Check of this huge smalie

[Mattlures]

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Wow!!!!

[justfishin]

Hey Mattlures, that is one pretty smallie. Tell us more about how and where you caught him. He is a good un.

[Mattlures]

Its not me. I have never even caught a smallie. That fish did come from CA though. I seen the picture on another forum. I wount be suprised if some 10+lbers are caught here this year.

[flippin4it.]

      I say the pic has been doctored...........

[5bass]

      I say the pic has been doctored...........

.....what makes you think that? If it isnt altered,Holy Cow!....that is one heck of a smallmouth!  

[justfishin]

What makes you think that the picture is doctored Flippin4it? I may watch too much CSI and hate to sound like Mr. Watson but, I deduce that going by the background in the pic and seeing that it looks like the trees are not all the way green in the background, there is a gentle slope in the lay of the land and it looks like a area full of pebbles and rock and the fish has a big belly, I would say that boy caught himself a big spring spawn female smallmouth. I also say that that fish is a pretty one with the markings it has. I have caught them that big myself but, its markings and size lends it to being one hell of a nice smallie. JMO.

[Mattlures]

I just thought I would share this picture because I havent seen a smalie that looked this thick before. I looks just like our fat trout eating largemouth. Plus most smallie pics that I have seen the fish are more bronze or brown. I just think it is an awsome fish. I dont see anything doctored.

here is the caption

Caught Sunday 3/4/07 @ Pardee lake. The fisherman (Ryan Leveque of Ceres) was using 4 lb. test line and a natural colored rubber worm w/a chartreuse tail. The fish weighed 8.94 lbs. and was caught at the mouth of the Mokelumne river at 7:30 AM.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

It's no doubt a big smallie, but something does look fishy about it now that flippin said something. Check out the area by his left hand.

Plus, check out roadwarrior's avatar. I believe one of those smallies is 8 lbs ...... and this one is less than a pound more than that???? Looks A LOT bigger.

Here's a similar size one

http://www.sportsmansresource.com/photo_pages/photogallery_photo_32.htm

[FishTank]

I sort of doctor/correct photos for a living. There are three possibilities 1)This female small mouth has a lot of eggs 2) She has a serious case of bloat or 3)An extreme case of the Photoshop Bloat tool. ;D

For the record, I downloaded this photo and it was named3818_resized . But after I took a good look at it, I don't think it has been altered. Looks like a nice catch.

[Mattlures]

I dont see anything strange about the pic, but its not mine so I dont care . To me it looks just like our LMB that have been eating trout and are loaded with eggs. I do not know if there are any trout where this fish was caught though. It's FAR away from where I live.after examining that pic that fish looks to be around 20-21inches and considering the girth I would say the weight seems right to me but like I said, I have nothing to do with this pic so think what you will it dont bother me  

[burleytog]

The land in the background looks nothing like what I picture California to be like.

That looks more like some pasture and pond around here.

[fourbizz]

Man! I love that lake. I'm pretty sure I recognize the spot too. Gorgeous fish.

[Mattlures]

Burley you have to remember how big CA. is. That lake doesnt look like any lake around me. Most of my lakes are deep resiviors with a lot of rocks and steep mountains

[burleytog]

That is one thing that amazes me about California.  It is one of the most diverse states in terms of terrain.

I would love to visit the northern part of the state, but California is one of the few states that I refuse to visit for political reasons.

[roadwarrior]

Now, that's a pig!

I have been hunting smallmouth for a number of years and have NEVER seen a smallmouth with such an extended belly, but if you look at David Hayes' World Record, there is a remarkable similarity. Fish like this are uncommon, but that is EXACTLY what it takes to reach such unusual size. This fish is a beauty and I see no reason to question the authenticity of the picture or the stated weight.

That is a beautiful fish.

[bassnleo]

That fish is a tank!

Mattlures thanks for sharing.

Oh and BTW, your bluegill swim bait is dynamite for big smallies that are around beds, If you drop it anywhere in close proximity it gets smoked!

[Upnorth]

Its hard to tell, but that smallie looks alot like a spot.  Monster fish none the less.

[TournyFish001]

who knows if it is real or not- these days a lot can be done with images- weird how his left hand is holding the fish's tail section- I have fished for smallmouth most my life and have never seen one that green before- cool looking fish though-

[5bass]

Its hard to tell, but that smallie looks alot like a spot. Monster fish none the less.

I'm not sure what the fish is called and I have only seen a picture of one of them before.....it was a cross between a smallmouth and a spot. The one I saw a picture of was down south somewhere,maybe Georgia?? it was in Bassmaster a few years ago. It looked alot like that monster in the pic above.

[T-rig]

Is it possible that this bass is some kind of hybrid? Real weird color for a smallmouth!

Looks almost like a cross between a spot and smallie.

[Madhouse27]

Wow, that is one obese smallmouth bass. I've seen some early fish that were fat with eggs but this is certainly an extreme case. Interesting greenish color and nice markings.

[justfishin]

Boy, did I lie. Not intentionally though. I guessed that fish at between 6-7 lbs but, 8-4? I said I caught them like that myself. After 35+ years I have caught some dandys, no doubt but, not like that baby. I don't doubt that the picture is authentic. Somebody is bound to catch one that nice. I have caught them that green in a local lake before so that is not an issue. I really think it is just a big spawning female and the guy got lucky in catching it. Any way you slice it, its a great fish. They don't get much prettier than that one. What do you think RW, I would say that a fish like that would make you feel like your wedding night, if you get my drift !!!,lol.  

[mainebasser]

That is awesome! What a beautiful fish. I don't doubt its authenticity either. As far as the color goes- I am always amazed at the difference of color in smallies and the difference in patterns. This just happens to be a great catch. I *** this fella. I don't know if I'll ever catch and 8lber, but you can be sure when I catch one over 4lbs I'm gonna post it on this site.

[Fish Chris]

I am going to be fishing in this exact lake at least 12 to 15, of the next 30 days !!! Yeeee Haaa ! I'd be pretty happy with a 6 plus PB, but in this place, that might be "too easy" ! A 7 would be Bombastic ! And an 8...... well come on, is their anybody here who wouldn't just flip the heck out over an 8 lb Smallie ? And this place has 9's !

Just unreal !

Hoping to be there two of the next three days :-)

Peace,

Fish