Where I live I have the best of both worlds.I live about 15 minutes from a boat ramp at Smith Mtn Lake and in the other direction I have the mighty New River and also the James River,both of which turn out monster smallmouth year after year.Generally after the water heats up and the largemouths go deep,I hook up my jon boat and hit the rivers for some summertime smallmouth.Man,some days on the river turn 50+ smallmouth,not all are "keepers" but generally you will catch 6-7 1 pounders then you'll catch a 2 1/2,then 6-7 more 1's then a 3 pounder.....it's always great fishing somewhere in a river because the smallies seem to always be looking to rip something up.
But on the other hand,there is nothing like heading to the lake,trolling down the bank in early spring and catching an eyeful of an 8 pounder laid up on a bed.Oh man,what a rush!!COME ON SPRING TIME !!