Best Northern Place To Break The 10# Mark

[RyneB]

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

I agree with him, go get yourself a 7 lb smallie. If that doesnt get your blood flowing, you're not a bass fishermen. I have caught a 8 lb largemouth, and a 5 lb smallmouth. I will take that 5 lb smallmouth over that largemouth anyday. I understand you are asking about largemouth. But think about all the smallmouth waters around you in wisconsin. GOLD MINE. I fish Wisconsin a lot, and there is a few lakes that i can catch an average of 20 largemouth at 3lbs. To me, that is decent day on the water. I have found with the northern waters like Minnesota and Wisconsin, people target northern and musky. In reality, bass arent really pressured. But if someone had a gun to my head and told me i had to catch a trophy bass, i would head to Florida, Texas, or California.

[RyneB]

Based on your avatar Tezz, you already achieved your trophy walleye...kudos

I lived in New Jersey most of my life, and fished the northern states and Canada extensively. I now live in the deep south and can tell you firsthand

that the northern tier is characterized by quality bass fishing, a region known as the Bass Box. But any serious quest for double-digit bass involves a trip to the deep south.

In my view, it's vital to rule out opinion, sentiment and hearsay by referring to tourney results and documented records. If your target goal is an 18-lb largemouth bass, California is your 'only' choice. I should add however that your odds of success would be no better than winning the Mega Millions Lottery. To my knowledge, California hasn't certified a single bass over 18 lbs since Mar 2006, six years ago and counting.

In the state of Texas, 15 pounds represents a very stubborn weight-ceiling, as a matter of fact, Texas has only 'one' certified bass over 18 pounds. All the same, if your target goal is a 15-lb bass, then Texas is your best hope. Year-after-year, Lake Fork continues to produce an impressive string of Florida bass topping out at 15 lbs & change,

Now back to your question. The odds of landing a 10-lb bass are best by far in the state of Florida. No state even comes close, which should come as no surprise to anyone. The largest bass throughout the world are "ALL" Florida-strain bass, a fact that shouldn't be taken lightly. This means that outside of Florida the only waters possibly containing Florida-strain bass are those that were "transplanted by man".

It also means that the many thousands of waterbodies not stocked with Florida bass are simply out of the running.

In The First Place:

"Any" of the thousands of lakes and ponds in Florida are capable of producing 10-lb bass, and indeed most of them have. Bass in Florida tend to plateau around 12 pounds, but the state churns out an unparalleled volume of 9 to 12-pound bass throughout the year. Lake Okeechobee and Mexico lie south of the ideal latitude for long-lived bass, where bass tend to die prematurely of thermal burnout. For this reason, neither the Big-O nor Mexico have put a dent in the record books, where weights tend to plateau around 10 pounds. Nevertheless, this year and last year Lake Okeechobee spewed a dizzying amount of 10-lb bass and 30-lb stringers, a lake that lies in the native range of Florida-stain bass

In The Second Place:

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.

Back On Topic:

If you're looking for a 10-pound bass, Florida has no equal. To be sure, Falcon Lake is currently riding the crest of Florida-strain magic,

but if Mother Nature has her way, the gravy train won't last forever. Since the *** of B.A.S.S in 1967, the all-time heaviest 5-bass stringer

was taken from Lake Toho, Florida in 2001 by Dean Rojas. In spite of the numerous tournaments held on the California Delta, Clear Lake, CA,

Lake Fork and Falcon Lake, the Florida stringer still retains the title. Dean's stringer weighed 45-lb 2-oz, an average of 9 pounds per bass.

By no means a fluke, Mark Davis weighed a 41-lb 10-oz stringer during the same Toho tourney but it wasn't good enough.

Come on Down

Roger

Im on my way. I have read a lot of travel documents and emails. But i can honestly say that yours makes me want to travel to Florida more than those yuppys.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

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.

Hard to put it any better than that. It scares me watching some of the shiner guys out on Okeechobee. It's unreal how many big fish are in that lake that us artificial users never see.

I'm still looking for my Okeechobee DD bass.......

[Deleted account]

Its not "northern", but I know of at east 3 over 10 that are still swimming in Southern MD.

