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Record Smallmouth Bass

The Dale Hollow has produced two largest smallmouth bass ever recorded. The record holders were at 11pounds 15 ounces and 10 pounds 14 ounces. These records make this reservoir the odds on favorite, but there are other contenders in the same region again that have produced fishes over 10 pounds. One of the most notable spot for smallmouth bass fishing is the Tennessee River, especially the streams running through Alabama and Western Tennessee.

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The Alabama state record for smallmouth bass fishing (10 pounds and 8 ounces) was caught from the Wheeler Lake below the Guntersville Dam. More recently, a number of instances of trophy smallmouth bass have been reported from the Pickwick Lake below the Wilson dam and on the river below the Pickwick Dam, technically which should be the Kentucky Lake.

Several factors act behind the prediction that the next record fish will be caught on the Tennessee River, the most important factor being the end of commercial cat fishing. Because of the expansion of Catfish farming throughout the Mid-south, commercial fishing has been deemed as economically infeasible. Commercial cat fishing during the summer surely resulted in removing a number of trophy smallmouth bass, but since there are legal restrictions on capture of game fish by net, relevant hard data on the subject is difficult to obtain.

Another factor that preserves the smallmouth species is the fact that smallmouth in the Mid-south are hard to target during summer and spring, when a large number of hobby fishermen are out on the water. In addition to that, for whatever unknown reasons, artificial lures have not been able to produce many big bronze backs from the river.

A third factor is the unpredictability of water released by the TVA, especially during the weekends. This release date unpredictability makes it problematic for a large number of fishermen to schedule their outings in this region. The water flow and the weather can be very volatile during the best part of the season, from October to March. Also, most weekend warriors do not fish in the late autumn or during the months of winter.

Finally, the Mid-south has to its credit a unique confluence of water temperature and baitfish production. This region is the southernmost border of the smallmouth range and adjacent to the northern boundary of the threadfin shad, also known locally as yellowtail. Abundant forage plus year round feeding produces big fish in a relatively short time span. In the Northern Waters a 5 pound smallmouth can be ten to fourteen years old. In the South, they live only for eight to ten years, but they attain the 5 pound weight by age four. (The fish caught by David Hay was estimated to be thirteen years old, thereby explaining its unique size.)

So, these variables affecting the fishermen's smallmouth fishing expedition makes this river system less desirable as a regular destination. Add to the important fact, that all of us, who target the big brown fish, never keep one...ABSOLUTELY NEVER. The combination of all these different factors makes this stretch of the Tennessee River a prime candidate for the next world record smallmouth bass.

I hope your next fish is the world record fish. Happy Fishing!

Bass Fishing Tips and Tactics For Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Tips For Catching Trophy Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Time and time again over the years, I have listened to many anglers and clients express their frustration at trying to catch smallmouth bass. Most anglers don't realize that these fish have their own set of behaviors that sets them apart from largemouth bass. The major differences between a smallmouth and a largemouth bass are as follows:

If you fish for smallmouth here in the northeast, especially in the Susquehanna river in Maryland, you will find that smallmouth bass do not stick that tight to cover. This is even more apparent in some of our slack water reservoirs. Smallmouth relate much more to a sudden or rapid depth change than they do cover. When we fish for largemouths, we are all taught to fish brushpiles and thick weedbeds, but small mouth bass are more likely to be caught on a rock ledge that drops off quickly from about six to twelve feet.

When fishing in the reservoirs here such as Conowingo, or in the rivers like the Susquehanna, smallmouths are sometimes caught shallow, but they are seldom more than 10-20 yards away from deep water. The Rapala DT series has been taking good smallmouth in these areas.

Everywhere we go, we see the majority of bass anglers beating the shoreline, and as this may work for largemouth bass most of the time, if you are after big smallmouth bass, turn around and cast to the open water rather than beat the shore.

Unlike largemouth, smallmouth often group together by size. I found that if we were catching smaller fish, in the eleven to fourteen inch range, we rarely caught a big one in the same area. On the other hand, when we caught a smallmouth that was above four or five pounds, many times there were several that size and even larger swimming right along with them. Big largemouth bass are loners, usually found by themselves on the best piece of structure, while larger smallmouth bass will often school together.

There are several things that tell you that smallmouth bass are much better suited for strong current than largemouth. For one, their pointed noses and the sharp angle of their fins are indicators that they are more suited to current. They often get behind a rock or stump and rush out to feed. Largemouth can adapt somewhat to current, but are much more at home in slack water.

