Smallies have ruined me 2024

bweave09 reply :

I think I have a problem. I caught my first smallmouth (about a 2.5 pounder on pickwick while on a guided prefishing trip with Jimmy Mason)on September 10th of this year and ever since I haven't had as much fun catching anything else. I even dreamed about them the other night. I am not near a healthy smallmouth population and it is driving me crazy. Is this normal?

fishermantony reply :

Very normal, smallies have had a similar affect on me.

tjc76 reply :

They ruined me too. But thankfully I am close to some great smalllmouth fisheries.

MNGeorge reply :

Do you have any rivers near you? You won't understand the true meaning of being addicted to Smallies until you're addicted to river Smallies. Fortunately, I live within a few miles of some excellent river Smallie fishing.

Dwight Hottle reply :

Welcome to the normal smallie withdrawal syndrome.

Nick reply :

George,

Your Minnesota waters are a dream to fish usually, but what's the deal with all that river weed clogging up the stretch above Little Falls? In three years, it's made that stretch almost unfishable on the Mississippi. Thanks.

gotarheelz14 reply :

As far as NC goes (noticed your Raleigh, NC stat) you got the Mayo, Dan, Uwharrie, New, Yadkin, French Broad, and some others.

Out of all those I have personally fished the Mayo, Dan, Uwharrie and the New. I have caught smallmouth in all. This was at the very beginning of the summer though when I had JUST started fishing. What does this mean? If I could catch one back then lol, well its safe to say there had to be pretty stable populations of fish!

If you are ever close to any of those rivers, I would definitely check them out.

bweave09 reply :

There are smallmouth here in Columbia in the Broad and Congaree Rivers, but I haven't caught any. All largemouth so far. Anything specific to target in the river for smallmouth?

MNGeorge reply :

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George,
Your Minnesota waters are a dream to fish usually, but what's the deal with all that river weed clogging up the stretch above Little Falls? In three years, it's made that stretch almost unfishable on the Mississippi. Thanks.

Nick,

That stretch has been somewhat of a mystery to me and all my fishing buddies...those weeds do make it tough to get around for sure. 2010 was worse than normal due to low water and warm temps in the Spring. Many places I've never seen weeds in 30 years of fishing the upper Mississippi had vast stretches of weeds. It was bad enough when the weeds were just growing everywhere, but when the water rose so dramatically mid to late Summer, many of those weeds tore loose and we had floating and suspended weeds in the water for almost the remainder of the season. Many Summer/Fall presentations were not an option at all...anything with a blade or a treble hook would foul almost immediately upon hitting the water.

Instead of beating your head against a wall on that Little Falls stretch, I suggest you drop down to the stretch below the Royalton dam and try that. If you have to stay on the Little Falls stretch, the 2 best options we've found are a swim jig fished along the edges of the weed beds or over the top of them and a soft plastic jerk shad fished along the sides and/or just downstream of the weedbeds. Keep your fingers crossed for high dirty water and a cool Spring. ;D

Bluebasser86 reply :

This last fall I found myself driving an hour and passing several good largemouth lakes just to fish for smallmouth that don't get nearly as big around here. Problem is that a 2 pound smallmouth fights as hard as a 5 pound largemouth does most of the time and is way more acrobatic. There is something intoxicating about catching them. I'm very lucky to live within a couple hours of some pretty decent smallmouth lakes or I would be in real trouble.

Clyde reply :

I have to say that chasing smallmouth is a serious addiction. I am not very good at it but I catch small ones out of the creek just behind my house. Then we catch them out of a canoe in a small river about 20 miles away. I would much rather spend the day chasing them .

Blu reply :

I am a some what recent convert to Bass fishing. I do enjoy catching a Smallie over a large mouth any day but to me nothing beats any trout in the very early in the year when the ice is first melted off the lakes.

tipptruck1 reply :

I can count the number of large mouth I have caught on both hands. small mouth on the other hand no. I have caught and beaten my 5 lb small mouth pb. Were I fish its not uncommon to hook in to many fish over 4 lbs.

