guitarkid Posted September 28, 2008 Posted September 28, 2008 I heard that Smallmouth bass fight harder than Largemouth bass.Being from Ms I have never caught a smallmouth. I don't think we have Smallmouth around here. Mike Tyson beats eats them both tumnus Quote
natanestaban Posted September 28, 2008 Posted September 28, 2008 DON'T FORGET SPOTTED BASS. A 5LB SPOT WILL MAKE YOU THINK YOUVE HOOKED A 25LB STRIPER. ROLL TIDE NATE Quote
Super User .dsaavedra. Posted September 28, 2008 Super User Posted September 28, 2008 pound for pound, chain pickerel fight harder than both of them Quote
Bassboss Posted October 6, 2008 Posted October 6, 2008 When I was younger, I visited my grandma in Wisconsin, me and my pops went fishing, I hooked into a small, smallie! Me and my pa both thought it would be bigger than 8", ;D Quote
Super User Paul Roberts Posted October 7, 2008 Super User Posted October 7, 2008 Man...the simple answer? lb for lb, rod for rod: Smallmouth. Largemouths in most places we catch them do not have the speed, quickness, or stamina. Nor do they leap as willingly, high, or often. But... I've found largemouth's that could almost compare to smallmouths, and they were caught in cover-free water in the mid to upper 70s water temps. Such fish, (out of several different water bodies) have shocked me with there near-smallmouth stamina, and their ability/willingness to jump up to 4 times. The cover-free part is important: LMs head for cover when in danger. They are notorious to fisheries workers using seines -LMs being nearly unseine-able. I've had LM's swim into not only weeds and wood, but muskrat holes too! If want one in the boat, keep it's head up. But notice I said "almost compare" and "near-smallmouth". A smallie in prime conditions is a bear to get a thumb on. They can wear you down. Ask Rick Clunn! I think smallies can throw a bait as easily as a largemouth, but are often less apt to because, I believe, they often bite down on a bait when they leap. Their leaps are more a flip or catapult into the air, rather than the slow, wide-gaped head thrashing of LM. pound for pound, chain pickerel fight harder than both of them Not sure if they are really comparable. Pickeral are spectacular fighters and are near the top of my list. But, being so narrow in body depth, they need to be caught on light tackle (soft rod/light line) to experience what they can do. They are mighty fast! Small northern pike can be almost as spectacular on appropriate tackle. Hybrid pike/musky ("norlunge") can be spectacular. I've had some jump high, wildly, and repeatedly like a smallmouth. But most do not. Not counting SW fish, I'd easily put bright fresh-run steelhead in the top spot. They are simply ungodly fast, jump higher and with more abandon than anything I've tied into. Bright fresh coho salmon are next. Chinooks are down on my list -they are big and fast, but rarely spectacular. In fact, they all do pretty much the same thing. Big striped bass are similar I've found. Quote
Big Tom Posted October 7, 2008 Posted October 7, 2008 I have caught 4 pounders in both species in a relatively close time frame. They both fought much different. The LMB sort of rolled lazily on the top for a spill and then started diving hard at the boat. After a couple of good runs he gave up pretty easily. The SMB was a different experience all together. The fish inhaled the grub in ten foot of water. Not even two seconds after I set the hook it had swam straight up and was actually about three feet out of the water. When it wasn't in the air it was diving and running everywhere. Such a fun fish. Quote
JL Zingg Posted October 7, 2008 Posted October 7, 2008 I'll tell ya, I've caught many perch out of the potomac and chopawamsic rivers, and boy ARE THEY SURPRISING. On many occassions a perch will out pull a bigger largemouth. Quote
farmpond1 Posted October 8, 2008 Posted October 8, 2008 To make it nearly unanimous, I vote smallmouth. They don't even quit when you're releasing them. I've had numerous smallmouth give me a defiant splash on their way back down. Sadly, it was a rough year for smallmouth in central Illinois. The early spring flooding and higher than average rainfall this summer made things difficult. Even Canada produced only very small ones for me. Oh well, there's always next year! Quote
Rich K Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Smallies go ballastic! Seems like their will to live is that much stronger. Every one I have hooked into, I almost unconsciously say out loud, "this fish really does not want to be hooked!" Since, I have small kids and have seen "Finding Nemo" about 1000 times, the thought of Nemo saying, "swim down" also comes to mind. If you cannot get their heads turned, they do just that and will try to wrap you around stuff and break you off. And if you do get their heads turned, be prepared for some awesome acrobatics! Make sure you are keeping pressure on them when they jump - they will shake your lure otherwise. Great fighters! Quote
Rich K Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Oh well, there's always next year! This year is not even close to being over! I am so looking forward to catching the big ones that are fattening up for the winter here up North. I am sure you must have a longer season down there by you. I know there are some parts of Illinois where some bodies of water never see ice. Quote
farmpond1 Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Oh well, there's always next year! This year is not even close to being over! I am so looking forward to catching the big ones that are fattening up for the winter here up North. I am sure you must have a longer season down there by you. I know there are some parts of Illinois where some bodies of water never see ice. True. Just don't know if I'll have the chance to make it out or not. The Kankakee river is awfully tempting but it's a drive. Quote
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