Mainebass1984 Posted June 20, 2015 Posted June 20, 2015 So far this spring I have been spending a lot more time in Vermont and have been trying to catch a trophy smallmouth. The fishing for smallmouth has been pretty good and consistent. A lot of 3s and a few 4s but I just haven't boated that once in a life time smallmouth. In my search for a true trophy I have been fishing all over the state. Lake Champlain has been good from Ti all the way up to the 78 bridge near Canada. The smaller lakes and ponds of central Vermont have been good as well. The area of Vermont known as the northeast kingdom has been most intriguing especially the closer to Canada you get. It is very scenic and peaceful there. I have been having great luck for bigger fish with a jig. Senkos, crankbaits and tube have been my next best producers. Still looking to catch a once in a lifetime fish. A couple good smallies. Biggest so far Any suggestions for boating finding and catching that once in a lifetime smallmouth ? 5 Quote
bobh64 Posted June 20, 2015 Posted June 20, 2015 So far this spring I have been spending a lot more time in Vermont and have been trying to catch a trophy smallmouth. The fishing for smallmouth has been pretty good and consistent. A lot of 3s and a few 4s but I just haven't boated that once in a life time smallmouth. In my search for a true trophy I have been fishing all over the state. Lake Champlain has been good from Ti all the way up to the 78 bridge near Canada. The smaller lakes and ponds of central Vermont have been good as well. The area of Vermont known as the northeast kingdom has been most intriguing especially the closer to Canada you get. It is very scenic and peaceful there. I have been having great luck for bigger fish with a jig. Senkos, crankbaits and tube have been my next best producers. Still looking to catch a once in a lifetime fish. A couple good smallies. Biggest so far Any suggestions for boating finding and catching that once in a lifetime smallmouth ? Umbagog in NH Has been pretty consistent lately best in smaller boat that lake eats lower units. Quote
jjconnaire Posted June 20, 2015 Posted June 20, 2015 I'm on this same mission on my lake in CT.. I have success catching fish but am looking for that once in a lifetime fish. I caught a 4lb13oz 22" smallie last year and that is definitely a big fish, but I know 6lb smallies live there. I'be been throwing bigger swimbaits 5-7". Have caught a lot more LMB but have also caught a couple 2-3lb smallies. Hoping i will get that big smallie on one this year. 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted June 21, 2015 Super User Posted June 21, 2015 Those look huge to me! Great pics too. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted June 21, 2015 Super User Posted June 21, 2015 What did the biggest one weigh? She is quite a chunk! I'm not the greatest smallie fisherman, I only catch decent sized ones in creeks when the opportunity arises, so the best advice I an give you is to keep fishing! The more you have a bait in the water, the more likely you are to collide with a Goliath smallmouth! You can do it! Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Posted June 21, 2015 What did the biggest one weigh? The biggest one weighed 4 lbs 13 oz. The state record in VT is 6 lbs 13 oz. 1 Quote
Trek Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 If your in search for big smallmouth then you need to go to the great lakes. Google top 10 spots for smallmouth bass and Lake Michigan, Lake Eire and Lake Huron are always in there several times. I have fished Lake Erie in PA. and it is stupid full of smallmouth in the 5 plus range. And Lake Michigan over around Green Bay they don't even take pictures of 4 pounders. The only problem with those lakes is the weather. You could travel a long ways and never get out. Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Posted June 21, 2015 If your in search for big smallmouth then you need to go to the great lakes. Google top 10 spots for smallmouth bass and Lake Michigan, Lake Eire and Lake Huron are always in there several times. I have fished Lake Erie in PA. and it is stupid full of smallmouth in the 5 plus range. And Lake Michigan over around Green Bay they don't even take pictures of 4 pounders. The only problem with those lakes is the weather. You could travel a long ways and never get out. You are 100 % correct. It is my goal to do it locally though. If I were to fish the great lakes I would have to take at least 7-10 days off and rent a boat. I would love to get out there at some point though. Quote
Super User webertime Posted June 21, 2015 Super User Posted June 21, 2015 Seymour... may be to late for this year though as the bigg'uns have gone deep. Green River Reservoir will surprise you. Boat is nearly done... get your Carolina Rig ready... Quote
MassBass Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 If you are getting 4 lbers thats good. You will need some luck for that once in a lifetime bite. It only takes one cast... Quote
Hogsticker Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 Love love love that bronze color. Those are some killer fish. I've been on the same mission for forever now. Don't feel so bad. My state record is 8.4, my personal best is 5.13. I'm gonna catch that big pig on a swimbait. I can feel it in my bones. 2 Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted June 29, 2015 Super User Posted June 29, 2015 I'm 95% smallmouth guy and have been in pursuit of a legit 6 pounder for years now. Minnesota has them and I have caught a good many 5+ pound fish. I've had some good stringers this year, one picture below...which is now my avatar. Yesterday...ughh, I'm still sick about it. On the Mississippi, I had a fish smash my plastic in 1 foot of water and peel off line to the main channel. Once there, I bet I didn't move that fish 2 feet for over 2 minutes. I thought it was a big walleye... Then, he finally moved...back and forth until about 10 feet from the boat. I know these things always look bigger in the water, but it was a smallie and it was huge. I got it a little closer so I could grab my net (I was alone) and he came off unbuttoned. Sideways in the water, suspended for a couple seconds, stunned he was free, then whale tail, splash...gone. I sat staring for 5 minutes... Have heard people for years talk about the big one that got away and speculate how big it was. I'm not going to do that, but for me this would have been at least a personal best... Dam ~ Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted June 29, 2015 Super User Posted June 29, 2015 The True Trophy Smallies almost all seem to come Very Early & Very Late in the Season. If you're Catching 4's, then 5's might be around. If you're catching 5's, then 6's, 7's & even Bigger may be in the area. If you're catching 2's & 3's Move. Good Luck on your Quest. A-Jay 1 Quote
baxtervol Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 The advice on the Great Lakes is very good advice. From what I have read the Smallmouth fishing there is awesome in quality and quantity, and it is much closer to your location. However, if you ever get down to the south then Dale Hollow Lake on the Tennessee/Ky border is a premier smallmouth fishery for those wanting size. The world record of 11.9 was caught there as well as the second largest of 10.8. In fact, six of the top ten smallies on record came from Dale Hollow- according to Bassmaster.com's list of twenty five largest smallmouths. In addition, thirteen of the top twenty five smallies were caught in Tennessee on either Dale Hollow, Center Hill, or Pickwick Lake. I wish you much luck in your quest. Quote
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