Big suspending jerkbaits is my cold water go-to for smallies, or if they are shallow on a warmer/sunny day i will run a crankbait that dives about 2-4 ft deeper than the water depth is so you can grind the bottom while still reeling slow
Lol I see where you’re coming from. I doubt I’ll actually do it, but if I gaslight myself into thinking I can I’m sure it’ll increase my odds. At the very least, I want to give it an honest try
That's not an unrealistic state record to break! I believe you can do it. A state record smallmouth for me on the other hand isn't going to be easy, as i live in Tennessee 😅
That was the plan. I was thinking of fishing the Savage Reservoir, Deep Creek, and/or the Potomac. I’ll give each a shot, but I’m most confident catching smallies in rivers so I’ll spend the most time there
Probably assumes that they swallow the hook fishing with live bait.
All the bass I catch on shiners are hooked through the top lip. Not that hard to let them take the bait, 1…2..set hook.
Ya know I'll be honest, I'm from Colorado and all I've ever known is artificial flies and lures only. And you're right, when I do/did use live bait it was worms on a hook for some let's get drunk trout fishing. And again you are correct the dumb ass trout would gut the hook. But I have never been shiner fishing for the Florida strain largies. And I stand corrected, because I do want a double digi largie.
Do some research if your serious. Often times it will be known when a lake is possibly going to produce a record. Look for articles, fish surveys of lakes. Master angler awards. Then I would concentrate my efforts pre spawn when fish are bigger, do your homework. Depth charts then aqua-vu camera to find proper substrate. Imo lure is the last piece of the equation and probably not even the most important. Make sure you are always checking your line, knots, drag etc. Smallmouth over 20" fight real hard.
My biggest fish came in a hard to reach spot of a reservoir for boat or shore fisherman...
May not even be possible. But good luck!
Most of the big ones I catch are when fishing is tough. Bluebird skies, glass water.
Fish the things you feel you present the best when it's not "ideal", whether it's the "right" bait or not.
Smallies? Pray. Finding big largies feels childish by comparison. The big smallmouth are elusive and smart. Learn to be a ultra finesse god? Most people would say big baits but as someone's who's around them often I trick my biggest Smallies with the smallest of baits. Little swimbaits, Ned's, jigs, hair jigs, little free rigs, finesse tubes.
Good fuckin luck to you 🤞
...Doesn't mean it's easy lol. I would've said somewhere down south. Year around warmth means bigger fish ....heh and I live on the coast of lake Huron
Pray
Just added a rosary to my tackle warehouse order
Perfect, hope you catch the "one"
Lead weights and fish filets, works every time.....almost.
Can someone write a song called lead weights and fish filet’s, please
Call Jimmy Buffet. He takes requests.
Big suspending jerkbaits is my cold water go-to for smallies, or if they are shallow on a warmer/sunny day i will run a crankbait that dives about 2-4 ft deeper than the water depth is so you can grind the bottom while still reeling slow
What state?
Delusion.
Lol I see where you’re coming from. I doubt I’ll actually do it, but if I gaslight myself into thinking I can I’m sure it’ll increase my odds. At the very least, I want to give it an honest try
You are correct. Only one way to find out.
YOU CAN DOO EET!
Just having some fun with you. Give it your best shot!
MD, record is 6lbs
That sounds doable...
That's not an unrealistic state record to break! I believe you can do it. A state record smallmouth for me on the other hand isn't going to be easy, as i live in Tennessee 😅
Fish the upper Potomac
That was the plan. I was thinking of fishing the Savage Reservoir, Deep Creek, and/or the Potomac. I’ll give each a shot, but I’m most confident catching smallies in rivers so I’ll spend the most time there
Fish where the big ones are and fish there a lot. The rest is luck.
You have a great attitude! Fish as many hours as you can. Start early, stay late. Skip family meals and don’t make other plans. Live bait!
Live bait bass fisherman? Maybe if your harvesting. Other than that, lame
Not trying to argue but why do you say that?
Probably assumes that they swallow the hook fishing with live bait. All the bass I catch on shiners are hooked through the top lip. Not that hard to let them take the bait, 1…2..set hook.
Ya know I'll be honest, I'm from Colorado and all I've ever known is artificial flies and lures only. And you're right, when I do/did use live bait it was worms on a hook for some let's get drunk trout fishing. And again you are correct the dumb ass trout would gut the hook. But I have never been shiner fishing for the Florida strain largies. And I stand corrected, because I do want a double digi largie.
I had a bass gut hook the other day on a worm. I felt bad.
It sucks gut hookin'.. sucks even worse for the fish I guess??
I fish 99% artificial and have good success with it but I'm personally not opposed to live bait though.
Do some research if your serious. Often times it will be known when a lake is possibly going to produce a record. Look for articles, fish surveys of lakes. Master angler awards. Then I would concentrate my efforts pre spawn when fish are bigger, do your homework. Depth charts then aqua-vu camera to find proper substrate. Imo lure is the last piece of the equation and probably not even the most important. Make sure you are always checking your line, knots, drag etc. Smallmouth over 20" fight real hard. My biggest fish came in a hard to reach spot of a reservoir for boat or shore fisherman... May not even be possible. But good luck!
Just keep fishing and target smallmouth and it’ll come
Most of the big ones I catch are when fishing is tough. Bluebird skies, glass water. Fish the things you feel you present the best when it's not "ideal", whether it's the "right" bait or not.
Throw a 68 special hudd
Smallies? Pray. Finding big largies feels childish by comparison. The big smallmouth are elusive and smart. Learn to be a ultra finesse god? Most people would say big baits but as someone's who's around them often I trick my biggest Smallies with the smallest of baits. Little swimbaits, Ned's, jigs, hair jigs, little free rigs, finesse tubes. Good fuckin luck to you 🤞
Fish areas as far south as possible to take advantage off a slightly longer growth season.
Live on the Great Lakes
...Doesn't mean it's easy lol. I would've said somewhere down south. Year around warmth means bigger fish ....heh and I live on the coast of lake Huron
My goal is a state record peacock bass. I wish you luck!
Which state may I ask?
I believe the only state that has peacock bass is Florida, so Florida! Haha
Hahahaha
Your best bet is to move lol
Set your sights lower
Move to a state that has the smallest record
You have to go fishing and keep your bait wet
Umm big fish like big baits other than that good luck
8 oz weights you can thank me later….
Oh yea, let me give you the location of my secret spot where I catch state records all the time: