7 lb Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass ~

[WRB]

Wow a bass of a lifetime👍

Tom

[Motoboss]

Congratulations on another 7 plus! Beautiful catch. The slow, calm demeanor is almost impossible to maintain. Nicely done.

[Jimmy Wallhanger]

That's a tank

[MIbassyaker]

On 6/6/2024 at 9:22 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I don't doubt it, I was just listening to a podcast discussing the fact that SMs, and SM bags seem to be getting bigger and bigger.  

 

I think this is supported by evidence as well.   B/t the Gobys and Zebra Mussels, along with in some years, a month longer growing season because of increased temps, it all adds up to growing bigger fish.

 

The Michigan state Smallmouth record has got to be one of the most vulnerable state records for bass in the country right now. It has fallen twice in the last 10 years, after standing for over 100, and still just a hair under 10lb.

On 6/6/2024 at 11:01 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Shush, I was hoping he would slip up and leak the coordinates to Menderchuck......he'd have fools from Alabama making the pilgrimage up there for SMs like he catches 🤣

 

Current state record holder is a guy from Florida who did exactly that. 

[A-Jay]

12 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

Current state record holder is a guy from Florida who did exactly that. 

And to add insult to injury,

I'm pretty sure he caught it off his dock

on a worm from a Walmart live bait container dangling under a bobber.

A trophy smallmouth bass anglers worse nightmare !

The DNR 'verified the record' after the fish had been in the guys freezer for a week.

Just shoot me now. 

A-Jay

[gim]

12 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

The Michigan state Smallmouth record has got to be one of the most vulnerable state records for bass in the country right now. It has fallen twice in the last 10 years, after standing for over 100, and still just a hair under 10lb.

 

Minnesota's current smallmouth state record is 8 pounds and its been around for a long, long time.  Its now been classified as a "historical state record" because prior to 1980, no photos, witnesses, or verified weight was required for submission and certification (yes, you could basically fill out the paperwork, sign it, turn it in, and get state record status for it).

 

They've changed that now and although that state record is still the mark, I have a pretty good feeling it will be broken sooner than later.  We don't have the Great Lakes fisheries that Michigan does, but smallmouth bass are getting bigger and bigger with our clearing and warming waters.  Additionally, the MN DNR is soon likely going to eliminate the closed season on bass and more prespawn spring fishing will be legal for C & R in the next few years.  That's when the mark will be broken IMO.

[MIbassyaker]

10 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Minnesota's current smallmouth state record is 8 pounds and its been around for a long, long time.  Its now been classified as a "historical state record" because prior to 1980, no photos, witnesses, or verified weight was required for submission and certification (yes, you could basically fill out the paperwork, sign it, turn it in, and get state record status for it).

 

They've changed that now and although that state record is still the mark, I have a pretty good feeling it will be broken sooner than later.  We don't have the Great Lakes fisheries that Michigan does, but smallmouth bass are getting bigger and bigger with our clearing and warming waters.  Additionally, the MN DNR is soon likely going to eliminate the closed season on bass and more prespawn spring fishing will be legal for C & R in the next few years.  That's when the mark will be broken IMO.

 

Yeah, that should do it all right. 

 

Wasn't there a BASS Elites event on Mille Lacs several years ago where somebody (Ish?) caught one in practice that might have challenged the record, but they didn't think to check?  I seem to remember that happening.

[gim]

Just now, MIbassyaker said:

Wasn't there a BASS Elites event on Mille Lacs several years ago where somebody (Ish?) caught one in practice that might have challenged the record, but they didn't think to check?  I seem to remember that happening.

 

It was in September 2015.  Brent Ehrler caught a 6 pound, 10 ouncer on the final (third) day.  It was verified by weight and then subsequently released.

 

That's almost a decade ago now.

 

I have no doubt that the new state record smallmouth is coming from that lake.  And it might be by accident from a walleye angler using live bait.  That would be akin to @A-Jay example above with the one caught off a dock using a worm.

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

And to add insult to injury,

I'm pretty sure he caught it off his dock

on a worm from a Walmart live bait container dangling under a bobber.

A trophy smallmouth bass anglers worse nightmare !

The DNR 'verified the record' after the fish had been in the guys freezer for a week.

Just shoot me now. 

A-Jay

Big SMB love worms 

[Fishingmickey]

Absolutely huge Smallmouth! Way to go, AJay!

[dodgeguy]

U da man!!!! Wow !!!!

[islandbass]

@12poundbass or maybe the Yakuza 😂

 

@A-Jay  well done and beautiful smallie. Congrats. Even if it isn’t a new pb for you, I know you’re not complaining 😎👍😂

[IcatchDinks]

Somehow I missed this when you posted it, but wanted to drop in and say congratulations! That's super cool. What a special fish. 

[Dwight Hottle]

On 6/17/2024 at 12:24 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Big SMB love worms 

Maybe I should put a small piece of worm on my rear jerk bait hook. Double the attraction. 

[TnRiver46]

21 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Maybe I should put a small piece of worm on my rear jerk bait hook. Double the attraction. 

Thinking like a salmonid fisherman now ! 

[The Baron]

Awesome bass, @A-Jay  Great job and congratulations. 😎

[PaulVE64]

It's the gobies

[PaulVE64]

Nom Noms

Upriver its evident the great lakes are really producing 

[A-Jay]

47 minutes ago, PaulVE64 said:

It's the gobies

Agreed.

However there are gobies all over this country.   Most will never see a fish like this with or without them.

However if and when a basshead can combine  commitment, dogged determination, over the top preparation and flawless execution, there's always a chance.

A-Jay

[PaulVE64]

Well said and congrats say i

[SC53]

Awesome awesome fish AJ. 

[whitwolf]

Well done my friend!