[00 mod]

Lake level is on the rise

June fishing producing some giants Baits: spinnerbaits, and crankbaits starting 5" and 6" swimbaits in Pearl, White and Mullett color, topwater ( Zara Spooks ) Date / Time Fished: July 2012

07/06/2012

Here is the revised report.

Post trip report from Bill Doll.

Fishing was un-believably good with p.m. rain about every day.

South end of the lake and other bays are clear or slightly stained, but still good water.

Deep diving crankbaits and spinnerbaits were the producing lures.

Seventeen over 10, twenty four over 11, twelve over

12, three over 13 for (56) total.

Fishing report for Lake Baccarac in Mexico! These are all caught on artificials, no live bait. Absolutley crazy. I would say this is your #1 place right now for a 10 lber.

Jeff

[Bassn Blvd]

Lake level is on the rise

June fishing producing some giants Baits: spinnerbaits, and crankbaits starting 5" and 6" swimbaits in Pearl, White and Mullett color, topwater ( Zara Spooks ) Date / Time Fished: July 2012

07/06/2012

Here is the revised report.

Post trip report from Bill Doll.

Fishing was un-believably good with p.m. rain about every day.

South end of the lake and other bays are clear or slightly stained, but still good water.

Deep diving crankbaits and spinnerbaits were the producing lures.

Seventeen over 10, twenty four over 11, twelve over

12, three over 13 for (56) total.

Fishing report for Lake Baccarac in Mexico! These are all caught on artificials, no live bait. Absolutley crazy. I would say this is your #1 place right now for a 10 lber.

Jeff

Now that's impressive.

[00 mod]

I am supposed to be headed down there shortly, and will let you guys know how it goes. I also read that all of these fish were weighed on a scale and documented. The guy even gave his phone number out to non believers for actual proof. The owner of the lodge said it is the best fishing he has ever seen right now. Those numbers did come on the full moon, and are not 100% typical, but I would say your chances of catching a 10+ would be best there!

Jeff

[FD.]

i want to break the ten pound mark for lmb only problem is i live in wisconsin so ill have to travel. what whould be the nearest place to do that along with the time of year to do it.

To answer the original question:

Location - "North" end of Toho in February with a bucket of shiners watching a bobber for 3 days. You are nearly guaranteed a DD.

[Michael DiNardo]

Thanks for getting back to the original question. If I was trying to catch a DD in PA, my concentration would be on a seldom fished farm pond, golf course lake, or a strip mine lake. I would bet that the same conditions apply to WI.

Mike

[Bassn Blvd]

Jeff,

You're one lucky man to go fish that lake, Typical or not, your chances of even 1 fish over 10 are so much in your favor. Take some video. I'd mail you my GoPro if I could figure out what I did to not make it work, haha.

[00 mod]

If anyone wants to mail me a go-pro, I will set it up! If not you are sure to get lots of pictures and a full detailed report when I get back.

Jeff

[deep]

That's great 00mod. I hope you catch a (few) new PB(s).

[00 mod]

I'm trying for it! It was my goal this year, and I am doing everything possible to do it! I have been stuck on my pb of 8lb 9oz for a year and a half. Which is a long time seeing I fish at least twice a week!

Jeff

[roadwarrior]

i want to break the ten pound mark for lmb only problem is i live in wisconsin so ill have to travel. what whould be the nearest place to do that along with the time of year to do it.

Addressing the OP:

The answer might be Pickwick Lake in the spring. Late winter and early spring 2012 has produced more 10+ than in the entire history of

the reservoir. You should consider attending the RoadTrip 2013. Although there is no chance of catching a new World Record largemouth,

there is a remote possibility of hooking up with the next World Record smallmouth!

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

[RyneB]

You could always fish cooling lakes. They produce some decent fish, and im sure theres a 10 swimming in a few of them. But they dont get 10 lbs by being stupid and getting caught. Us guys up north have to deal with the winter and the bass dont feed nearly as much. I fish a private strip mine that has some big bass in it. I have caught 1 8lber and several in the 4-6 lb range. I have seen some bass that look to be in the 10 lb mark, i have just never seen em on the end of a line. The guy who owns it is trying to make it a trophy bass fishery. 3 years ago he stocked it with trout and a lot of them made it through the winter. The water is gin clear and deep (50 foot max depth). Before the trout stock, bass average about 2 lbs. I would do some research and find the closest fishery to you that stocks trout, that seems to be the baitfish of giant bass. The amount of fish caught has dropped, but the size has gone up. Good luck on your quest.

