I am officially spoiled

[elnutsmalljaws]

I watched 2 different shows this morning that had Shaw Grigsby and Charlie Ingram both fishing exclusively for Smallies at Lake Champlain. It was fun to see a show dedicated to the species I love the most which is Smallmouth Bass. Shaw was fishing pre-spawn on sand flats and catching fish on Spinnerbaits and Shaky Head jig worm. It was fun to watch him land each and every fish and I know it was television but I could really hear the excitement in his voice. Then he lands the GIANT, a 5-14 pound beauty weighed on his digital scale on camera, that he said was his BIGGEST ever. He was like a little kid, as I would be too. I then watch Charlie's show, which is really a big infomercial for SPRO, Lunker Sauce and KVD Reel Magic Stuff, but they are catching Smallies as well shallow on crankbaits. They never landed any good ones until the last fish when Charlie was hooping and hollering about a GIANT and his partner from SPRO was saying how good of a fish it was. Then never weighed it but it looked no bigger than 3 1/2 or so, defineately no where near 4 1/2 or 5. Made me think about all the really good ones that I have been lucky to catch over the last 3 years. 2 over 6, about 15 or so over 5, no telling how many over 3 and 4. Most of these were caught at Dale but a couple of nice ones came from Ky and Cumberland as well. Most in the winter on FNF, but my share of good ones night fishing in the summer as well. The more I learn about Smallmouth fishing the more I realize that I have been really LUCKY in the fish that I have caught. If what I saw on TV was normal, then a 2 - 2 1/2 pound Brownfish is a GOOD fish and anything over is a bonus. Sad to say, but I expect to catch a 4 pound plus Smallie each and every day at Dale Hollow and if I don't then I think the day was a failure. How SPOILED am I???????

[biggw]

VERY---LOL :)

[DJD]

I'm the same way with Largemouth when i fish the Florida lakes(2-3 times a year). If we don't get one over 5lbs i feel we missed the bite. I love the 3-4 lb bass but something about that over 5lb mark i really like.

[thompmd]

I may get bashed on here but IMO the smallmouth fishing in the north
overall is much better than the south. I didn't see the shows you mentioned but when you read some of the tournaments on places like Erie and Simcoe they are incredible. For me the numbers of keeper smallmouths caught on average days is better up north.

I do have to admit that 17 over 5 in 3yrs is pretty good!!

good luck.

[kc]

No bashing here - there's no doubt that smallmouth fishing is better in the north but I would say your chances of catching a really huge smallmouth are better in our neck of the woods. I also agree with being spoiled - over the years I have caught my share of big smallmouth and although the numbers and opportunities are limited here I love chasing the big fish. There is nothing in the world like tangling with a 5+ lb smallie! I wake up dreaming about huge smallies tailwalking in the moonlight.

kc

[BanditMan]

I'm dying for a good smallmouth. I would have to say that all those big brownies are not the norm, you have caught some very nice fish. P.S how's the shoulder doing?

[elnutsmalljaws]

Shoulder is getting better but I still think something is major wrong. If she is not better this week then off to the Doc I go. Still have not gotten all the strength in it plus still hurts a bit in certain places. Too stubborn to go to the Doc for I had my share plus other peoples share to of Hospitals since 1997 and not looking forward to another visit if needed. Thanks for asking.

[Dover]

elnuts -- get that shoulder taken care of at the soonest.......:-)

[Smally7]

Here is my two cents. I grew up in up-state NY fishing Lake George, and Champlain, as well as the Hudson River all for smallies. That was my dads fish of choice as well. The numbers are better in the north without a doubt. There are some 5# plus fish thrown in, but not like we have down here by no means. The average fish on dale would be in the 3.5 to 4.0 range. This is not the case in the north. But, 30 to 40 fish days happen often. That is a lot of fun also.
As far as the tourneys go, yes there are some amazing bags of smallies weighed in on Erie. But, they are also 5 fish limits. Put those same anglers on dale with a 5 fish limit and see what happens.
I think you will be surprised.
Keith

[mhall]

Elwood you are definately a fisherman alright that dang story gets bigger every time you tell it...... Just kiddin bro :+

[jdw174]

> How SPOILED am I???????

Actually you're not spoiled at all. You want to be REALLY spoiled? Spend 20+ years fishing Lake Erie like I did. I've seen springtime tx's there where 25lbs for five fish wouldn't get you in the money!! Now that's spoiled;-)

[thompmd]

I should also say that we go to Canada, Lake of the Woods the 1st week of June so I am partial. I also have personally never boated any smallmouth over 5lbs,close and still working on that.

I say a thread a month or so about a tournament on Simcoe that had 5 smallmouth that weighed 29.9 and there were many many more that weighed over 5lbs and the largest was 7 3/4(if I remember). I did a little more checking and they had another tournament that was a 3-day individual tournament(pro-co angler format) and for 3 days(15 fish) it took 73-74lbs to win, which I think is pretty incredible. I have also read similar threads on Erie(but not quite as good).

I think as far as daily numbers of fish Canada/north are hard to beat.