Caught this smallmouth in a pond !!!! ? ? ?

BassMoJo · 04-02-08, 08:36 PM

Casted under a tree with my spinner were tons of baitfish were sitting and I saw this smallmouth just dart out and nail it...let me remind you this is a pond ! when i saw it hit i was like damn is that a smallmouth ??? sure enough it was i was shocked and still am.

bamabassman · 04-02-08, 08:43 PM

great smallie dude. fantastic. congrats!!

WTL · 04-02-08, 08:45 PM

Well I'll be. Unless things are different up there, somebody had to have put that smallie in there. Nice one too.

BassMoJo · 04-02-08, 08:55 PM

Things are no different up here, this is a first for me after 12 years of hardcore fishing ...so yea I figure he had to be released ?

BERKLEY83 · 04-02-08, 08:58 PM

Great Looking Fish, Congrats.

WTL · 04-02-08, 09:00 PM

Probly so. Of course it happens all the time, people like the variety that smallmouth give so they release a couple here or there. I've thought many times of illegally releasing a few down here into different places, I live about 100 miles south of their range so they probably would survive...just not thrive....

brushhog · 04-02-08, 10:08 PM

That's a nice smallie... I agree has to be a transplant... must've been awesome!!! Catching a surprise fish in a pond is great, you may recall the pike my son caught last year in a pond that we had no idea held pike! anyway, great fish!

carolina-rig-01 · 04-03-08, 01:37 AM

smallmouth in a pond........how sweet is that!

Patrick Krueger, Jr. · 04-03-08, 03:17 PM

A buddy of mine used to load his pond with smallies, then he sold his house and property. it was awesome while it lasted.

Congratulations, though! It is indeed awesome to catch a surprise fish. What's better than a surprise smallmouth?

WTL · 04-03-08, 06:03 PM

The thing about putting smallmouth in such a place is not whether or not they can find food or survive in slightly more dirty, slack water, they can. They arent all too much different from any other bass after all.

The question is, could they out compete other gamefish in the same pond, some of which possibly are better suited to survive in those conditions.

Frequently I see spots battle smallmouth for dominance in streams. Now if spots werent in those streams, smallies would thrive, but in some places where the underwater terrain is right the spots can just outcompete.

What does this mean for our discussion?

If one wanted, upon digging a new pond they could very likely stock it only with smallmouth (and other species to support the smallmouth), and such a pond would likely develope a very fishable population of smallies. The only limit would be if the pond got too hot in summer or lost sufficient oxygen, but even so I hazard a guess that the smallies could handle temperatures almost as warm as largemouth.

BassMoJo · 04-03-08, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brushhog

That's a nice smallie... I agree has to be a transplant... must've been awesome!!! Catching a surprise fish in a pond is great, you may recall the pike my son caught last year in a pond that we had no idea held pike! anyway, great fish!

Yea I do remember that ...if I remember right it was a pretty big one to ?

And WTL, This sparked my interest so I had to do some reading on the topic ...The smallmouth bass is far different from the largemouth mostly because of the obvisious reasons, but I also was reading that smallmouth may only be able to spawn under certain conditions with rocks and such to make there own unique bedding or nest that attracts females.

WTL · 04-03-08, 10:21 PM

You would be suprised what an animal tries to make do when fornification and reproduction is involved. Trust me, I've seen 8 years of it in college.

Why do smallies need the rocks? Perhaps the rocks help give the smallmouth buck an advantage in defending the nest against predators. Perhaps without the rocks, the fry will be hatched, but more disposed to being weak and less liekly to find immediate food. If then, there are other predators around, that could be a death nell.

Still, in the unnatural situation I was imagining, where there are no other large gamefish more suited for the new pond, those fry will survive cause they are the only predators in town. IMO.

This could all be proven or disproven with field tests. Thats what we really need.

Of course, the far more difficult task would be keeping other more native fish from somehow finding their way into that pond.

