Washington State: How Big Do The Bass Typically Get?

[The Brim Reaper]

Largemouth and Smallmouth alike. How big do you commonly catch 'em? Will a medium light rod with 20lb braid suffice? I ask because I expect to move to Western Washington in the near future.

[Glenn]

A Medium Light rod will not do it. Go with a medium heavy rod. We have lots of weedy lakes, so you're going to need some beef to yank them out. That said, we also have some very clear water, so you're going to need a lighter setup in situations where there's sparse cover (like rocky bottoms).

Average largemouth runs 2-4 lbs, smallies run a bit bigger. However expect a bruiser every now and then. My buddy just caught a 9lb 6oz largemouth 2 weeks ago (yes, a non-spawn fish!), and 5-6lb smallies are fairly common. State record is 9lbs.

[The Brim Reaper]

A Medium Light rod will not do it. Go with a medium heavy rod. We have lots of weedy lakes, so you're going to need some beef to yank them out. That said, we also have some very clear water, so you're going to need a lighter setup in situations where there's sparse cover (like rocky bottoms).

Average largemouth runs 2-4 lbs, smallies run a bit bigger. However expect a bruiser every now and then. My buddy just caught a 9lb 6oz largemouth 2 weeks ago (yes, a non-spawn fish!), and 5-6lb smallies are fairly common. State record is 9lbs.

Looks like I'll be needing some new rods then. All I own at the moment is a couple of medium-lights for Crappie and Bream. What size line do you suggest?

You wouldn't happen to know what the fishing's like in the Olympia area, would you? That's most likely where I'm moving to.

[DavePNW]

They have some good lakes in the Olympia area as long as you have a boat! Not much in the way of shore fishing around here

[The Brim Reaper]

They have some good lakes in the Olympia area as long as you have a boat! Not much in the way of shore fishing around here

Well, I don't want a boat, but I have it in mind to learn how to paddle and buy a fishing kayak.

[DavePNW]

that would do you fine! Look forward to seein ya on the water around here

[Glenn]

There's plenty of bass fishing around Olympia: Black lake, Patterson, St. Clair, Offutt, Long lake, just to name a few.

8-30lb line will cover most situations. You'll find clear water and dirty water, deep and shallow, flippin' and finesse...it's all there.

[iceintheveins]

There's plenty of bass fishing around Olympia: Black lake, Patterson, St. Clair, Offutt, Long lake, just to name a few.

8-30lb line will cover most situations. You'll find clear water and dirty water, deep and shallow, flippin' and finesse...it's all there.

Too bad I didn't know that when I lived in Marysville as a kid.

[Big Fish Rice]

Too bad I didn't know that when I lived in Marysville as a kid.

Marysville is where my wife is from, and they have lots of great bass fishing around the area.

As far as the original poster goes, Glenn has you on the right track. Our smallmouth are bruisers and scrappers. If I might suggest a few setups to make it easier with switching baits, I would have a medium powered dropshot rod, a 7' MH Jig/Plastics rod and another rod (preferable longer than 7') for throwing crankbaits.

Go-to colors for plastics are green pumpkin, cinnamon, and smoke with black flake.

My best colors for cranks include brown craw, chartreuse, sexy shad and perch

Deep techniques such as the carolina rig are very effective, as are blade baits and spoons

You can fish for anything in our neck of the woods - the only thing left to do is get to a spot and start fishing!

[iceintheveins]

Marysville is where my wife is from, and they have lots of great bass fishing around the area.

As far as the original poster goes, Glenn has you on the right track. Our smallmouth are bruisers and scrappers. If I might suggest a few setups to make it easier with switching baits, I would have a medium powered dropshot rod, a 7' MH Jig/Plastics rod and another rod (preferable longer than 7') for throwing crankbaits.

Go-to colors for plastics are green pumpkin, cinnamon, and smoke with black flake.

My best colors for cranks include brown craw, chartreuse, sexy shad and perch

Deep techniques such as the carolina rig are very effective, as are blade baits and spoons

You can fish for anything in our neck of the woods - the only thing left to do is get to a spot and start fishing!

What are some good bass fisheries within 2 hours of Marysville?

[Glenn]

Oh wow, there's a ton. Here's just a few, in no particular order:

Big Lake, Campbell, Clear, Stevens, Silver, Terrell, Whatcom, Goodwin, Shoecraft, Gissberg ponds, Martha lake, Serene, Ballinger, Cassidy, Lake Washington, Sammamish, Samish, Meridian, Stickney, Sunday, beaver, crabapple, Roesiger, Flowing, Panther, Cranberry, Bitter lake, lake Sawyer, and even Green lake.

There's more, but you get the idea.

[iceintheveins]

Oh wow, there's a ton. Here's just a few, in no particular order:

Big Lake, Campbell, Clear, Stevens, Silver, Terrell, Whatcom, Goodwin, Shoecraft, Gissberg ponds, Martha lake, Serene, Ballinger, Cassidy, Lake Washington, Sammamish, Samish, Meridian, Stickney, Sunday, beaver, crabapple, Roesiger, Flowing, Panther, Cranberry, Bitter lake, lake Sawyer, and even Green lake.

There's more, but you get the idea.

I've swam in Goodwin before, what type of fishery does it have?

[The Brim Reaper]

that would do you fine! Look forward to seein ya on the water around here

Great! Thanks!

There's plenty of bass fishing around Olympia: Black lake, Patterson, St. Clair, Offutt, Long lake, just to name a few.

8-30lb line will cover most situations. You'll find clear water and dirty water, deep and shallow, flippin' and finesse...it's all there.

This is nice to hear. My brother had me thinking the fishing isn't so good. I figured he just isn't familiar enough with the area.

Marysville is where my wife is from, and they have lots of great bass fishing around the area.

As far as the original poster goes, Glenn has you on the right track. Our smallmouth are bruisers and scrappers. If I might suggest a few setups to make it easier with switching baits, I would have a medium powered dropshot rod, a 7' MH Jig/Plastics rod and another rod (preferable longer than 7') for throwing crankbaits.

Go-to colors for plastics are green pumpkin, cinnamon, and smoke with black flake.

My best colors for cranks include brown craw, chartreuse, sexy shad and perch

Deep techniques such as the carolina rig are very effective, as are blade baits and spoons

You can fish for anything in our neck of the woods - the only thing left to do is get to a spot and start fishing!

Thanks for all of this information. Heaviest thing I have right now is medium-lights. I'm gonna have to buy some heavier rods. Now I know what to look for.

You all wouldn't happen to know what the panfishing situation is, would you? What species can you catch and how good is the fishing for them?