True...Bass don't get as big as lakers or northerns, but pound for pound I'd put a smallmouth up against either one and day... Tie a 3 lb laker or a 3 pound pike tail to tail with a 3 lb. smallmouth, and the smallmouth will pull the trout or the pike around backward until it's scales fall off, and then jump 3 times just for kicks...

A lot of the appeal comes with catching fish on tackle that allows them to perform... A 2 -4 lb, smallmouth on UL gear and light line is a handfull.. Comparative to catching a 10 or 12 pound pike or laker on heavier gear and 10 pound test....Same comparison can be made with many other fish...A 12-14 " stream trout isn't that impressive on medium spinning gear, but catch it on a fly rod with 1 or 2 pound test leader tippet and a tiny hook andyou have a different game altogether...