Patrick Krueger, Jr. · 04-04-08, 04:45 AM

My buddy's pond was really deep, was spring fed, and full of rocks. The forage were crayfish and various minnows that his son trapped, they did very well. Plus we're in Wisconsin, so the summer heat doesn't get too unbearable. The smallies did very well. Bullheads did somehow manage to arrive, but my friend said he caught a 3 1/2 pounder with a bullhead's tail sticking out of it's throat. Other bass, or worse, northern pike would've messed it all up.

I remember reading an article (probably in In-Fisherman) about largemouth and smallmouth fry and how well they survived in grassy areas vs. rocky areas. The largemouth did better in grassy areas, the smallmouth did better in rocky areas. Obviously, a big advantage is their natural camouflage.

WTL did you study fisheries biology for eight years, or was it biology/zoology, what? Regardless, I'm envious.

WTL · 04-04-08, 10:14 AM

No, I studied political science, which means I learned how to BS like I know what I'm talking about in a whole bunch of fields.

Buzz Wing · 04-04-08, 03:15 PM

Was little Johnny headed-to school as this photo was taken? I see somebody has their backpack on!

-Buzz

BigBassin144 · 04-04-08, 05:11 PM

Nice smallie!
congrats on the nice fish

BB

senko · 04-04-08, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz Wing

Was little Johnny headed-to school as this photo was taken? I see somebody has their backpack on!

-Buzz

Ever wonder if maybe that is what he carries his tackle in?

3dkicker · 04-05-08, 05:06 PM

Mo - Any small streams close to the pond? I fished a small farm pond in Great Falls, VA once that held tons of good smallmouths. Had a small stream that ran by it and may have flooded once or twice and the smallies got caught in the pond once the water receded. Owner of the property had no clue how they got in the pond or that they were smallies. Just thought they were brown largemouths.

Nice fish.

Buzz Wing · 04-05-08, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senko

Ever wonder if maybe that is what he carries his tackle in?

After I edited the first time, yes I did realize it; I was to lazy to edit two times...

-Buzz

BassMoJo · 04-06-08, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3dkicker

Mo - Any small streams close to the pond? I fished a small farm pond in Great Falls, VA once that held tons of good smallmouths. Had a small stream that ran by it and may have flooded once or twice and the smallies got caught in the pond once the water receded. Owner of the property had no clue how they got in the pond or that they were smallies. Just thought they were brown largemouths.

Nice fish.

No ....I dont think there is but you make an intersting point !!

brushhog · 04-06-08, 07:01 PM

That's how we figure the pike made it to our ponds, the Mohawk river runs nearby and there is significant flooding every year....

04-02-08, 08:36 PM	#1
BassMoJo BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 801	Caught this smallmouth in a pond !!!! ? ? ? Casted under a tree with my spinner were tons of baitfish were sitting and I saw this smallmouth just dart out and nail it...let me remind you this is a pond ! when i saw it hit i was like damn is that a smallmouth ??? sure enough it was i was shocked and still am.

04-02-08, 08:45 PM	#3
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	Well I'll be. Unless things are different up there, somebody had to have put that smallie in there. Nice one too. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

04-02-08, 09:00 PM	#6
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	Probly so. Of course it happens all the time, people like the variety that smallmouth give so they release a couple here or there. I've thought many times of illegally releasing a few down here into different places, I live about 100 miles south of their range so they probably would survive...just not thrive.... __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

04-02-08, 10:08 PM	#7
brushhog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Whitesboro, NY Posts: 1,222	That's a nice smallie... I agree has to be a transplant... must've been awesome!!! Catching a surprise fish in a pond is great, you may recall the pike my son caught last year in a pond that we had no idea held pike! anyway, great fish! __________________ 3/4 of the Earth's surface is water and 1/4 is land. Clearly god wants me to fish, not mow the lawn.

04-03-08, 01:37 AM	#8
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	smallmouth in a pond........how sweet is that! __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

04-02-08, 08:43 PM	#2
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	great smallie dude. fantastic. congrats!!

04-02-08, 08:55 PM	#4
BassMoJo BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 801	Things are no different up here, this is a first for me after 12 years of hardcore fishing ...so yea I figure he had to be released ?