[Crookedneck]

A 10# bass, largemouth or smallmouth in this part of the country is going to be hard to come by. Not saying it isn't possible, just hard to do. The state records for largemouth in MI and Wi are 11 lbs'ers the smallmouth records are both 9lbs'ers. MN large and smallmouth records are both in the 8lbs range. Iowa smallmouth record is a 7lbs'er, it's largemouth record is a 10lbs'er, Illinois smallmouth is only a 6lbs'er and the largemouth record is 11lbs.

Lake Michigan and Superior probably hold the key to coming close, but plan on spending hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades.....trying.

I'm not saying they aren't out there, just saying good luck in the north. I would recommend heading south. The southern states have a longer growing season due to warmer weather.

Good luck

[Nice_Bass]

A 10# bass, largemouth or smallmouth in this part of the country is going to be hard to come by. Not saying it isn't possible, just hard to do. The state records for largemouth in MI and Wi are 11 lbs'ers the smallmouth records are both 9lbs'ers. MN large and smallmouth records are both in the 8lbs range. Iowa smallmouth record is a 7lbs'er, it's largemouth record is a 10lbs'er, Illinois smallmouth is only a 6lbs'er and the largemouth record is 11lbs.

Lake Michigan and Superior probably hold the key to coming close, but plan on spending hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades.....trying.

I'm not saying they aren't out there, just saying good luck in the north. I would recommend heading south. The southern states have a longer growing season due to warmer weather.

Good luck

Data on IL is incorrect- not sure about the other states. However, IL is only at just over 13 LMB, smb 6 and change, spotted i believe 7 and change.

[haydenf96]

Webster Lake in Mass!

[PABASS]

I have seen one Bass from PA that was claimed to be 10#s, he showed me the photos and it could have been a 10#, was caught maybe in eagle's mere lake, I cant recall. Of course he was a trout guy, which I love trout fishing[fly fishing] to but man he just didn't realize that is a once in a lifetime deal around here. Anyway my PB came from FL when I was 16 on shrimp and a bobber of all things, they have some of the largest bass hence the Florida strain... If its a goal make it easier and head down south to Florida and try one of the many lakes and get a guide to put you on the big fish. I would love to take my own advice on this..

Been fishing for awhile and my biggest fish in PA maybe 6lbs, when down south at 16 and I knew allot less about fishing then a do now and in a 5 day period caught the largest , Bass, Sunfish, Crappie and Alligator that I personally have ever caught till this day.

[tugsandpulls]

i caught an 8# in ma this year our state record is 15# but its very rare to catch anything over 5 to 7 # here

[retiredbosn]

Best northern place? South Florida

[bass1980]

I think with harsh weather up north along with Bass not being the top predator in the northern states its extremely difficult to get a 10#+ near WI. MN state record is only 8#. Sure you hear stories of back in the day and all, and its a possibility but today's fishing pressure makes it even more if a challenge.

Honestly if you really are looking for that number I suggest just book a flight to Lake Okeechobee, Florida. You can YouTube it and people have clips of catching 10 pounder.

[Amoore9900]

The private lake I live on has produced 6 10 pound bass the last 4 years..(from 2 boats)..pure Northern fish...still you might get 1 or 2 a year....If your looking at Northern States that you could have access to there is a lodge near Evansville Indiana and it is stocked with F1 Fla/Northern Bass and produced a few 10's last year....it would be around 12 hours from you give or take I would guess...PM me and I'll tell you the name..(I have nothing to do with them but plan to fish it this spring)

[Clint C.]

This might be off topic but the reservoir I fish here in Il, the dnr claims there may be a few over ten and this place is over 100 years old! Only 70 acres.

I think to help you catch one no matter where you go check out John hopes book "tracking trophies".

I don't think the reservoir I fish is worth the trip, but if you'd like pm me and I'll give you the details. Spring is your best bet obviously. Biggest I've seen personally out of it was 7lb 14oz. This past spring.