Dwight Hottle

John I'm noticing the sheer size of that tackle bag. It looks bigger than mine. Mine is so heavy I make who ever is with me carry it. Congrats on the nice day on the water in the newboat.

New angler, My first fish weighed 6lb-4oz. If I was a guide, fishing might become work rather than fun. Besides I'm retired .

Had a long time buddy come over yesterday for some smallie action. His biggest smallie to date was a 4lb-15 oz. I gave him my hot bait to use for the day and he outfished me 6 bass to my 4. Here a pic of new personal best, right at 6lbs.

Last bass of the day before heading home.

I had one bait 12 feet back from the boat in a rod holder while I turned the boat. I looked back and my rod got slamed. Heck of a bonus. 32" long & 12lb-4oz.

Here is another view, same fish. I caught 5 smallies all on a pointer 100 deep diver. Water temp was 51 degrees. Fish were still spread out.

Here is my first fish from Sunday Nov 8th on lake erie fishing by myself.

Great story & pictures. Time spent fishing with your dad is priceless!

Try posting your question on Walleye central under the Canada forum. There is plenty of good advice regarding your specific question. Good luck.

MattinOK, I hope your happy, you just cost me $279.99. I already have one & its a pretty sweet reel. Thanks for the heads up.

RW wrote " We have a different take on the Tennessee River. ALL smallmouth under 12lbs 1 oz are released." I am glad to see you remembered the IGFA rule about beating the existing record by two ounces or more under 25lbs. :)

Great markings on that smallie. RW is right about the striper but he does make the smallmouth look even bigger by comparison!

Way to go Zimmy. Nice fish. Your probably hooked now.

Carmen, Thats my new Lake Erie ride. The steelies taste best when smoked.

J Francho, Right now it's kinda like combat fishing the tribs & creeks because of so many fisherman. On a nice day its almost shoulder to shoulder fisherman. The lake in front of the tribs has minimal pressure so I fish the lake for my sanity & elbow room. The best stream fishing is in the winter months for solitude. Here is a different strain 31 incher.

And here is my biggest. ;)

Had a buddy up for some steelie fishing. Almost as much fun as catching big smallies. Here is my buddies biggest so far.

Wanted to go smallie fishing. Got to the lake, still dirty from the October blows. One to two foot visibilty. Tried at 25 foot, 20 foot, 15 foot. Went into 9-10 foot. Trolled floating rapalas straight back, blue & silver only color that worked. Those steelies are a gas on light spinning gear. Used 8lb power pro braid with 12 lb maxima green leaders. ;D ;D

Kent, I think you you need to alter your plan. If your boat buddies would fish with deep diving cranks bumping bottom occasionaly & try to free all subsquent snags it would make your life easier. But if they aren't into that you probably need to stick with live bait because it works. Remember this quote? I stole it from your article The Next World Record Smallmouth Bass written in 2005. " A second factor that protects the species is the fact that smallmouth in the Midsouth are VERY difficult to target during spring and summer, the time of year when the majority of "recreational fishermen" are out on the water. On top of that, for whatever reason, artificial lures do not produce many big bronzebacks on this river." Good luck with your quest. We both know your fishing in the right waters.

Roger, Thanks for the honorable mention. PA forbids any bass tournaments during the prespawn period April 18th thru June 12th on lake erie & inland waters. That's prime time for me. A 28-32 lbs bag of 5 fish would be very doable on the right day for a two man team during that period.

If you use a boga you can lip them & weigh them immediately. It also saves your hand from hooks if your using crank/jerk baits with mutiple trebles. Hang the boga from a belt loop & its alway there when you need it. 8-)

No No, Rolo This is the real photo. : :

Here is a picture of a 32lber I caught this June for comparison. She was 49" long by 21.75" girth. You be the judge.

RW, ;D That scale will humble you everytime. ;D Good you got out & have started the fall bite countdown.

Congradulations to both your wife & yourself. She is a real trouper. Beautiful pictures.