Good Read about Smallmouth (book)

[DoDFire]

I'm not much on reading books but I did download this several years ago on a Kindle and read it at night throughout the year while lay'n in bed. Nothing like a good bed time story for a grown man. 

 

The Last Smallmouth by Tony Bean

 

If you like to read about fishing especially smallmouth this is a good one, I have used a lot of info that is in this book and apply it to my winter time hair jig fishing. Check it out and sweet dreams.

[basscatcher8]

I've read that book quite a few times. It definitely is a good read.

[BigSkyBasser]

This is good to know. I find that most of the bass fishing literature I come across doesn't focus enough on the Smallmouth. 

[OkobojiEagle]

It's one of 4/5 books on my "read every winter list"...  Bean's other book is similarly good.

 

 

oe

[razor6570]

Thanks for the info on the book. I am going to look it up tonight.

[Further North]

I have this in my Kindle, have not get to it yet...thanks for the reminder to move it up the list.

[badgerboyng]

If you have been fishing for smallmouth for a while, you probably won't learn much from this book that you didn't already know. It doesn't go into depth on any advanced topics. Instead, it focuses on tried and true techniques, such as slowly reeling in grubs and hair jigs. The beauty of this book, however, is the simplicity of the author's techniques. In a fishing market that is saturated with "cutting edge" lures and specialized equipment, it's refreshing to read such a simple, classic approach. The lures discussed in this book are timeless. The author offers great suggestions for lure color, which I found to be very helpful. 

 

He also talks about the go-to structure that always seems to hold smallies. 

 

I would recommend this book, but just know that, after reading it, you'll probably think "Man that book is a classic. Reminded me of the good ole' days" rather than "I just learned 20 new techniques that are guaranteed to catch huge bass!"

[Skeeloco]

On 3/2/2017 at 1:47 PM, badgerboyng said:

If you have been fishing for smallmouth for a while, you probably won't learn much from this book that you didn't already know. It doesn't go into depth on any advanced topics. Instead, it focuses on tried and true techniques, such as slowly reeling in grubs and hair jigs. The beauty of this book, however, is the simplicity of the author's techniques. In a fishing market that is saturated with "cutting edge" lures and specialized equipment, it's refreshing to read such a simple, classic approach. The lures discussed in this book are timeless. The author offers great suggestions for lure color, which I found to be very helpful. 

 

He also talks about the go-to structure that always seems to hold smallies. 

 

I would recommend this book, but just know that, after reading it, you'll probably think "Man that book is a classic. Reminded me of the good ole' days" rather than "I just learned 20 new techniques that are guaranteed to catch huge bass!"

 

I agree. Also some of the methods and baits he recommends are obsolete these days...the book was published in 2012 but a lot of the writings are decades old. Do pork trailers even exist anymore? His stories however made it a good read and did pick up a few things. Really can't complain for $4 kindle edition.

 

[RoLo]

For anyone in search of a highly informative book regarding Smallmouth Bass,

I strongly recommend: "Smallmouth Bass an In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies"

It's a repository of bronzeback data published by Al & Ron Lindner, Doug Stange,

Dan Sura, Bob Ripley, Dave Csanda & Larry Dahlberg  (it rocks the boat).

 

Roger

[FryDog62]

On 3/10/2017 at 5:21 PM, RoLo said:

For anyone in search of a highly informative book regarding Smallmouth Bass,

I strongly recommend: "Smallmouth Bass an In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies"

It's a repository of bronzeback data published by Al & Ron Lindner, Doug Stange,

Dan Sura, Bob Ripley, Dave Csanda & Larry Dahlberg  (it rocks the boat).

 

Roger

 X2 above --

Also books by Tim Holschlaug, although more from a river/spinning reel/fly rod perspective. 

[volzfan59]

I'm an avid reader when it comes to fishing. In addition to Tony Beans " The Last Smallmouth" (I also own a copy), here are a few more excellent Smallmouth related books.

*"Them Ol Brown Fish"* Billy Westmoreland

"Stream Smallmouth Fishing" Tim Holschlag

"River Smallmouth Fishing" Tim Holschlag

 

*This book is kind of like what badgerboyng said about Tony Beans book, it's more of a classic that speaks to the old days of Smallie fishing and Dale Hollow. Kind of hard to find, but copies are out there.

RoLo and Frydog62, I'm going to try to find a copy of the In-Fishman book you wrote about.

[volzfan59]

RoLo and Frydog62, Just ordered the book, "Smallmouth Bass an In-Fisherman book of Strategies". I should receive it in about a week.

 

Thanks

[Turkey sandwich]

The In-Fisherman and Holschlag books are good, albeit very different in that one focuses more comprehensively on rivers, the other lakes.  Both are very good, and worth owning, especially in understanding the important stuff like seasonal patterns, how they apply to smallmouth preferences in water/cover/temp/etc, and of course current.  

