The Power of the Spotted Bass verses the Largemouth Bass Fly Fishing

Guys, this post is devoted to bass fishing. Today, I want to compare the power of the Spotted Bass and the Largemouth Bass when using a fly rod. Both are formidable opponents, but the Spotted Bass emerges as the champion in fighting power. So, what sets it apart?

If you notice, the spotted bass has a more streamlined and muscular body than the largemouth bass. This body structure allows them to move swiftly and generate more power during a fight. I think the brown trout has the same features as the spotted bass. This is why the brown trout is the winner in fighting power versus the rainbow trout. 

Spotted Bass are stronger swimmers than largemouth, especially against river or large stream currents. Being a stronger swimmer translates into more intense power once you hook this fish. 

Spotted bass are much more aggressive and territorial than largemouth bass. This aggressive behavior often results in more intense and prolonged fights when hooked, as they tend to resist more. When hooked, a twelve-inch Spotted Bass can exhibit more fight and power than a twelve-inch largemouth. Fighting a twelve-inch Spotted Bass using a 4 or 5 wt. fly rod is exciting. Playing the fish is all part of the excitement of landing the fish using a light 5X or 6X tippet. You don't rush landing a twelve-inch Spotted Bass using a light tippet; if you do, the fish has beat you most of the time!

Spotted bass often exhibit greater stamina and endurance than largemouth bass, allowing them to put up a prolonged fight. This makes landing them more challenging.

The videos below show why I am obsessed with fly fishing for Spotted Bass and Largemouth on Smith Lake. I've stated this several times before, but if I had to choose any lake in the South to fly fish for bass, it would be Smtih Lake!

This Spotted Bass was taken three weeks ago at the Smith Dam at daylight fishing an olive number 8 Boggle Bug popper. Daylight is my favorite time to fish Smith for quality Spotted Bass, and this one was of high quality on my 6 wt. Listen for the drag to engage numerous times as I fight this fish. Also, take note of what I said at the end of the video.

I remember Jason landing this Spotted Bass right before the sun came up, using his 4 wt. to fish for bluegill off the rock wall in the background. I missed filming most of the video because I was looking for the video camera in a number of compartments in the boat. This was a quality Spotted bass to land using a 4 wt. He loves to Smtih Lake when he is home from Sacramento.

Another quality Spotted Bass was taken in the nook area off this rock wall. I landed this fish using Barr Nunn size 8 fishing for the big bull bluegills that call this area home. I used my 4. wt. to fight this fish. I'm glad I had my drag set for the numerous runs it made because I was using a 6X tippet to fight this fish. I have landed many bluegills off this wall, but my time fishing this wall is limited because I expect a floating pier to be placed here as soon as the lot is sold; what a shame!

Seeing Spots

As most of you have noticed summer is upon us and is producing some unusual hot temps. Fishing takes a hit this time of year if you're on the water during the hottest time of the day. Daylight or late evenings are the preferred time to wet a hook or fly. During this time of the year, I'm on the water from daylight to 10 AM. The water temps warm to a point where the better fish go deep to find cool temps more to their liking. In order to get a reaction from a Spotted Bass or a quality size bluegill on Smith during the heat days, you need to fish a popper that makes noise. Enter the size 4, 6, and 8 size Boogle Bug popper. 

The Electric Blue Boogle is a go-to popper when fishing at daylight on Smith

This area is one of my favorite walls to fish on Smith. I can still see a Spotted Bass blowing up on my popper here. Getting the popper as close as possible to the rocks is a must. A 9ft. fly rod in a 5 or 6 weight will place the popper within striking distance of the wall. 

As the sun comes up it is important to look for shady banks. The shade will produce a few hits but daylight is the optimum time to land a really quality spot fishing the popper. This male spot was a challenge for my 6 wt.

I film this beauty as he swims off to fight another day!

Guys, it's hard to beat landing these awesome fighters using a 5 or 6 weight fly rod. This female was taken inches off the rock wall in the background. The huge bull gills go deep this time of the year, leaving the hand-size gills to keep things interesting using the 3 wt. but the prizes are the spots.

One Fish Can Make a Trip

My first trip to Smith Lake this morning had a slow start; no bite for an hour. The Boggle Poppers were not working at daylight near the banks; so Ivan and I decided to move into the nooks. I had to use my trolling motor to get us in a position to fish the nooks because the starter on my Mercury motor went out right after we launched the boat, bummer. Once we made it to the first nook the action started with some nice bluegills landed and the prize of the morning for me. I managed to get some footage of Ivan’s fish of the morning so we both left the lake, happy fishermen.

When larger poppers are not producing, go to tiny poppers; you will get a reaction!

You guys have read some of my posts concerning the Red-eyed Bass; well this bass is the best example I’ve ever caught. This bass was a native to the tributaries flowing into the Sipsey before the dam was placed for Smith Lake.

This spot was supposed to be caught using my 6 weight fast action, but no bass would touch the big poppers throughout the morning. So Ivan and I decided to go after the bluegills with our 3 weights using our tiny poppers; little did we know that the bass was turned on to size 12 poppers as well. This is the largest spot I’ve ever landed using my 3 weight fly. I had quite a fight on my hands trying to keep this fish from breaking my 5X tippet. This fish is why I love fly fishing so much because it's you against a fish that is superior to your gear, in this case, my 3 weight. Sometimes the fish wins and rightly so and sometimes the fisherman wins, today I won. Ivan didn't notice the sun rays crossing my face when he took the picture. 

 

Ivan landed this nice spot somewhat quicker than me using his 4 weight. I thought I would get some of the action on video for you guys. Ivan did a great job handling this spot, especially after it made numerous runs to break off. We were both pleased with the trip even if I did have to spend 225.00 bucks on a new starter for my motor.