Ode to the smallmouth

We pay tribute to that beautiful, resilient fighter: The smallmouth bass.

No one can really put a finger on when America’s bass fishermen fell in love with smallmouth bass.
No one can really put a finger on when America’s bass fishermen fell in love with smallmouth bass.
They aren’t as prevalent as their big-mouthed cousins, but when a smallmouth walks into the room, generally everyone pays attention.
They aren’t as prevalent as their big-mouthed cousins, but when a smallmouth walks into the room, generally everyone pays attention.
You want to turn some heads? Hold up a couple of big, tiger-striped smallmouth and you’ll get folk’s attention fast.
You want to turn some heads? Hold up a couple of big, tiger-striped smallmouth and you’ll get folk’s attention fast.
Over time, smallmouth bass have become the favorite prey of Bassmasters everywhere.
Over time, smallmouth bass have become the favorite prey of Bassmasters everywhere.
Mark Davis said it best:
Mark Davis said it best: “As far as I’m concerned, the greatest fish God ever made is the smallmouth bass.”
To take it one step further, Jacob Powroznik said: “When God made smallmouth, he knew what he was doing.”
To take it one step further, Jacob Powroznik said: “When God made smallmouth, he knew what he was doing.”
God did make them pretty special. Their stripes should be listed as a Wonder of the World.
God did make them pretty special. Their stripes should be listed as a Wonder of the World.
And even though their mouths are small, there’s room for just about anything.
And even though their mouths are small, there’s room for just about anything.
The feelings for smallmouth among the Elite Series anglers is pretty consistent.
The feelings for smallmouth among the Elite Series anglers is pretty consistent.
Some of them even speak in a way everyone can understand.
Some of them even speak in a way everyone can understand. “They’ve got (Mike) Iaconelli’s attitude. They never give up. It is rare to hook one that just lays over and comes in. They fight you and fight you and fight you,” said Steve Kennedy.
The fight is what captures the hearts of these anglers: A fish that never gives up, no matter how futile the battle.
The fight is what captures the hearts of these anglers: A fish that never gives up, no matter how futile the battle.
Even when they are basically in the grasp of an angler…
Even when they are basically in the grasp of an angler…
…there’s no way they are going to give in.
…there’s no way they are going to give in.
‘Caught’ doesn’t mean giving up.
‘Caught’ doesn’t mean giving up.
They will jump.
They will jump.
And splash.
And splash.
And do everything they can to stay in the water.
And do everything they can to stay in the water.
Their wide bodies pull against pliable water like an anvil.
Their wide bodies pull against pliable water like an anvil.
Their wide tails direct their paths.
Their wide tails direct their paths.
And at times provide them with enough push to send them sky high, rocketing into the air.
And at times provide them with enough push to send them sky high, rocketing into the air.
Then it’s back into the water, where the fight is just beginning.
Then it’s back into the water, where the fight is just beginning.
Chris Zaldain explains it just like that:
Chris Zaldain explains it just like that: “They’re rockets. Every single one of them comes about 3 feet out of the water.”
Those kind of battles undo a calm demeanor.
Those kind of battles undo a calm demeanor.
And with calm demeanors undone, it means anything can happen.
And with calm demeanors undone, it means anything can happen.
Every ounce within a smallmouth says it’s there not to lose.
Every ounce within a smallmouth says it’s there not to lose.
The fight in a smallmouth is worthy of praise and honor. And maybe a little bit of fear. When a smallmouth gets on the line, it can really make a difference at a weigh-in.
The fight in a smallmouth is worthy of praise and honor. And maybe a little bit of fear. When a smallmouth gets on the line, it can really make a difference at a weigh-in.
“They’re like free-range roaming caged animals. Think about it,” said Brandon Palaniuk.
You can see it in a smallmouth’s eyes; even they look full of blood and menace.
You can see it in a smallmouth’s eyes; even they look full of blood and menace.
“Think about it,” said Palaniuk. And every Elite angler does.
“Think about it,” said Palaniuk. And every Elite angler does.
When a smallmouth event is put on the schedule, it becomes a destination event for no other reason than smallmouth will be the headliner.
When a smallmouth event is put on the schedule, it becomes a destination event for no other reason than smallmouth will be the headliner.
Smallmouth bass are the only thing an Elite angler doesn’t mind taking a backseat to.
Smallmouth bass are the only thing an Elite angler doesn’t mind taking a backseat to.
Why wouldn’t every angler fall in love with this fish?
Why wouldn’t every angler fall in love with this fish?
Their jumps are acrobatic.
Their jumps are acrobatic.
Their fights are never-ending.
Their fights are never-ending.
The heart races every time one is hooked up.
The heart races every time one is hooked up.
And when a fight is won, the satisfaction of conquering a worthy opponent is felt like no other.
And when a fight is won, the satisfaction of conquering a worthy opponent is felt like no other.
This is the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
This is the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
This is Aaron Martens' event on the stage and the record book.
This is Aaron Martens’ event on the stage and the record book.
But when it comes the underlying feelings of this event,
But when it comes the underlying feelings of this event,
...it’s the smallmouth that are at the center of the excitement.
…it’s the smallmouth that are at the center of the excitement.
And it’s the smallmouth that will ultimately decide...
And it’s the smallmouth that will ultimately decide…
 …who wins...
…who wins…
...and who loses.
…and who loses.
And who <b>really</b> conquers.
And who really conquers.
During this event, anglers have admired these fish…
During this event, anglers have admired these fish…
...either pausing to take a photo...
…either pausing to take a photo…
...or hoisting these bass in triumph.
…or hoisting these bass in triumph.
Or just getting one in the boat.
Or just getting one in the boat.
...or even showing one off on the weigh-in stage!
…or even showing one off on the weigh-in stage!
The love of the smallmouth is a passion for many Elite anglers.
The love of the smallmouth is a passion for many Elite anglers.
Winning a battle over such a small creature...
Winning a battle over such a small creature…
(as tough as it was to win)
(as tough as it was to win)
...is just satisfying.
…is just satisfying.
All of it makes the smallmouth, no matter the size, worth loving by every rod-toting angler in the world.
All of it makes the smallmouth, no matter the size, worth loving by every rod-toting angler in the world.