On another message board, the discussion about fishing and difficulty came up. One of the membes made a statement that he (or she) does not consider bass because they are far too easy to catch.
The implication was trout are the only worthy prey and bass are not enough of a challenge.
My question to him was could he please share the location of those easy bass.
So, what’s the thought here, bass too easy to consider?
Not trolling, just wanted to hear the discussion in these parts on the warm water forum.
Sounds like someone just “running at the mouth.” I have had outrageously easy and outrageously difficult days with both species, so I would have to disagree with that statement. All species are worthy of respect and a certain degree of stealth. If you want difficult prey, go fishing for freshwater bonefish (carp). I’m still waiting for that first one on a fly.
I guess trout over 18" would compare to 10" bluegill or a 5# Large Mouth Bass in my book. I don’t think there is any special trick to catching any common species of fish as long as you have the essentials. 1. Right Oppertunity 2. Right equipment 3. Right amount of luck.
The closest decent trout stream is a four hour trip to me and I can be at good bluegill and bass water in about 30 minutes. With the price of gas and hotel rooms warm water fishing is more attractive. But like most people I guess my trout run about 12" to 15" the bluegills run about 4" to 7" and the large mouth bass run up to a couple pounds.
I guess what we really need to know is how big and what quantities this person catches to make large mouth bass so easy. My guess is that a 2wt rod isn’t being used eaither.
This may come from some of the literature that tells anglers to cast to a spot where they caught a large bass the next time they are in the area. The next largest bass will have moved in. That might make them a little eaier to catch.
My guess is the guy was a trout purist or had never really fished for bass.
Personally, if it swims, I’ll fish for it. I’m not terribly picky. I love fishing for trout, especially in the freestone streams of the Smokey Mountains. There is a tailwater about an hour drive from me with some decent browns (20" range) and they’re a lot of fun to catch.
But I’ve seen a lot of days when bass can be just as picky as any trout. In fact, I’ve had days when bluegill are quite picky.
Like someone already said, any fish can be easy to catch under the right conditions.
Fight for fight, a 10" bluegill on a 3 wt is about as much fun as a guy should be allowd to have and a 5# bass on a 5wt is a hoot.
Personally, I would put down anyone fishing for any fish. To each his own. I’ve taken out many trout purists who have all sorts of trouble. I’ve gone trout fishing and felt totally inadequate. I don’t make fun of them. I hope they give me a break.
Warmwater species don’t exactly jump in the boat and can present problems.
We were trying to crappie fish with the 4 wts when we put over a doz smaller bass in the boat. Fish up to 16". They weren’t monsters, but very entertaining indeed.
It depends on the season. These prespawn fish, we very active in the shallow, but warmer channels on the lake. Other times of the year, it can be difficult. I tend to like to “pick corn when the corn is ready”. In other words when the gills are biting I fish for gills. When the bass are biting I fish for bass, when the steelhead are running I try to fish for them. I fish for trout when I am in trout country though. With so many species to choose from, pick the corn when the corn is ready. I am just about to pick carp. My absolute favorite species on a fly rod. I still remember Gary Borger’s talk this past winter in which he said, The wiley brown trout has an IQ of 6 but the carp has an IQ of 12. Those that look down their nose at carp, just don’t know them.
Anytime on the water or in the field is a good day.
My best guess is that this guy has been fishing some under-fished farm pond where he can reach all the fish in terms of both location and depth. I would like to see him spend some time on one of the big water lakes with miles of heavily fished shoreline and depths of sixty feet or more. I believe that he would eat his words rather than bass fillets. Big water bass are not easy on a fly rod. 8T
I agree that it probably has more to do with location than anything else. My favorite stream back home was over populated with fiesty browns and the occasional rainbow. I could catch em pretty much any day of the year whenever I wanted. Since moving here to the island nation of Ohio, I’ve had a hell of time trying to master the waters I fish. I’d say that bass are 10 times harder to catch than trout, but that is only because of the waters I’ve fished. I do know one golf course pond where you can catch LMB with a hook that is thread wrapped and that’s it. However, I know that doesn’t represent the species as whole.
