I think the term bass reflects both species and often includes the KY strain. The bass hype has come with the significant media coverage of tournaments. Tournaments have had the biggest impact on equipment improvement much more than anything else. Plain and simple, the bass hype is enhanced by tournaments.

As my handle indicates, I fish bass. That's my favorite, plain and simple. But, I also fish many others. Muskie, snakes(northerns), panfish and at times even carp. They're all fun.

Smallmouth are much easier to pattern than LM most of the time. IMO smallmouth are more fun most of the time. Muskies....I've caught many, are boring to fish for (for me) but many love it.

"Semper Fi"