04-02-08, 08:58 PM	#5
BERKLEY83 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: JAX,FL Posts: 173	Great Looking Fish, Congrats.

04-03-08, 03:17 PM	#9
Patrick Krueger, Jr. BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 567	A buddy of mine used to load his pond with smallies, then he sold his house and property. it was awesome while it lasted. Congratulations, though! It is indeed awesome to catch a surprise fish. What's better than a surprise smallmouth? __________________ The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. - John Buchan

04-03-08, 06:03 PM	#10
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	The thing about putting smallmouth in such a place is not whether or not they can find food or survive in slightly more dirty, slack water, they can. They arent all too much different from any other bass after all. The question is, could they out compete other gamefish in the same pond, some of which possibly are better suited to survive in those conditions. Frequently I see spots battle smallmouth for dominance in streams. Now if spots werent in those streams, smallies would thrive, but in some places where the underwater terrain is right the spots can just outcompete. What does this mean for our discussion? If one wanted, upon digging a new pond they could very likely stock it only with smallmouth (and other species to support the smallmouth), and such a pond would likely develope a very fishable population of smallies. The only limit would be if the pond got too hot in summer or lost sufficient oxygen, but even so I hazard a guess that the smallies could handle temperatures almost as warm as largemouth. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

04-03-08, 10:21 PM	#12
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	You would be suprised what an animal tries to make do when fornification and reproduction is involved. Trust me, I've seen 8 years of it in college. Why do smallies need the rocks? Perhaps the rocks help give the smallmouth buck an advantage in defending the nest against predators. Perhaps without the rocks, the fry will be hatched, but more disposed to being weak and less liekly to find immediate food. If then, there are other predators around, that could be a death nell. Still, in the unnatural situation I was imagining, where there are no other large gamefish more suited for the new pond, those fry will survive cause they are the only predators in town. IMO. This could all be proven or disproven with field tests. Thats what we really need. Of course, the far more difficult task would be keeping other more native fish from somehow finding their way into that pond. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

04-04-08, 04:45 AM	#13
Patrick Krueger, Jr. BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 567	My buddy's pond was really deep, was spring fed, and full of rocks. The forage were crayfish and various minnows that his son trapped, they did very well. Plus we're in Wisconsin, so the summer heat doesn't get too unbearable. The smallies did very well. Bullheads did somehow manage to arrive, but my friend said he caught a 3 1/2 pounder with a bullhead's tail sticking out of it's throat. Other bass, or worse, northern pike would've messed it all up. I remember reading an article (probably in In-Fisherman) about largemouth and smallmouth fry and how well they survived in grassy areas vs. rocky areas. The largemouth did better in grassy areas, the smallmouth did better in rocky areas. Obviously, a big advantage is their natural camouflage. WTL did you study fisheries biology for eight years, or was it biology/zoology, what? Regardless, I'm envious. __________________ The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. - John Buchan

04-04-08, 10:14 AM	#14
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	No, I studied political science, which means I learned how to BS like I know what I'm talking about in a whole bunch of fields. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

04-04-08, 03:15 PM	#15
Buzz Wing BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hudson, MI Posts: 1,219	Was little Johnny headed-to school as this photo was taken? I see somebody has their backpack on! -Buzz

04-04-08, 05:11 PM	#16
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Nice smallie! congrats on the nice fish BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

04-05-08, 05:06 PM	#18
3dkicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Posts: 4,483	Mo - Any small streams close to the pond? I fished a small farm pond in Great Falls, VA once that held tons of good smallmouths. Had a small stream that ran by it and may have flooded once or twice and the smallies got caught in the pond once the water receded. Owner of the property had no clue how they got in the pond or that they were smallies. Just thought they were brown largemouths. Nice fish. __________________ Smitty www.smittystubes.com

04-06-08, 07:01 PM	#21
brushhog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Whitesboro, NY Posts: 1,222	That's how we figure the pike made it to our ponds, the Mohawk river runs nearby and there is significant flooding every year.... __________________ 3/4 of the Earth's surface is water and 1/4 is land. Clearly god wants me to fish, not mow the lawn.

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