Heres my pb caught last year. Yea it is dirty. I had to beach it. No net and treble hooks flying every were. That fish was still fighting while I took the hooks out.

flippin and pitchin reply :

I started to fish for smallies seriously about three years ago and would rather go after them than largemouth. My only regret is not getting serious about them 20 years ago.

roadwarrior reply :

Man, that's a beauty!

J Francho reply :

I'm probably better at fishing largemouth, but I do love the smallies too. Some nice catches from this fall:

flippin and pitchin reply :

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Man, that's a beauty!

Thanks Kent,

I caught 4 more about the same size all in about 45 minutes. The best trip of my life to date. My hand still shakes. BUT !!!!!!! When I grow up, I want to be Dwight Hottle. The man is a pig master.

Big Al23 reply :

Wait until you catch some 4+ bronzebacks!

And my buddy's 5

new2BC4bass reply :

Hey, Big Al, was your buddy frozen with shock? My grin would have been from ear to ear with any of those fish!!! What nice hooooggzzz. ;D

GrundleLove reply :

I have been fishing for a long time and have never even caught 1. ever.

Dave T. reply :

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Do you have any rivers near you? You won't understand the true meaning of being addicted to Smallies until you're addicted to river Smallies. Fortunately, I live within a few miles of some excellent river Smallie fishing.

Man, if that's not the truth! Our smallie river is just a few miles away... I've been dreaming about the spring bite already, and all my gear is cleaned up, and ready to go. Now I just need the foot or so of ice on the shoreline to thaw out. LOL

CAdeltaLipRipper reply :

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This last fall I found myself driving an hour and passing several good largemouth lakes just to fish for smallmouth that don't get nearly as big around here. Problem is that a 2 pound smallmouth fights as hard as a 5 pound largemouth does most of the time and is way more acrobatic. There is something intoxicating about catching them. I'm very lucky to live within a couple hours of some pretty decent smallmouth lakes or I would be in real trouble.

mmmmm... i dont think so lol a 2 pounder fighting as hard as a 5?ive never noticed really a difference between them,although i havent caught many smallmouth. The largemouth we have out here fight excellently,especially the ones in the delta because they have to fight current. I think that yes smallies can be more acrobatic,and they use more tail movement,but i think largemouths have more pull. I just think a 2 pounder compared to a 5 pounder is a little too much,but maybe its different in other places and i also havent caught many smallmouth. Sorry if i might be being biased because largemouth is my favorite lol. But the fish over here fight extremely well, i think

Please smallmouth fanatics dont chew the crap out of me for my opinion lol

bigredxlt reply :

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This last fall I found myself driving an hour and passing several good largemouth lakes just to fish for smallmouth that don't get nearly as big around here. Problem is that a 2 pound smallmouth fights as hard as a 5 pound largemouth does most of the time and is way more acrobatic. There is something intoxicating about catching them. I'm very lucky to live within a couple hours of some pretty decent smallmouth lakes or I would be in real trouble.

mmmmm... i dont think so lol a 2 pounder fighting as hard as a 5?ive never noticed really a difference between them,although i havent caught many smallmouth. The largemouth we have out here fight excellently,especially the ones in the delta because they have to fight current. I think that yes smallies can be more acrobatic,and they use more tail movement,but i think largemouths have more pull. I just think a 2 pounder compared to a 5 pounder is a little too much,but maybe its different in other places and i also havent caught many smallmouth. Sorry if i might be being biased because largemouth is my favorite lol. But the fish over here fight extremely well, i think

Please smallmouth fanatics dont chew the crap out of me for my opinion lol

without a doubt pound for pound small mouth fight harder than largemouth. I love fishing for both, but the I think the main difference is the fighting style a lot of times largemouth will swim up making the easier to bring in, but the majority of smallies I have caught will dive and dive especially when they get close to the boat. Now if it is 2 to 5? not too sure about that but 3 to 5? I think thats a fair comparison.

