Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass are two completely different species. An angler must have a completely different approach when fishing for each of them. A Largemouth Bass behaves similar to a Northern Pike while a Smallmouth Bass has much more in common with a Walleye in terms of behavior and preferred habitat.
For starters I will discuss the physical differences between the two species. Largemouth Bass are about twice as large as Smallmouth Bass. A five pound Smallmouth is considered a true trophy fish. A Largemouth bass needs to be twice that size to be considered for trophy status. Largemouth Bass are typically green in color, Smallmouth Bass are brown. The other obvious difference is the size of their mouths. The mouth on a Largemouth Bass extends beyond the eye socket when closed. This is not the case for a Smallmouth Bass.
The next different I will discuss is the preferred habitats of each species. In lakes you will find Largemouth Bass in much shallower water than Smallmouth Bass. A Largemouth Bass is very comfortable in water as shallow as three feet. Smallmouth Bass on the other hand prefer the colder water, often twelve to fifteen feet is their preferred handout zone. Largemouth Bass tend to congregate near weedy areas. They also drawn to wood like a magnet. It does not matter if it is standing or fallen timber, Largemouth Bass love wood. Smallmouth Bass on the other hand prefer gravel bottoms and are attracted to rocks in much the same way their larger cousins love trees.
You need therefore to select artificial lures that fit the surroundings. Spinnerbaits and other topwater style baits work much better for Largemouth Bass because they navigate weeds and tree lines successfully. These lures however are of little use to an angler fishing water fifteen feet deep for Smallmouth Bass holding near rocks. In these circumstances you need to have crankbaits and jig and pig combos in your arsenal to fish successfully.
In rivers you will notice another bunch of differences between these two fish. Largemouth Bass dislike fast water current. You will find this species in backwaters, creeks and other areas of the river without a fast current. They love to congregate above a dam where the water is less turbulent. As you may have guessed Smallmouth Bass behave quite differently. They enjoy a very fast current. You will find them often below a dam. They feed right in the middle of the white turbulent water created by the dam.
Sure, you can catch bass using the traditional methods like bait casting top water lures, flinging out spinner baits, stick baits, plastic baits, jigs?you can Texas rig, Carolina rig your baits and jerk and twitch them over the sunken logs, through the weeds and along the docksides?and you will catch bass; most of the time, small bass.
But, with each cast of your chosen bait, you are full of intense anticipation, just waiting for the water to explode with each turn of your reel handle where you catch a glimpse of that 8 pounder exploding through the water's surface then zipping away as your reel sings and your rod bends double! But that doesn't happen very often?the good news is, it can happen a lot!
How? By adding fly fishing to your bass fishing arsenal. Consider these facts:
Bass are the wolves of fresh water. They will eat almost anything that flashes or moves in the water. Zippo cigarette lighters have been found in the bellies of bass.
Monster bass grow lazy but remain very alert and intelligent. Trophy sized bass like to lie suspended just below the water surface where they can easily pluck off any food that hit's the water's surface.
Big bass know it takes less energy feeding from the water surface than chasing small minnows and crawfish all over the place, through the water: Smart Bass, those who know how to conserve energy, grow to be monster bass?fly fishing gives you a much more calculated chance for landing huge bass time and time again.
Using fly fishing techniques will:
Put your bait in the areas where the monster bass are located.
Allow you much more flexability with your equipment.
Give you much more bang for your bass fishing buck because catching a monster bass on a fly rig is a lifetime memory; it is much more exciting than traditional crank methods.
Ron Peterson, pro bass fisherman has it all in his book, entitled: ?Bass Fishing Fly,? where he offers a simple blueprint for catching monster bass time and time again. He leaves no stone unturned. Plus, he includes:
The basics of bass fishing.
How to shape YOUR OWN PERSONAL APPROACH to catching Bass, AND THEN catch more, bigger bass, more often, consistently and regardless of conditions.
Here is a partial listing of the table of contents in this amazing and revealing book that teaches anyone how to catch more than one monster bass:
1. Foreword
?What are we fishing for again? The Target: ?Bass? defined
2. Introduction
?Knowing and Going where the fish are ? Locating, Luring and Acquiring the target
3. The basics of Bass Fishing ? An overview
?Tools of the trade: Tackle, Boats, Accessories, Lures and Baits (all about plastics, spinners, crank and others- top-water and specialty lures)
?Water, Weather, Timing and Other Environmental Aspect, Facets and Considerations for Bass Fishing
?Techniques for Bass Fishing like a Pro (worms, skipping, Ripping, Drift trolling, Fly-rodding)
4. Mistakes and Secrets to Bass Fishing
5. Styles and Specialty Bass Fishing Techniques
6. Final Thoughts: Summary and Conclusions
7. References And Other Handy Books On Bass Fishing