Best Northern Place To Break The 10# Mark

[WRB]

How many members of this site can honestly say they have caught a 10 lb plus LMB, close to Wisconin?

My guess is zero!

You go west to California, south to Texas or Mexico, or southeast to Florida where DD bass are available.!

you can fish a lifetime anywhere else and never catch a 10 lLMB.

Tom

[mikey5string]

I know the OP isnt from CT but this thread is interesting to me, being from the north and into catching a 10lb bass ; )

There was a 9 plus caught in the CT river this season. There is a thread on where the next state record will come from over on another fishing site, a lot of people mentioned the river.

In CT, I have yet to weigh a 5lb bass ; (

That is a nice fish up here. I've seen them caught pretty regularly though. I would say 5-6lbs is an average "big" fish in CT. A 7+ is a trophy. A 10 is a.... I wouldnt even know what to do if I got a 10lber in the boat alone. Willing to bet there'd be a lot of controlled breathing. I believe the state record is 13 and change. A great day of fishing for me would be a few 3-5 pounders per hour.

I lived in Savannah GA for a summer a few years ago and I ended up getting to fish a private golf "community" pond. My first cast I hooked up with a MONSTER. It was over 6 lbs! I ran it over to the guys (from GA) to show them my trophy and they weren't nearly as impressed as I was. I believe they thought it was "cute" how excited the yankee got over an average bass for the area.

I only got to fish a few times down there but every time I got at least one 5+. You have to remember that they have all year to feed heavily down there. The bass do too! (sorry, couldnt resist)

PS

to who mentioned Candlewood. I went for the first time about a month ago and was impressed with the average size of the fish. Smallies in particular!

[Basswhippa]

I believe the Lake Erie record is 9-8, caught by Randy VanDam in the early 90s.

I'm almost certain that was a smallmouth and not a largemouth. Toad smallmouth isn't it? LOL

[J Francho]

I'm almost certain that was a smallmouth and not a largemouth. Toad smallmouth isn't it? LOL

Yes, that was a smallie, of course. My point was to refute the claim that DD are coming out of Erie. There's probably a one swimming around there, but we'd know if a legit DD was caught.

[Basswhippa]

I believe the Lake Erie record is 9-8, caught by Randy VanDam in the early 90s.

I don't know the lake, but wouldn't there be a chance that a largemouth could even grow larger? That is typically the way it is in the southeast and the other areas of the country such as portions of the midwest and west that I am more familiar with due to publicity. 10lb smallmouths in the TN River vs 12, 13 and even 14 pound largemouths. Largemouths just grow bigger than smallmouths here, and for that matter out in Texas, Oklahoma, California etc. May not be apples to apples. I was thinking Van Dams record was for a smallmouth only and there may actually be 10's in Erie, extremely rare though they may be.

[Amoore9900]

There is a private lake across the river from Evansville Indiana that produced a 10 a few weeks ago...it is at a hunting lodge you can pay to fish it...it has f1 tiger bass in it...I haven't fished it just read the reports...Even then a 10 is hard to get but at least have a shot..I

[NoBassPro]

As much as I want to say Florida, I really don't know. I've caught one over ten, and several close to that mark. The one over 10 was just pure and unadulterated luck. I've been trying to beat it for a few years now, and just can't break my PB.

I honestly believe most of my PB's have had a large amount of luck involved. They either came when targeting other species or otherwise totally unexpected. That being said, I've spent a few years and who knows how many dollars chasing that next bigger one of a couple different species. My personal advice is don't take a trip just for a trophy. Once in a lifetime fish are called that for a reason, they are rare. You may get one, but odds are you won't. So, unless you are willing to take multiple trips at times and places known to kick out big fish don't wait out for that 10 lber. Find a place with a decent shot and go for the fishing and experience. Also, there is no place close to Wisconsin with a decent shot at a 10'lber. IMO your best bet in the states is to find a way to hook up with Big-O from what I have seen.

[Izan]

It would be interesting to see a map of the US color coded showing the lateral lines and the bass weight from north to south. I would bet there is a distinct line that separates bass over 10 pounds.

[grimlin]

I live in Michigan, I have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than catching a 10 lber. I personally have set 7 lbs as the benchmark for a giant. I meet people who will call a bass a 5lber because " my fist fit in it's mouth "or other scientific methods of weighing fish That said I'm trying to break 6 lbs 6 oz which I've done twice, Lots of 5's with a personal best stringer of 24 lbs 10 oz. Last couple of seasons spending some of my on the water time throwing big swimbaits hoping to up my chance of catching a Michigan version of a giant.

My goal is to break into the 6lb class here in MI. I don't care if it's a largemouth or smallmouth....I just wanna break pass the 5lb mark.

I'm not even sure i could get a 10lb'er even if i was in the south somewhere. You still gotta know where they are and get them to bite.

So far I'm failing....2 1/2 pound is the heaviest I caught this year.