 

I have not read Tony Bean's book, but I am a huge advocate of classic techniques.  Almost nothing catches fish with the kind of versatility of a grub on a simple ball jig, tube, etc.  I have a massive collection of tackle (like most of us... the tackle monkey is real), but under most conditions, almost nothing produces numbers and quality fish under most clear water conditions like a grub.  If you subscribe to the idea that it's outdated and fails to produce, I'd suggest giving it an honest effort to learn to fish.  I have confidence in very few lures like I do a grub and thousands of river fish ranging from 6" to 4lbs+ to justify it.  

[basscatcher8]

On 3/2/2017 at 12:47 PM, badgerboyng said:

If you have been fishing for smallmouth for a while, you probably won't learn much from this book that you didn't already know. It doesn't go into depth on any advanced topics. Instead, it focuses on tried and true techniques, such as slowly reeling in grubs and hair jigs. The beauty of this book, however, is the simplicity of the author's techniques. In a fishing market that is saturated with "cutting edge" lures and specialized equipment, it's refreshing to read such a simple, classic approach. The lures discussed in this book are timeless. The author offers great suggestions for lure color, which I found to be very helpful. 

 

He also talks about the go-to structure that always seems to hold smallies. 

 

I would recommend this book, but just know that, after reading it, you'll probably think "Man that book is a classic. Reminded me of the good ole' days" rather than "I just learned 20 new techniques that are guaranteed to catch huge bass!"

I enjoyed it more for the talk about how the fish acts in its environment. I definitely didn't go into it looking for techniques. I enjoyed his explanation of finding "home" and how the fish will relate to "home" during given conditions. 

 

I just started reading the In Fisherman book until my dog at it yesterday.  Already got another ordered. Definitely some good info in what I read already.

[clayton86]

I just started Jim Roots book "smallmouth bass fishing for everyone" today. So far it's pretty good and in depth for what I was able to read this morning. 

[Further North]

Here's a new one, just started shipping last week:

http://tightlinesflyshop.com/tight-lines-guides-new-book-smallmouth-pre-order-save-25/

 

https://www.amazon.com/Smallmouth-Modern-Methods-Tactics-Techniques/dp/0811715590

 

...received my copy Tuesday, great so far.

[volzfan59]

I received my copy of the In-Fisherman Smallie book yesterday. As soon as I clear the decks, as far as what I'm reading now, I'll start it. Jim Roots book looks really good, I'll be ordering it soon. My winter reading is getting better and better.

[Turkey sandwich]

1 hour ago, volzfan59 said:

I received my copy of the In-Fisherman Smallie book yesterday. As soon as I clear the decks, as far as what I'm reading now, I'll start it. Jim Roots book looks really good, I'll be ordering it soon. My winter reading is getting better and better.

 

The In-Fisherman smallmouth book is a great, broad book. The Jim Root book is going to be on the reading list this winter, in all likelihood.  The catches he posts on Facebook are ridiculous.  

[PatrickKnight]

On 9/15/2017 at 4:32 AM, Turkey sandwich said:

The In-Fisherman and Holschlag books are good, albeit very different in that one focuses more comprehensively on rivers, the other lakes.  Both are very good, and worth owning, especially in understanding the important stuff like seasonal patterns, how they apply to smallmouth preferences in water/cover/temp/etc, and of course current.  

 

I have not read Tony Bean's book, but I am a huge advocate of classic techniques.  Almost nothing catches fish with the kind of versatility of a grub on a simple ball jig, tube, etc.  I have a massive collection of tackle (like most of us... the tackle monkey is real), but under most conditions, almost nothing produces numbers and quality fish under most clear water conditions like a grub.  If you subscribe to the idea that it's outdated and fails to produce, I'd suggest giving it an honest effort to learn to fish.  I have confidence in very few lures like I do a grub and thousands of river fish ranging from 6" to 4lbs+ to justify it.  

 

I have said it before if I could only have one lure for smallmouth it would be a 4 inch green pumpkin grub. I often get weird looks when people look into my river bag and find nothing but jigheads and various tubes, grubs, and swim baits.

[bowhunter63]

Tim Holshlag River Smallmouth is a great read.

[MIbassyaker]

I have these:

--The Last Smallmouth (bean)

--River Smallmouth Fishing (Holschlag)

--Smallmouth Bass Strategies (in-fisherman)

--Smallmouth Strategies (NAFC)

--Smallmouth Bass (Bassmaster)

 

I haven't read the last two in detail, but the first three are really great and different from each other enough that it's worth having all three. The Root book looks like something I'll have to get, too.

[Birdman2136]

I wish the Holschlag and in-fisherman books were available on the Kindle.

[volzfan59]

I got my copy of Jim Roots book today. Skimmed through it already, looks great.

[Strikeking]

Had no idea so many of you guys had read my book. I can’t tell you how humbling it is to stumble on threads like this where people say so many kind things about you and your work. I love smallmouth more than any other fish on this planet. I hope that’s conveyed in my writing and the photos I post. 

Again, thank you all, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. ????

[Boomstick]

Thanks for sharing. I added it to my wishlist, perhaps when I get out of the hospital or later in my stay if I can focus enough to read I'll pick up a copy.