Locating and then catching big smallmouth is a real challenge. That is why it is so much fun. Hopefully by reading some of these methods you have gained a better understanding of where these trophy fish go and what they are looking for, and of course, this will hopefully get you the fish of a lifetime. Remember, get out early and late in the year and brave the elements, hit these prime areas with the baits we described, and remember most of all, you are after a completely different fish! "These are NOT Largemouths!"

There are thousands of small ponds, lakes, and rivers that hold "Huge Bass" from Maine to Florida. Over the last 10 years of maintaining records, and having caught and released over 600 bass from 5 to 10 pounds, from small waters on the East Coast, and one over 10 pounds from Delaware, here are the tactics I have found that produce consistent trophies each year.

Even in small bodies of water (under 1000 acres), there will be only a small portion of the water that will hold the biggest bass. The most important features to look for are the areas where more than two or three different types of vegetation come together in the same area. Now, not all of these areas will hold big fish. The largest fish in the lake will always be in the best cover and locations. This will be where the various grasses combine near a creek channel on or near the beds and flats, adjacent to deep water cover.

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Generally, this deep water access will contain other cover also, which is not visible without the use and understanding of good electronics, and a good understanding of what you are observing. Sometimes the features on the bottom will be subtle, but will be the "Hot Spot" of the area. Small depressions, with rocks or boulders along the drop-off, if they have a current break, will be prime locations for "Trophy Bass." When there is no real cover such as rocks or trees, sometimes depth alone can provide the proper cover from light penetration, and produce good results.

In small bodies of water such as in Delaware and Maryland, the bass are generally in or very near the same locations all year. This does not guarantee a trophy by any means whatsoever. It is rare to catch the biggest fish in the lake by conventional means. Many large bass from five to eight pounds are caught on artificials, such as spinnerbaits, jigs, frogs, swimbaits, and buzzbaits each year, but as a rule, the true trophies, 9 pounds and above, are caught on specialized techniques and live bait. Recently, several big bass have been hitting big "Saltwater" Rat-L-Traps in the 3/4 ounce and up size in various colors, worked with a fast, pumping action of the rod, and with swimbait tactics employed by the west coast anglers.

The Sebile "Magic Swimmer" and the Tru-Tungsten 4 inch swimbait have really produced some big bass in the northeast. I never believed that these baits would work here until I met Bill Seimantel at the Big Bass World Championship at Table Rock lake in Missouri in 1999, and he convinced me to try them here in the northeast. Since that time swimbaits of all types have produced numerous trophy class fish.

When fishing for true "Trophy Bass", the best bait to use is the primary forage in the body of water where you are fishing. This should be researched in advance by contacting the Fish and Game Department of the state you are planning to fish in, and checking with local tackle shops. You also need to know what is legal to use in each state you're fishing.

Most lakes, ponds, and rivers in the Delaware and Maryland area, have golden shiners in them, and they will really produce big bass. When these are not available, extra-large wild shiners are the next best choice. If you insist on using only artificials, then a large frog, big buzzbait, a 12" worm, a 3/4 to 1 1/2 ounce Rat-L-Trap, or a "Castaic," "Sebile", or "Matt Lures" Swim Bait are the best choices.

You will need at least two or three dozen shiners each time you go, and they must be in a temperature controlled, chemically treated bait keeper system to ensure they are lively. This is very important. When using live millroach or shiners over a deep structure, I like to hook them thru the back, and for drifting, through the lips. When working cattails, marsh reeds, and heavy pads, I hook them through the tail and let them swim in towards the heavy cover where the bass are. Use 3/0 to 5/0 sharp, Daiichi or X-Point hooks. I like to use balloons instead of bobbers, they work best if you blow them up to about the size of a small orange. You can tie them directly on the line, and use split shot if you prefer.

The best equipment is a heavy action, 7-7 1/2 foot, E-glass or S-glass rod, of high quality, such as a G.Loomis or St.Croix. Recently, many rod manufacturers are making rods of composite and graphite materials that are lighter, yet stronger, and produce the same characteristics of the older E or S Glass rods. G. Loomis makes a good one, as well as Kistler. I always use line of at least seventeen pound test, and most of the time twenty to thirty pound monofilament. In certain deep water, or heavy cover situations, I use forty to fifty pound test "Stren Super Braid", or "Power-Pro line".

I suggest using a good baitcast rod, but a spinning rod in heavy action will also work. The reels should be a strong metal reel, with at least 3 ball bearings, and strong gears of brass or better, in a 5:1:1 or 5:3:1 gear ratio, or similar range. It is best for all around power and speed on these larger fish. Knots are very important. The best knot to use is the Palomar, it has 100% knot strength. You should also learn some other specialty knots for braid and other superlines as well.

