Pound for Pound

[tricky1ok]

A buddy of mine asked me if I want to go over and fish Balsam Lake yesterday and of course I couldn't say no. I've never fished it before and he has many times but not for a few years, but he remembered this one weed bed that he used to fish. We headed over to it and right of the bat I hooked into a decent Pike. Then Smallmouth after Smallmouth. I caught about a dozen Smallies. So far the day was going great. Then I hooked into a monster that bent my heavy action rod right over, I said to my buddy that I've got a monster fish on and this fish didn't surface at all so I didn't know what it was but figured it was either a huge Pike or Musky. Man I've never had something pull my rod over like it did since I went Salmon fishing. The fish then stopped in one spot and just wouldn't move so I tightened my drag a little at time and all the while I was putting tons of pressure on this thing with my rod doubled over...finally after ten minutes of fighting this fish it came free and as he went to net it he and I were shocked to see the largest Smallmouth I've ever seen, unfortunately once in the net the hooks came out and he flopped back into the water sad.gif

Unbelievable !!!!! What a great day on the water and the Smallmouth bass rules !!!!

[admin]

Great report.. Had me sweating too..

Some smallmouths are very healthy, I call them footballs, pure muscle with hefty shoulders.. They will pull and dog you until your arm is sore.. Love it when I get into a few like that.. Funny thing is they aren't usually the tanks, more often 1.5- 2 lb fish..

[tricky1ok]

Oh this fish defiantly had shoulders. I used to catch big Smallies up on Clear Lake using 6 inch crayfish back in a day and 4 and 5 pounders at that out of deep water but nothing pulling like this fish did....it was awesome

[npetersen]

Great report. Yes, smallies are quite the fighters. They fight even harder if you get them in a river with current. I find sunfish/bluegills are quite the fighters as well on UL tackle.

[Brooktrout]

Great Report! There are some huge smallies out on Balsam for sure.

[Longshank]

For surre.

Smallies are often touted as the hardest fighter pound for pound.