FS Digest

Let me start by saying I love largemouth bass fishing. However, I’ve began to think it’s a little overrated.

I understand that bass are widespread, aggressive feeders, and some of the hardest fighting pound for pound freshwater wish.

Saying that I enjoy several types of fishing equally or more so. Catfishing with a rod and reel or by alternative methods provide quite an adrenaline rush because you never know how big they can get.

I also enjoy small stream fishing for panfish. I live in central Missouri so maybe this is because I have access to streams loaded with a huge variety of sunfish including green sunfish, white bass, some smallies, longears, bluegills, etc.

I’ve had experience trout fishing which is an awesome experience because of the finesse involved and the heavy reliance on sight fishing.

Even fishing for “trash fish” like carp and has been a blast for me when I’ve tried them.

In conclusion, I’m not saying largemouth fishing isn’t great but I think it gets far more attention than it should. Again I’m not sure if it’s how widespread bass are or if it’s something with how bass fishing has been marketed with things like Bass Pro, Bassmster Classics, and everything else. Bass are great but do they deserve such a large portion of the attention that they receive?

Am I totally out of line or can some others agree that bass fishing might be a little overrated? I know in some European countries carp is the go to sport fish so I’m really just talking about in the United States.

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by mttbr9

FS Digest

I love me some pike fishing.

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by swim846

FS Digest

I was brought up fishing for pike and Muskie in Michigan, now out in Pennsylvania and chain pickerel are a great time and I feel like they are way more aggressive than pike. I mean I’d still rather have a monster pike over a 24” pickerel, but damned if I cant catch about 20 times more pickerel.

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by nopuppetyoupuppet

FS Digest

Bass are nowhere near the hardest fighting freshwater fish. My bass friend has never had a carp on the line and cant seem to part with bass. Carp and catfish, and sturgeon are the thrill of freshwater.

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by bigchungusmode99

FS Digest

Catfish hardly fight and he said pound for pound.

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by eman243

FS Digest

Yea, think we can all agree that pound for pound bass are a load but I agree that carp can definitely pull some line.

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by mttbr9

FS Digest

Think of it this way, 10 lb bass, 10 lb carp, 10 lb flathead, the bass will not be able to compete.

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by bigchungusmode99

FS Digest

I’ve yet to catch a 10 lb bass but have caught fish right at 10 or both other species. My PB largemouth is just shy of 8 lbs and it fought like an absolute truck.

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by mttbr9

FS Digest

I agree completely. Love the pan fishing and creek fishing. Carp fight very hard as well.

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by doinkydoodler

FS Digest

Also a central Missourian (como), and I love bass fishing sure it is expensive, but there is only one thing that I enjoy more which is bluegill on a fly rod.

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by eman243

FS Digest

I was recently fishing in your area. Binder lake in Jeff City. A friend of mine who works at Bass Pro told me about it. Not trying to get back to bass but that’s a good lake for them!

I haven’t got into fly fishing yet but I could see catching bluegill being a lot of fun with them. Fast paced fishing is tough to beat.

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by mttbr9

FS Digest

I enjoy catching anything that's biting be it stocker trout, largies or "trash" carp all are fun to handle in thier own way. I think I enjoy chasing the largies the most. But give me rod reel and a spot to fish and I'll be happy lol

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by talon04

FS Digest

I think bass are popular because they are so aggressive and easy to catch. They are the most populous species in the US that will hit lures, so fishing for them is exciting not based on their size/fight, but how many different ways you can catch them and how frequently you can catch them. I have little to no interest in species that will only/mostly hit bait as I feel unengaged in the process, I would rather work a popper for a hour to catch a 1lb bass then spend the same time span watching a rod tip to catch a 10lb catfish. Same deal with trolling, I live right by the Chesapeake Bay but only go after stripers a few times a year as I cannot stand all the trolling it takes. It's the consent interaction and quicker results that give bass fishing a lot of it's appeal I think.

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by 5uper5kunk

FS Digest

Very solid points and I agree that the widespread appeal and aggressive nature of the fish has a lot to do with it.

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by 5uper5kunk

edkealer

It has been my experience that LMB are the easiest to fool with artificial baits of all kinds. I also agree that LMB, pound for pound (up to about 5 pounds) are the best fighters when hooked. Above 5 pounds I would have to say that Brown Trout are much better fighters than LMB.