The best time to go is whenever you can. However, if you have only a few days, and can choose, the solunar tables, weather conditions, and barometer, should all be considered. They play a major role in fish activity. In the very early spring, anglers who are willing to brave the elements will catch the biggest bass. These fish strike earlier in the year than most people imagine.

There are some great small waters for Trophy bass in Rhode Island, Vermont, Minnesota, Florida, and of course, California, Arizona, and Texas. However in the Northeast, you can't go wrong by spending your time in Delaware at Noxontown Lake in Middletown, Lums Pond in Bear, Killens in Dover, and Diamond in Milton. The Susquehanna River, Liberty Reservoir, and the Potomac River in Maryland also hold huge fish where you can catch both largemouth and smallmouth.. These waters, fished with the techniques outlined in this article, will produce you the "Trophy of a Lifetime."

Northeast Bass Fishing For Trophy Bass

How to Catch Big Fish in Small Streams - Essential Tips and Tricks

To me there is nothing more exciting than standing bank side to the crystal clear waters of a spring creek, surrounded by nature and its sights, sounds and smells, casting my line in attempt to catch a fish. This is not only as close to heaven one can get but in my opinion the best place to catch fish. In this article I will give you best tips and tricks to not just catch fish in small streams, but catch big ones! I learned a lot from spending years of trial and error and want to tell you in just a few minutes what I've learned. I have used these techniques over and over successfully and believe you can too! The first you need to know about fishing in small streams is what gear to use. Ultra light equipment is a must. Using ultra light gear gives you the advantage of maximum sensitivity to feel the hit (if using submerged flies) and gives you the ability to cast from the smallest of flies up to medium sized flies. Catching big fish using ultra light gear is also a ton of fun and will make you fishing experience that much better.

For ultra light gear, no heavier that a six-pound rod and reel is ideal. I personally prefer my 3 pound set up. For small streams, a weight forward floating line is best. You will also want about a 6ft tapered leader and a 2 to 3ft, 3 to 4 pound tippet. There is no need for a reel that has a heavy drag setting, just one that will hold you line. You might be thinking that this setup is too small to catch sizable fish, but 20+ inch trout are commonly caught with it.

The next tip explains where to find big trout. This information is critical to catch big trout. First off, big trout are big because they are the most cautious, and the smartest. They hide well and they eat well. This being said, the main element needed for big trout holding water are good cover, available food and a moving current. Good cover obviously will keep the fish protected from predators and a moving current will deliver food right to the fishes front door without having to make it vulnerable.

Good places include in front and behind rocks, under cut banks (my favorite) in riffles and in the deep pools that come after riffles called tailouts. These places will almost always be holding trout if they are present. In meadow creeks or spring creeks the biggest fish will always by in deep under cut banks, usually in tailouts. I take back what I said about moving water being a must. It is always a must except under one condition, one of my absolute favorites. Beaver ponds. If you manage to stumble upon beaver ponds then get ready for the big ones. These always provide excellent cover and food especially in the under cut banks.

Now, the matter of what to use in small stream fishing. You can never go wrong with a woolly bugger. There is great debate as to which style works best but in my experiences, almost an variation of green, brown and black work. Don't be afraid to try other streamer patterns as well. As far as dry flies go, terrestrials always seem to produce. Terrestrials include ants, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, etc. Any insect that has the potential of falling off of stream side vegetation into the water. Spend a little time looking around and see what kind of insects are present near the stream. Attractors which are flies that don't match any specific insect, they are just attractive almost always work. Just bring along a few different flies in a few different sizes and colors (mostly just variations of light and dark) and try them out. Don't get overwhelmed from the vast selection available just take a few that I've mentioned and try them out. If you try a fly and it isn't working, simply try something else until you find out what the trout like in that stream. Usually small stream trout aren't too picky.

The last tip I have for you for now is when to fish in small streams. Usually small stream trout fishing begins to produce near the end of May or depending on where you live, when the rains slow down and the drier days are more prominent. Too much rain will cause the water to raise and become muddy and flooded, creating poor fishing conditions. If it is very hot early on in spring and summer, this will cause a lot of snow melt resulting in the same conditions. Ideal conditions conditions are a moderate volume of water running with just a little bit of color. If it's too low, the big fish will have traveled down stream into bigger waters. If you live close to a small stream, visit it frequently so you can get a good idea of what the stream is like in what kind of weather conditions. If you don't live close and you're worried that your trip will not be productive due to poor water conditions, simply call the nearest forest service or fishing shops to that stream, they should be able to tell you what you need to know.

Fishing in small streams is a great way to escape the stresses of life and spend time with your family in the outdoors, not to mention there is usually little or no competition to worry about. Just you, the fish, and mother nature.

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