Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Sunfish-Including Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth bass in texas

I think the smallies will take the heat better than HSB who also have relatively small mouths. The mouth on a smallie is not all that much smaller than that of LMB. I would say the mouth gape of SMB is in between that of LMB and HSB. I think the SMB may not withstand water temperatures above 95F-97F. Be aware that when the water temps get above 86F for SMB adequate DO becomes very important for their survival. Minimal DO for the SMB in warm water should probably be 5ppm. IF you can maintain those conditions 24/7 the smallies should survive. Numerous pondmeisters in your south Central region have gotten their SMB from a place in Kansas, maybe Nebraska, although right now I cannot remember their name. Someone else should be able to provide the fish farm name. Let us know if you try the smallies and the temperatures and DO concentrations that they survive in for you. That info will be very helpful to all those interested in SMB.