[KingMidas]

Head to Lake Michigan. Make and break a goal for a 7lb smallie

I agree. You would probably want to get a guide or at least seriously study some maps before you go. You can do a lot of messing around and not a lot of catching fish out on Mich if your not prepared.

Im from Illinois and as far as catching a 10 pounder here goes...good luck. The state record for LMB is 13 pounds 1 ounce. And that was caught in 1976. Im not going to say it is impossible to catch a double digit bass in the midwest, but if you want to plan a trip to have a really good chance at catching a trophy, id make the commitment to travel a ways.

[Bluebasser86]

I know exactly which lake you are talking about....AND I have a 10 pounder to my credit that came from that lake!

So you've caught one of the elusive La Cygne DD bass huh? I've caught lots over 5 and had a 30+lb 5 fish stringer that included the biggest bass I've caught from there, 7lbs 2ozs. I've seen several 8's, and a high 9 in person down there and I've seen the pictures of the 10's that get caught each winter. The odds are against me but I'm still out there almost every weekend during the winter months.

As for the OP's question, there is a couple lakes in Northern Missouri that have DD fish in them. I hooked one a few years ago at Hazel Creek Lake in Kirksville, MO that would have given the MO state record a run for it's money. Mozingo lake produces several 8+lb fish a year and I'm sure probably has a few DD bass in it. Still, the amount of time and money you'd spend trying to find a northern largemouth will be way more than if you take a couple trips to a lake that is known for it's big bass potential.

[Nice_Bass]

How many members of this site can honestly say they have caught a 10 lb plus LMB, close to Wisconin?

My guess is zero!

You go west to California, south to Texas or Mexico, or southeast to Florida where DD bass are available.!

you can fish a lifetime anywhere else and never catch a 10 lLMB.

Tom

You could travel far to catch larger fish but that was not the question- I also would be much more proud with a 10+ NLMB than travel south where it may be better odds. We have 10 pound fish caught in IL every year, however I do not know a single person that has one over 8 from my in state waters. Best bet for a 10 pounder NLMB is in MO as blue stated. That is where i catch all my PB's.

[Jig Meister]

After thinking about this the last few days I have come to the conclusion that no matter where you go, you are going to be hard pressed finding a DD LMB.

Sure some places will give you better chances, but really its all a crap shoot.

I was looking over Ohio records and the State record is a 13.5# caught from a farm pond.

Now over the years I have caught my biggest fish out of larger farm ponds/lakes, and it got me thinking, You probably have just about a good of a chance catching a DD bass where you live as you do anywhere else.

I would search out unpressured lakes in your neck of the woods first, before traveling the world for it.

Also, take a trip to Lake Biwa, Bass fishing is still new to Japan, and after looking over and researching Lake Biwa, that place probably gives really good chances, but it has only had bass since the 30's (give or take), so who really knows, but a 20+ came out of there.

[NoBassPro]

and it got me thinking, You probably have just about a good of a chance catching a DD bass where you live as you do anywhere else.

I would search out unpressured lakes in your neck of the woods first, before traveling the world for it.

No. IMO if you are serious about trophy hunting, beyond just searching records, looking at genetics, environment, and available prey will give you some good ideas about where you might find that fish you really want. I don't know how common, or rare, 10 + lmb are, never really went after them, but with the fish I have gone after, persistance and getting to know the bodies of water you choose often provided better results than going willy-nilly "chasing rainbows" after the next hot bite you heard about.

[Primus]

My goal is to break into the 6lb class here in MI. I don't care if it's a largemouth or smallmouth....I just wanna break pass the 5lb mark.

I'm not even sure i could get a 10lb'er even if i was in the south somewhere. You still gotta know where they are and get them to bite.

So far I'm failing....2 1/2 pound is the heaviest I caught this year.

I used to live in the Ypsilanti- Milan area not too far from Canton, I think the fishing is a little tougher over there than it is in the SW side of the state where I currently reside. I'm guessing you are probably hitting Ford Lake & Belleville Lake. I remember catching decent ones in Ford but most of what I caught back then were on the small side. I was more of a casual angler in those days as I didn't have a boat at the time and other then shore fishing I couldn't fish on lakes unless some one took me. Anyways, that bigger fish is going to come. With the 1000's of lakes we have try a few different lakes to up your odds of catching some bigger fish. Good luck.

[BigBassBarry]

I caught an 11 lb 2 oz in Oklahoma post spawn this year. My father caught a 9 lb 12 oz post spawn this year. We both have caught a dd digit at fork during the spawn at fork. The problem with fork is it is getting harder to fish because the number of fisherman fishing there is growing.

[J Francho]

I don't know the lake, but wouldn't there be a chance that a largemouth could even grow larger? That is typically the way it is in the southeast and the other areas of the country such as portions of the midwest and west that I am more familiar with due to publicity. 10lb smallmouths in the TN River vs 12, 13 and even 14 pound largemouths. Largemouths just grow bigger than smallmouths here, and for that matter out in Texas, Oklahoma, California etc. May not be apples to apples. I was thinking Van Dams record was for a smallmouth only and there may actually be 10's in Erie, extremely rare though they may be.

