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!

Landing Post Spawn Largemouth Bass

My son Jason and I arrived at the Smith Lake launch at 5 AM, expecting some early popper action. However, we had to wait until 7 AM for the action. We caught numerous small 6 to 8-inch bass, but the quality bass was not in the area we were fishing, or they weren't biting. The prized catch of the morning was a largemouth bass taken on a size eight chartreuse popper. I was fishing it slowly and, at times, motionless. The hit was so light that I initially thought it was a bluegill. However, the head shake quickly revealed its size. Despite losing some weight post-spawn, the largemouth bass still gave my five wt. Rod, a good bend!

This morning, the largemouth bass were more active than the spotted bass. We only landed one 8" spotted bass. Jason landed this 15" largemouth using a size 8 Betts popper, letting it sit motionless until the water rings moved a distance from the popper. I always look forward to our trips to the lake when Jason comes home from Sacramento. 

Spawning Cycles of the Bluegill

 

As I was fishing one of the bluegill spawning beds the other day on Walker County Lake, I wondered if these beds would be used during the next spawning phase of the full moon in June. After doing a little research, I discovered that the bluegill will sometimes use the same beds from one full moon to the next during the spring and summer. I know this is true in some Smith Lake and Walker County Lake areas. I have fished Smith Lake and Walker Lake for years now and found that the fish are often not in the same area bedding each year. Several factors affect their location from year to year, such as changes in water level, vegetation growth, temperature range, and fishing pressure, which can influence their choice of spawning sites. 

As for the depth, I have found bluegill spawning in water as shallow as a couple of feet or less. If they are pressured from spawning cycling to spawning cycle, then they will move to deeper water to avoid spawning beds from being seen. This is especially true in small lakes where there is heavy fishing pressure. The 15-acre lake my son lives on is a prime example of what I am talking about. The bluegill in this lake always spawns in shallow water and always in the same area of the lake each year. They choose the same bedding areas in this lake each year because of less fishing pressure on the lake. The lake is there mostly for the beautiful scenery around the lake, and the walking trails next to the water's edge. In other words no one is interfering with the spawning process of the bluegill here but me and my son. 

The bluegill was probably the first fish a small child landed while using live bait, such as a cricket or redworm. That is how I got interested in fishing years ago as a youngster fishing our small farm pond. The fish was easy to catch, even with cane poles and live bait. Once my dad taught me how to land the fish using a fly rod, there was no turning back, I was hooked for life, and will be until the day I retire from fly fishing, and I hope that is years from now. For me, landing a large bull bluegill or an average-sized bluegill on a lightweight fly rod is the ultimate in warm-water fly fishing!

Some Attention for the Bluegill

 My Bluegill quest officially kicked off two weeks ago on Walker County Lake. I was trying to fish the lake before it was fertilized, and I made the deadline by one day. I know that fertilization has its function of making a lake more suitable for landing quality fish. Still, once the water is fertilized, it takes weeks to regain its productive fishing. So, I will not make any more trips to the lake for at least a month. During June is when the second spawn takes place. I will be watching and waiting. 

I landed a dozen quality-size bulls like these that were placed in the cooler to dress later that afternoon. I enjoy everything about fishing, but I do not like dressing the catch! I was using my Boogle Bug poppers to get their attention. I have just about used all these poppers I ordered last year. I will use a different popper once these are gone for this year. The hackle on the Boggle Bug doesn't stay together like it used to. Most of the time, the popper is only suitable for a few fish before the hackle unravels. I expect more from an eight-dollar popper. Today's fish were taken using my 2/3 weight, 7 1/2 ft Redington fly rods. They are the perfect fly rods for a small lake; you should try them!

Catfish on the Flyrod

 

This past Friday was another epic day fishing for bluegill using my 7 1/2 ft. 3 wt. Flyrod fishing Walker County Lake. While fishing for the big bull bluegills, I landed the largest catfish ever on the flyrod. The fish hit a size 8 orange popper fishing near weed pads on the lake's levee. I knew it was big as soon as the fish made its first run. Little did I know it was a little over 8 lbs 26 inches. This catfish didn't top my carp last year, but it came close. Who knows, I may land one of their elusive Walleye next year. I never fish this lake with anything above a 2 and 3 wt. Flyrod. Let's say I like the challenge. 

Looking closely, you can see the popper hooked into the catfish's whisker. It's a miracle I landed it, considering the 15-minute fight he put up. I gave the catfish to the gentleman in the background fishing near the lake's edge. He was as excited as I was landing the fish. 

Getting Primed For The Bluegill Spawn

 When it comes to fishing, the thrill of landing quality bluegill on a lightweight fly rod is unmatched. The fly rod I'm talking about is either the 2 wt. or 3 wt. If you're looking for the ultimate enjoyment of landing bluegill, these are the rods to use. I personally find the 7 1/2 ft. length perfect for small bodies of water, and an 8 1/2 ft. to 9 ft. length ideal for lakes. When I'm fishing at my home waters of Smith Lake, I rely on my 9 ft. 3 wt. for the best experience. 

During the Easter weekend, I used Jason's lightweight 7 1/2 ft. Redington 2 wt. fly rod. The small 15-area lake, nestled at his house in Greystone Farms Hoover, offers a tranquil fishing experience. You can reach the water's edge in less than a minute from his back porch, making it a convenient spot for anyone who enjoys fishing, whether with traditional gear or a fly rod. 

The lake has four walk-way bridges across four of its nooks, and the bluegill spawns on the upper or lower side of the bridges during the prime spawn season. I've only seen a few individuals fly fish in the lake, so the fishing pressure is very limited. Cathey and I like to walk the mile-long walking trail when we are here. The Game and Fish Department manages the lake, which does a great job of checking water quality and fertilizing.  

My fly fishing season will begin on Smith Lake in a couple of weeks, so today's trip was a warm-up to start landing the super-sized bulls on the rock walls on Smith: I can't wait!!!