My new PB Smallie 05-13

[hooked82]

Well I recently caught my new personal best smallie and thought I would share it.  I don't have an exact weight, though I'll sure say that it felt like some 6lb. largies that I've caught    Guess it's time to replace my broken scale.  Not sure that I'll be able to beat this one as I haven't seen too many smallmouth in WA bigger than this.  That's not to say that I won't try

[roadwarrior]

That is a BEAUTIFUL smallmouth!

You can never really tell the weight of a fish based on a picture, but to get to 6lbs it would need to be around 23" in length. My guess on your fish is slightly under 5 lbs. If it was particularly thick, which I can't tell from the picture, it could be a little north of that, but 5 1/2 would be a stretch.

[hooked82]

That is a BEAUTIFUL smallmouth!

You can never really tell the weight of a fish based on a picture, but to get to 6lbs it would need to be around 23" in length. My guess on your fish is slightly under 5 lbs. If it was particularly thick, which I can't tell from the picture, it could be a little north of that, but 5 1/2 would be a stretch.

Thanks RW, it was a very exhilarating experience.  I can't say with certainty, but I would say that the fish was 22"-23" long and it was very wide.  Wider than smallmouths that I've seen here in WA get.  Personally I would say it was no less than 5-1/2 lbs, but this is of course just my internal scale talking.  I'm a big guy and probably weigh 250 as to give a little more perspective to my size compared to the fish.  It was extremely tough to "lip" the fish as it weighed significantly more than my normal 2-3lber's  

All in all, it was a great experience whether it weighed 4lbs, 5lbs, or 6lbs, cause it did make my day, and I can now say that I've caught the larger smallmouth than my friend who lives to "rub it in"

[bpm2000]

where in WA are you?  that thing is a beast!

[hooked82]

This guy...I mean gal was caught at Lk. Stevens. I was using a #10 Silver/Black Rapala Jerkbait working it past the docks. Stevens, from what I've heard can produce some very nice smallies. 5 of my 6 smallies this year have come from there, and the other was from Goodwin.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

beautiful catch!

[grimlin]

Definely a great catch.I love the colors on smallmouths.

[sodaksker]

Great Fish.  Those smallies sure have a broad array of coloring.  We have been doing pretty well on the Missouri river as of late.  In the same day we'll catch 25 different fish and one will be light in color with no marks and then 5 minutes later out of the same hole we'll catch dark and striped like the one in your pic.  Fun none the less.

[hooked82]

Thanks guys  It was definately quite the thrill.

I love the color of the smallies as well.  I've seen some really light colored ones up here and on the flipside, one that pretty much looked black.  This one sure had quite a few colors to it and definately a great looking fish.

Fishing the Missouri, that sure sounds fun.  Pretty much just the Columbia River up here.  I would love to fish it, would just need a more stable boat before I get that chance though.

[slarose20]

Very nice fish.  I have to agree with every here on the fact that smallies have the best arangement for color.  i bet the fight was unbelievable, gosh i can't wait till i head back to NY on sunday where i can do some major smallie fishing  Grats again

SteveL

[justfishin]

I always like to get my guess in there and guessing from a pic is tough. I would say between 4-8 and 5. Any way you slice or dice it, thats a good fish !!! Good job and congrats.