Smallmouth are WAYYYY bigger than largemouth on Erie. There simply isn't the right habitat for a 5 lb. largemouth, let alone a 10 lb. largemouth on Erie. Now, 5 lb. smallie on Erie? You are almost assured one or more, if you put some time into it.

[NoBassPro]

A hundred years from now, Florida will still be producing double-digit bass, but the future of Florida-strain bass outside their natural range is not so certain. It's rarely addressed, but when any fish species is transplanted outside its native range it's susceptible to "Declining Genetic Vigor". With each new generation, the chromosomes tend to revert or malign. We've seen this in California where each waterbody in the limelight tends to poop-out over time, until the baton is passed to another emerging waterbody. Castaic produced the greatest number of Cali freaks, but its brief heyday lasted a mere 2-1/4 years between Jan, 1989 and Mar,1991. Castaic hasn't made news since March 12, 1991 (21 years ago). Miramar hasn't laid a golden egg since 1998, and Casitas hasn't been in the limelight since 2002. It's also beginning to look like Dottie closed the book on Lake Dixon.

Roger

Out of curiosity, what exactly do you believe the chromosomes of a wild type subspecies that already contains a decent amount of genetic diversity are reverting to? And why do you believe that is the reason for a decline in catches and not the factors that allow a fish to achieve its full genetic potential - and that allow a fisherman to catch it?

Using Lake Michigan as an example, from what I have seen the greatest influence on size is relative prey abundance, with changes in catches most closely following prey cycles and stocking. Its not uncommon from what I have seen for introduced species to have poor recruitment due to lack of suitable spawning and rearing habitat moreso than what I believe could be attributed to a decline in genetics.

[Michael DiNardo]

If relative prey species are the limiting factor in growth, where is the world record smallie from Erie? Those fish have more gobies than they know what to do with. It's genetics, just like in humans, seven foot centers aren't playing basketball because they ate right.

Mike

[NoBassPro]

If relative prey species are the limiting factor in growth, where is the world record smallie from Erie? Those fish have more gobies than they know what to do with. It's genetics, just like in humans, seven foot centers aren't playing basketball because they ate right.

Mike

You do realize that increased nutrition has led to an overall increase in the size of the average human, correct? Its having all the factors come together that will allow a fish to achieve its maximum genetic potential that allows for world class fish to grow and be caught. In the introduced L Michigan Salmon and Steelhead fishery I was referring to, alewive abundance does appear to be the primary limiting factor as to the size of the fish caught, with little evidence average size has decreased over time due to lessening genetic quality despite the fact that the fish used for reproduction have come from a limited portion of the fishery. The term "declining genetic vigor" is most commonly associated with the problems due to inbreeding.

In reference to world record smallmouth coming out of Erie, you will also note that Erie has colder winters than the waters the world record fish came out of. Thermal burnout can be a concern with fish, but so can a shorter annual timeframe within which to grow.

[Michael DiNardo]

Exactly, "achieve it's genetic potential", without the genes, all the nutrition in the world won't do it.

Mike

[NoBassPro]

Exactly, "achieve it's genetic potential", without the genes, all the nutrition in the world won't do it.

Mike

yea, thats what i was getting at. it takes both, however this "declining genitic vigor" just seems wrong to me without further explanation or evidence. its not all one thing, though

[WRB]

Out of curiosity, what exactly do you believe the chromosomes of a wild type subspecies that already contains a decent amount of genetic diversity are reverting to? And why do you believe that is the reason for a decline in catches and not the factors that allow a fish to achieve its full genetic potential - and that allow a fisherman to catch it?

Using Lake Michigan as an example, from what I have seen the greatest influence on size is relative prey abundance, with changes in catches most closely following prey cycles and stocking. Its not uncommon from what I have seen for introduced species to have poor recruitment due to lack of suitable spawning and rearing habitat moreso than what I believe could be attributed to a decline in genetics.

+1 astute observation;giant bass can only achieve maximum weight when prey abundant and bass are the primary predator. To successfully catch giant bass there must be a good population of these special fish for anglers to have a chance of locating a bass active and be skilled enough to catch it.

Tom

[Grizzn N Bassin]

man just find a nice small lake or a private pond / mini 2 acre lake that no one fishes and fish it till you cant know more i just caught my pb 7.8 on a jig as ran it past a patch of cover there always a big one in there maybe not a 10 pounder but im sure pretty darn close!!

[Bassn Blvd]

IMO, RoLo pretty much hit the nail on the head with his advice.

I'll bet a hundred bucks on the following.

Option 1:

I select 5 members from this forum to fish Lake "O".

Those 5 members fish 40 hours over a 7 day period.

Fish artificial bait.

I bet at least two 10 pounders wil be caught.

Option 2:

Same guys.

Same lake.

Using live shiners.

Half the time spent fishing.

Multiple 10 pounders caught.