Yeah…Joey just keeps the numbers going lower…1st it was the 2wt, now a 1wt…when’s the -0-wt comin’ Joe?? You need to get that 1wt down here to Canton on MY ponds!
Mike
Caught 4 bass on the fly today. I’ve got news for the guy, I find trout easier to catch and big bluegill the most fun…kinda like this guy: About a 10-inch bluegill(bream…whatever)
Tying God:
Please do me a favor and return to this “other discussion group” and if the poster is still actively talking about “bass being too easy to catch, to bother with”, make he/she the following offer…
“Since Bass are so EASY to catch”… for every dated picture they post, of them holding a freshly caught LM Bass in excess of 12 pounds, you will send them a money order for $10.00.
Digital cameras “date stamp” each photo. Give him/her, from May 23rd, to say May 31st., as a time frame to submit pictures. Pictures must include a full face shot of the angler, the dated photograph and a full shot of each fish, along with the fly gear and fly used to catch each fish.
The proof photo has to have the angler holding the fish along side a legitimate measuring device as well.
Two years ago, on yet another posting board, there was an “expert” Steelhead fisherman that claimed; "He had a running, personal, record of NEVER going Steelhead fishing without hooking and landing at LEAST ONE STEELHEAD weighing no less than 15 pounds. That was EVERY trip, out, he claimed this feat, not a full season. In other words, “If he went steelie fishing 5 days in a row, he’d catch at least ONE 15+ pound metalhead on EACH of those 5 days”.
He ended that posting, with saying… "So, now, I’m looking for a fresh water fish more “challenging” and asked the group for any suggestions.
Another of the posters, made this “expert” the same offer as I’ve written above, except it was for Steelhead, not for Bass.
This “expert” after the offer was made on that forum, never posted on that site, again.
It sounds to me, like the poster is the same “Locker room lover”, that we’ve all known before… “They TALK a great game to the BOYS, but in reality, they haven’t had a date in 2 years”.
Bass easy? Easier than carp. I find bass to be easy most days, they’re pigs, they have big mouths, and well, thier pigs. But, I’ve my good days with bass, and bad days. I’ve had days where the lure barely had time to hit the water before they were hitting it. And days where I could see the fish and no matter what bait/lure/fly thrown at them, in any retrieve, would not take it.
Depends what water is being fished. Tons of bass, or very few? Etc etc etc.
In my experience it all depends. Sometimes nothing is easy. Sometimes it’s all easy. We have no trout waters in Northeast Ohio. The steelhead do come in during fall and winter…mostly fish the rivers when they and the masses leave.
What I want to know is when will they start going below a 0wt. Going negative? fishing a -5wt.?
“Species Purism” seems like an awfully boring way to approach fishing. I love catching fish, and variety is the spice of fishing! The more species the better, I say!
I concur.
In the past year I have caught:
-rainbow trout
-brown trout
-brook trout
-tiger trout
-steelhead
-LM bass
-SM bass
-Rock bass
-Blue gill
-Carp
-Drum
next on the list:
-Suckers
-more SM bass, more SM bass, more SM bass
People with fixed ideas can sometimes be harder to get along with since they use their fixed ideas to deal with situations. Instead of inspecting what is in front of them they let the fixed idea deal with it.
A simple and sincere “thank you for your opinion” and be on your way is my usual solution. Of course I can’t let a fixed idea develop to deal with such people!!
This morning I cought a 4 pound, 3 onuce smallie on a 4wt. I’m sure it will be one of this seasons highlights for me. She fought like a seamonster.
So although I love fishing trout, I would never pass up a chance to catch smallies. Or any other for that matter… I love the chance to catch any fish on the fly.
