I’ve noticed since I was a kid the Illinois River has a had a huge surge of Smallmoutth populations taking over and some Monsters coming out of there on the Arkansas side. I’m now down here in Texas and I’ve found the southernmost Smallies in the US and they average 2-4 lbs closest thing I can find to that Ozark SmALLIE action! Good talk guys
I’ve heard the same and it’s actually an interesting topic. I’m assuming it’s those northern strain smallies that got stocked back in 1991 and 1992 in tenkiller that have continued to mix genetics with the smaller native Neoshos. A 2 sided coin really, on one hand the fish are getting bigger which is great for angling and I love catching em, but it would be sad to completely lose the pure Neosho bass to hybridization which is looking almost inevitable at this point.
You should have phil Lilley on ... he has done so much for ozarks fishing with OAF. Ryan is a nice dude. He stops in my store periodically. I told him a fish story last time apparently I was wrong. I stated my dad caught a 26 in smallie but it was 24.5 giant fish nevertheless
Underrated podcast...
This is what we like to hear. Thanks @g4lactic_mu77in
I’ve noticed since I was a kid the Illinois River has a had a huge surge of Smallmoutth populations taking over and some Monsters coming out of there on the Arkansas side. I’m now down here in Texas and I’ve found the southernmost Smallies in the US and they average 2-4 lbs closest thing I can find to that Ozark SmALLIE action! Good talk guys
I’ve heard the same and it’s actually an interesting topic. I’m assuming it’s those northern strain smallies that got stocked back in 1991 and 1992 in tenkiller that have continued to mix genetics with the smaller native Neoshos. A 2 sided coin really, on one hand the fish are getting bigger which is great for angling and I love catching em, but it would be sad to completely lose the pure Neosho bass to hybridization which is looking almost inevitable at this point.
This is the smallmouth episode I’ve been waiting for gents! Nice work
Heck yeah! Glad we could deliver it...Ryan's the man!
Nice. Good to see.. Pay it forward.
Thanks for watching & listening!
Keep it up! Great podcast!
Appreciate it!
You should have phil Lilley on ... he has done so much for ozarks fishing with OAF. Ryan is a nice dude. He stops in my store periodically. I told him a fish story last time apparently I was wrong. I stated my dad caught a 26 in smallie but it was 24.5 giant fish nevertheless