ignorant and selfish and I just want some d**n peace and quiet more than anything.
The older I get the less I want to see ANYONE else whilst I recreate. The peace means more than the fish.
senile1 reply :
I like huge lakes. I like small lakes. I like everything in between as long as a body of water has a balanced population of bass. I tend to stay away from lakes where I know there isn't a chance of connecting to large bass.
Huge Lakes:
- Pros
- Big lakes with good balanced bass populations tend to have a greater number of large bass.
- While bigger lakes can be busy, especially those that are near large human populations, you can still find some secluded areas though you may have to travel farther in your boat to get to them.
- Huge lakes present a pleasant challenge to locate and find bass. To me, more thought is needed to determine bass location in a large lake.
- Huge lakes contain more scenery and more places to investigate.
- Cons
- In a big lake, bass can be more difficult to locate than in a small lake.
- If the bass are located on main lake points, main lake humps or any other structure related to the main lake you will have to deal with boat and recreational water vehicle traffic. Seclusion is not as easy to find.
- If huge boats are allowed on said lake, the rollers created from those boats can present a very rough ride that can, at times, be dangerous if one doesn't take precautions.
Small Lakes:
- Pros
- One doesn't have to deal with recreational boaters and jet skis. Traffic can be less if the lake is off the beaten path.
- Bass are easier to locate because there is less water to cover. Some lakes are small enough that much of them can be covered in a day of fishing.
- If lake is off the beaten path, bass are easier to catch due to less pressure.
- There is no danger from large boats and careless pleasure seekers on recreational craft.
- Cons
- Less water acreage means fewer big bass compared to a huge lake.
- It is easier for a small body of water to become out of balance with too few forage fish for bass to eat, resulting in "skinny" bass with big heads.
- Small lakes that are not off the beaten path can be just as crowded as a large lake. On a small lake, once it is crowded there is no place to go to get away, if desired; whereas, on a very large lake, if you want to get away from everyone you can always find a place. However, the location of the fish may require you to be in the most crowded places on the lake. That's fishing.
Master Bait'r reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 11:04 PM, scaleface said:You take your kayak on large reservoirs ?
Not usually, but even the smaller lakes around here with boat launches are just chock full of people with exactly zero sense and all kinds of boat to throw around.
the reel ess reply :
The place I fish most often, the most boats I've ever seen on it was 3 on July 4th. I joked with my buddy that we might see a skier soon. It's an electric motor-only drinking water reservoir.
Bankbeater reply :
Sometimes I like big water, and sometimes I like ponds. It all depends on the moment.
bassr95 reply :
I think finding and catching bass from a big lake is more rewarding than catching fish at small pond, but my fishing is probably split 50/50 between big and small water.
WRB reply :
SoCal doesn't have any big lakes, lots of big bass, so I fish where the bass are located. At my age I prefer fishing from my bass boat, it's comfortable and takes me to the bass with all my stuff to catch them with.
Tom
Neil McCauley reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 10:44 PM, Master Bait said:I don't care about the size so much as the presence of emergent cover and a lack of traffic. I can't stand being on water where big boats are buzzing you without a care in the world, or rolling up on you and casting over your line while you hang on for dear life in your kayak while their massive approach wake hits you. People are too ignorant and selfish and I just want some d**n peace and quiet more than anything.
Yep. I hate weekends on LG. I have had my line run over and ripped out and have also been swamped by speedboat wake and had to bail out 5 inches of water. I regularly have to give speedboats the bird, blow my whistle at them, shine them with my 1000 lumen strobe.... Some lakes are a ******* zoo in the summer.
chadmack282 reply :
What is the definition of big water & small water ?
Bass newb reply :
I prefer coves on big water, that way I'm isolated from the traffic but still have massive fish potential.
aprestonSEK reply :
Small. I love fishing strip pits!
Robeng reply :
I fish Lake St. Clair in michigan which feeds Detroit River onto Lake Erie. Great fishery. But all the boat traffic on weekends is crazy. Much better to fish during week. Thus, I love small inland lakes with cover n structure.
badhatharry reply :
In a perfect world, I would love to be on a small pond loaded with fish all by myself. But more realistically, on those days that the fishing is tough, it's nice to be able to run to a different section of the lake that offers shade, warmer/cooler water, different depth or structure.
WRB reply :
Big lakes to me are over 5,000 acres or more than 10 miles long, less than that it's small lakes or water.On 8/18/2015 at 8:12 AM, chadmack282 said:What is the definition of big water & small water ?
Tom
J Francho reply :
I like big fish water.
einscodek reply :
I need a body of water big enough that it has enough variety of structure in it.. shallows, deep, flats, ledges, channels
if a small 30 acre pond has that then I'll be on it.. otherwise it needs to be bigger
A-Jay reply :
On 8/19/2015 at 12:25 AM, J Francho said:I like big fish water.
The Definitive Response to this thread ~
A-Jay
Jaderose reply :
I mostly fish small Missouri Dept of Conservation lakes that are very well managed. Anything under 100 acres in MO is electric only. I only fish 2 that are bigger than that. I catch my share. Would I like to fish one of the big boys? Sure....but I'm not there and don't have the time or money to go there. I guess we do have one down south of me that a few may have heard of. I believe it's called "Table Rock"...lol
So I guess...small
steverowbotham reply :
I enjoy fishing small lakes here and there. But I enjoy the hunt in big water. Big water = Big Fish. They can just be a lot harder to locate. My home water is 178,000 acres.
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