Dave T. reply :

Yea, I don't know about that 2lb to 5lb or 3lb to 5lb stuff. However, I do now that I've been fortunate to fish lakes near where I live that have a good population of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. I've caught plenty of similar sized fish of both species on the exact same tackle, and I would still have to give a slight edge to the smallies in lakes.

Now, river smallies is a another story... especially those that get to decent size in a fast flowing river like portions of the Susky and New River... and similar. The same size smallie in those places will "slap the snot" ;D out of both those lake fish. After all, they battle some form of current 24/7/365... sometimes for 10 years or more.

Throw in the possibility that if you connect on a good one, he has the current on his side... sometimes a LOT of current. Then, add in the fact that if you are targeting smallies specifically, you are probably using lighter tackle to begin with... the result is like having a stick of dynamite on the end of your line.

Whatever the case, they both are great game fish, but a good size river smallie is really something special.

CAdeltaLipRipper reply :

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This last fall I found myself driving an hour and passing several good largemouth lakes just to fish for smallmouth that don't get nearly as big around here. Problem is that a 2 pound smallmouth fights as hard as a 5 pound largemouth does most of the time and is way more acrobatic. There is something intoxicating about catching them. I'm very lucky to live within a couple hours of some pretty decent smallmouth lakes or I would be in real trouble.

mmmmm... i dont think so lol a 2 pounder fighting as hard as a 5?ive never noticed really a difference between them,although i havent caught many smallmouth. The largemouth we have out here fight excellently,especially the ones in the delta because they have to fight current. I think that yes smallies can be more acrobatic,and they use more tail movement,but i think largemouths have more pull. I just think a 2 pounder compared to a 5 pounder is a little too much,but maybe its different in other places and i also havent caught many smallmouth. Sorry if i might be being biased because largemouth is my favorite lol. But the fish over here fight extremely well, i think

Please smallmouth fanatics dont chew the crap out of me for my opinion lol

without a doubt pound for pound small mouth fight harder than largemouth. I love fishing for both, but the I think the main difference is the fighting style a lot of times largemouth will swim up making the easier to bring in, but the majority of smallies I have caught will dive and dive especially when they get close to the boat. Now if it is 2 to 5? not too sure about that but 3 to 5? I think thats a fair comparison.

mmmm..maybe lol.Idk i still think itd be even with a delta largemouth those guys are a lot feistier than the ones up in our lakes. And we've caught quite a few 4 plus pound fish at the delta,and they dont mess around lol theyre straight beast.Plus the delta is like cover trees vegetation galore hahaha that doesn't help out much.I really would like to go to lake erie or something and bed fish for smallies that looks awesome!

And just another comment here,it seems like from what ive seen on tv, the 3 to 4 pound smallies fight harder than the bigger 5 pound plus smallies.It seems like they have more energy

Dwight Hottle reply :

CAdeltaLipRipper wrote

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And just another comment here,it seems like from what ive seen on tv, the 3 to 4 pound smallies fight harder than the bigger 5 pound plus smallies.It seems like they have more energy

Not true based on my personal experience.

Dave T. reply :

Dwight,

I bet if some non believers caught a smallie like the one in your avatar... they would have a entirely new respect for smallies!

MNGeorge reply :

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CAdeltaLipRipper wrote

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And just another comment here,it seems like from what ive seen on tv, the 3 to 4 pound smallies fight harder than the bigger 5 pound plus smallies.It seems like they have more energy

Not true based on my personal experience.

CAdeltaLipRipper reply :

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CAdeltaLipRipper wrote

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And just another comment here,it seems like from what ive seen on tv, the 3 to 4 pound smallies fight harder than the bigger 5 pound plus smallies.It seems like they have more energy

Not true based on my personal experience.

Lol again, i dont know a whole lot about smallies,well atleast from the catching perspective.It just always seems like the 5 pounders i see them catch on tv don't do as much as the 3 or 4s

River Rat316 reply :

3s and 4s will be more acrobatic, but bigger fish have the ability to be acrobatic, and scream drag at the same time. I haven't done near as much lake fishing for smallies as river fishing, those river fish are something else, they are just flat out a mean fish, they will fight you until you put them back in the water, then they splash you on the way out.

