Hello Ultimatebass.com. My name is Ralph Russell (Pabasscat). I reside in south central Pennsylvania in a small town called Dillsburg. This is just a stone’s throw from two of the finest smallmouth bass rivers in the U.S. in the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers. I grew up fishing with my great grandfather, grandfather, and father on these and other local bodies of water. My earliest memories were with my great grandfather fishing a local stream and having him put the fish in the trunk of the car to bring home to eat. I now share these experiences with my two daughters, Leanna and Courtney (but we practice catch and release). Even my wife Becky is starting to enjoy the sport of bass fishing. Nothing makes me happier than the look on my daughters faces when they catch “a big one”. I took pictures of them after catching their first fish, and they are priceless. I work full time as a service advisor for Bob Ruth Ford in Dillsburg. This can be a very stressful job, so I look forward to every chance I get on the water.
Home State: Pennsylvania
Home Lake: Susquehanna River
Days on the Water: 70 to 100
Years Fishing Experiences: Started fishing at age 7
I have fished for and caught many different species since I started fishing around age 7. I have caught largemouth, smallmouth, trout, fallfish, suckers, carp, catfish, walleye, muskie, pickerel, panfish, and even bowfin. But bass are my main focus. While some people play chess, do the New York Times crossword puzzle, or other mentally stimulating things, I fish to keep my mind sharp. I have a saying- “Water is water, bass are bass, and all you have to do is figure them out”. And isn’t this why we keep fishing, to figure them out??? My largest bass are 7.2lb largemouth and 5.5lb smallmouth, both caught in Pa. Although they are not world records, they are quality for Pennsylvania.
Associations
B.A.S.S.
Virginia BASS Federation
Sons of the American Legion
Hampton Roads Anglers Anonymous
Ultimate Bass Staff Position Held: Forum Staff
Ralph Russell
“Pabasscat”
