I was exploring a new stream following a solid tip that the northern hogsucker inhibit this flow. Feverishly fish all potential holding area, I came upon this deep pool shadowed by an overhanging tree. Over years and years, the current advanced against the shore and eventually gnarled tree roots were exposed. A calmness descended into the pool as the water dumped into the deep, dark corners of the tangled roots. I was sure that if there was a hogsucker in this stream, it would seek refuge here.
As my dropshot rig washed against the holding areas, a rapid succession of taps reverberated in the rod. I set the hook to find yet another oh-so-common common shiner paraded around the small pool. Out of the depths, out of the corner of my eye, a massive flash materialized underneath the shiner. I felt a massive jerk on my rod and saw my shiner disappeared.
I was left speechless, fearful, uncertain and small...very small...compared to this monster in the deep.
I still believed that a hogsucker hid in this pool, so I put another chunk of nightcrawler onto my hook and started another drift. Same as pervious, the rod transmitted the little tap-tap but this time it was a river chub. As the chub struggled admirably to escape, the monster struck again. The only difference was that this time I managed to rescue the chub, albeit an injured one.
Curiosity overcame my compassion for the chub as I tossed the chub right back into the pool to lure out the monster. The chub was so severely injured that t could barely swim. This monster appeared more than a savage beast. Its refusal to strike suggested that it was an intelligent beast. It could sensed that this was a staged trap.
As I continued to fish this pool, a few more minnows fell victim to the monster. Eventually, I may have caught all the minnows and I've yet to find the hogsucker that may or may not reside in this pool. However, my curiosity for this monster remained.
In a move to hunt this monster, I went downstream to search for the perfect candidate to sacrifice as bait. About 50 feet away was where a set of rapids dumped into a long slow pool. This was where I caught the perfect candidate - a 3" common shiner.
Carefully and painstakingly, I escorted this unwilling participant upstream, swimming strongly against the current inside my trout net as I made my way back to the pool. While I tied on a #10 circle hook, I shook with anticipation and unease about the unknown. Finally, I lifted the shiner gently and attached the circle hook to the upper lip. My line had a split shot to help the shiner sink to the depth as I guided the shiner to the depth on a free line.
As the shiner disappeared, I felt a sharp tug. Immediately, I dropped the rod tip and let the monster take the shiner away. I was not sure how long to wait, but in moments like these, I probably gave it less time than what my perception suggested.
Finally, the line started to move. I gave the line a sweeping set and a heavy weight pulled back. As the first sign of danger, the monster shot for the gnarled safety of its lair. I was prepared for this move and countered with a steady, unrelenting, rod-tip-low maneuver. It worked beautifully, but now the monster lunged out of the water directly at me.
Holy cow!
The monster grew up swimming in the current and the strength of its muscles were conditioned to fight against all adversity. We were locked in a valiant battle, both sides refusing to give any quarters. However, my patience eventually outdone the monster's physical advantage...and I guided it carefully into the shallow.
Surprisingly, it was smaller than I had thought. However, for a small stream inhabitant, it was rather respectable.
This monster was a 16" smallmouth bass. Over the years, it had probably tormented scores of minnows in the stream, picking off the weak, the sick and the unsuspecting. It lived to this day by lurking the the depths and being an extremely intelligent opportunist. Unfortunately, it had underestimate my strategies and stealth. The monster had learned a lesson...never mess with me
Okay...enough poetic interpretation. It was a day of minnow catching. Aside from that monster, I also caught another 8" smallmouth and jumped one other smallie that was about 1lb. I searched about 1km of stream and finally found some northern hogsucker...but they were only 4-6" long and my hooks were much too large for them. I was told there were suckers from 10-12" long and I was prepared for the larger models. 
I did see one large sucker about 11" long momentarily...however, it swam away as quickly as it appeared. 
Next time I'll arm myself with some #20-24 hook. I will continue to hunt my #200...at least now I know where they live.