MNGeorge reply :

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3s and 4s will be more acrobatic, but bigger fish have the ability to be acrobatic, and scream drag at the same time. I haven't done near as much lake fishing for smallies as river fishing, those river fish are something else, they are just flat out a mean fish, they will fight you until you put them back in the water, then they splash you on the way out.

Well said, Rat. I couldn't agree more.

MaineBassMan reply :

Nice looking bronze backs guys!!, Well the winter time blues are here. The boat and tackle are cleaned up and put way. Time to get some hunting in till spring.

Most of the waters I fish hold both smallmouth and largemouth. I love fishing for both of them and yes I feel that they fight differently. In my experience a largemouth might give you one or two decent jumps and then they just pretty much pull for the bottom. They are usually easier to net. Smallmouth on the other hand seem to jump and move a lot faster pulling side to side and for bottom and they never like going in the net. Just when you think you have them you put the net in the water and they go ballistic again.

River smallmouth are the ultimate fighters. I've caught a few lazy largemouth but I don't think I have ever caught a lazy smallmouth no matter the size.

I love both of them but if I had to pick just one to fish for the rest of my life it would definately be smallmouth hands down.

roadwarrior reply :

CAdeltaLipRipper,

Why wouldn't you believe these guys that regularly

catch huge smallmouth? Especially since you haven't

caught many and don't really target the species.

I don't understand your point.

J Francho reply :

The point is, he knows what he knows from TV, and a few fish he's caught. Obviously, that's carries more clout than decades of fishing experience. Its a disturbing trend, really. I mean, why go out and learn from reality, when the internet is so fast and easy?

Obviously, I'm being facetious. When guys like Dwight, Kent, myself and others post about our experiences, you young guys might want to listen. I know I wouldn't have been able to catch ANY of the big fish I've caught without listening to other, more experienced anglers. There's nothing wrong with not being an expert.

Dave T. reply :

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those river fish are something else, they are just flat out a mean fish, they will fight you until you put them back in the water, then they splash you on the way out.

I couldn't agree more!

bankerbasser reply :

I'm afraid they're in the process of ruining me also ! I haven't caught that many, but man are they fun ! They are the most beautiful fish I've ever caught, not to mention how mean they are. I am focusing on catching a big one (6 lbs or better !) at Pickwick for the forseeable future.

Crankenstein_MI reply :

I love smallies as well. Living in Michigan is the greatest spot for a smallie addict. You are not far from world class smallmouth waters from just about anywhere in the state. I know st.clair and erie get all the press, but we have a lot of other waters that are just as good: Saginaw Bay and its tribs, Little bay de noc, East and West Traverse Bay, St.Clair River, Lake Huron, Grand River, Elk lake, Burt Lake, Torch Lake, Leelenau lake, etc etc etc.

BzWildman81 reply :

I live near Lake Guntersville and will see 50 plus boats going down as I go up. I know that I can catch a 20+ lb bag of largemouth and pleny of 4-5 lbers. But I would rather go up river and look for smallies any day.

KWM reply :

I have only caught one Smallie since I started fishing...I grew up by lakes that stocked LMB and crappies. Last fall I got stationed in DC and this summer, I am going to the Potomac to target the smallies, I don't have a boat, but I got chest waders. Can't wait to the fight to begin.

John N reply :

Brown fish are highly addictive

Jeff H reply :

We have a sportsmans publication here in MN where one of the regular columnists referred to smallmouth as "invasive specie" and P'd and moaned about how they were taking over his walleye spots on the lake where he has his cabin. I wish I'd saved it and could post it for you guys to read now. I think it was titled, "The only good bass is....." He didn't have much good to say about them. I was shocked (and PO'd of course) to read something like this, it was pretty bad. I've meant to write in and call him out but forgot about it until now.

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Smallies have ruined me 2024

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