Originally posted by howard:
some of you are aware that i have smallmouth in my north texas pond. Today i caught my first one on rod and reel.A beautiful 6-8 inch fish that really looked healthy.Only one problem.He promplty died 
The fight was short, but he was hooked deep enough to bleed just slightly.I remember reading HSB don't tolerate being caught in water over 80 deg. Does the same hold true for SMB? I checked my water temp, and it is in the mid-80's. If so, what should i let my water temp fall to before fishing for them again?
thanks folks, Howard all fish caught in 85 degree water are subject to stress from angling mortaality, some more than others.
I am curently transferring 1#+ HSB from "grow-out" pond and I have not lost a fish, butI am paying close attention to details.
I am fishing at first light, using a lip gripper and never touchlng the fish, and placing them in a oxygenated live well that has been treated wiith a handfull of rock salt.
We had rain the last two evenings and water is cooler at first light. I'll be on the water shortly.
Ewest has a good idea to fish hookless - have fun getting strikes until cooler fall temps.
Sorry about your LMB loss
I'm a "probationary app[icant to Sunil's SMB club
I love to catch them on Lake Texoma
