Montana Smallmouth Bass Record Possibly Broken 2024
Diggy reply :
Glendive, Mont. angler Melvin McDonald may have caught the new state record smallmouth bass on Friday. He was fishing on Fort Peck Reservoir which, according to Montana Department of Natural Resources officer Craig Putchat, has seen an explosion of great smallmouth bass fishing this year. The smallmouth weighed 6.7 pounds and measured 22.5 inches long. The pending record bass was caught on a Berkley Gulp Minnow while bottom bouncing for walleyes. Photo courtesy of Craig Putchat. The fish is pending approval as a state record currently.
NEjitterbugger reply :
Beauty!
*Hootie reply :
Uh oh! Here we go again..... Uhh, let me start. I say it shoudn't count. After all, he was fishing for walleyes...lol.
Hootie
h8nbmps00 reply :
Such ashame it wasn't released to b caught again
iabass8 reply :
that is one ugly smallmouth.
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 9/1/2013 at 11:52 PM, h8nbmps00 said:Such ashame it wasn't released to b caught again
If you want the state record most often that fish is going to be dead because of the lengthy verification process. Any licensed angler has the right to keep that fish if they want their name in the record books. There is no shame in that decision.
A-Jay reply :
What's the current record ?
A-Jay
h8nbmps00 reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 1:51 AM, Dwight Hottle said:If you want the state record most often that fish is going to be dead because of the lengthy verification process. Any licensed angler has the right to keep that fish if they want their name in the record books. There is no shame in that decision.
I'm sure he had his reason to keep it.I understand that but at the same time I'm sure he had a scale and a tape measure and a cell phone to take a pic.
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 2:21 AM, h8nbmps00 said:I'm sure he had his reason to keep it.I understand that but at the same time I'm sure he had a scale and a tape measure and a cell phone to take a pic.
Maybe he did, maybe he did not. That is not the point. Most states require a state record be weighed on a certified scales like you find at a meat market or grocery store. Some states require the fish be examined by dnr or a biologist to certify it is the correct species. Many times a witness is required for the weighing process besides the scale operator. It is not a simple process like you suggest.
h8nbmps00 reply :
your just trying to justify the reason.all I said was it was ashame it can't b caught again.I didn't say I wouldn't have kept it.its a record plain and simple but so was dottie who was caught 3 times....On 9/2/2013 at 2:53 AM, Dwight Hottle said:Maybe he did, maybe he did not. That is not the point. Most states require a state record be weighed on a certified scales like you find at a meat market or grocery store. Some states require the fish be examined by dnr or a biologist to certify it is the correct species. Many times a witness is required for the weighing process besides the scale operator. It is not a simple process like you suggest.
WRB reply :
6.66 lbs, 21" sounds like a tie or co record.On 9/2/2013 at 2:08 AM, A-Jay said:What's the current record ?
A-Jay
Tom
A-Jay reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 4:49 AM, WRB said:6.66 lbs, 21" sounds like a tie or co record.
Tom
Thanks Tom - sounds like that official measurement will be pretty close.
A-Jay
AK-Jax86 reply :
That fish is beauty
JeziHogg reply :
6.6 lbs is the record? dammn I would have broken it 15 times this year alone.
00 mod reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 8:32 AM, JeziHogg said:6.6 lbs is the record? dammn I would have broken it 15 times this year alone.
WOW? Really? That is quite the feat. A 6 3/4lb smallie is huge man! 15 times. Congrats! I am still looking to break the 5lb mark!
Jeff
flyfisher reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 8:32 AM, JeziHogg said:6.6 lbs is the record? dammn I would have broken it 15 times this year alone.
15 times? That is crazy, especially considering the Ontario record is under 10lbs.
It would be like me catching a 11lb LM here in va 15 times this season....kudos to you
A-Jay reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 8:32 AM, JeziHogg said:6.6 lbs is the record? dammn I would have broken it 15 times this year alone.
OK Man - time to start posting up some big bass photos . . . .
A-Jay
flyfisher reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 1:49 AM, A-Jay said:OK Man - time to start posting up some big bass photos . . . .
A-Jay
and a picture of the calibrated scale 
greyleg33 reply :
The Dale Hollow world record was caught by a guy trolling for walleye.
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 1:56 AM, greyleg33 said:The Dale Hollow world record was caught by a guy trolling for walleye.
Those walleye fisherman catch some big fish besides walleye.
JeziHogg reply :
I usually don't take pics because 90% the time I fish alone, but last weekend I went out with my buddy and he caught a 6 1/2 lber - Not uncommon on the lake we fish. Now the biggest LMB we catch around here are 7-8lbs max.
Btw: I use a Boga grip if anyones wondering.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
A-Jay reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 3:18 AM, JeziHogg said:I usually don't take pics because 90% the time I fish alone, but last weekend I went out with my buddy and he caught a 6 1/2 lber - Not uncommon on the lake we fish. Now the biggest LMB we catch around here are 7-8lbs max.
Btw: I use a Boga grip if anyones wondering.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Nice fish.
A-Jay
JeziHogg reply :
Ill pass it on to my friend =)
flyfisher reply :
Real nice fish.
JeziHogg reply :
I honestly think the SM 9.13LB Ontario record will be broken soon. Guys that fish tournaments are getting 20-25lb daily bags regularly now (especially on Lake Simcoe and Rice lake). Heck I was .8oz short of tying the record just this year alone.
00 mod reply :
You caught an almost 9lb smallie without a pic? Whaaa?
Tell you buddy nice smallie!
Jeff
Bankbeater reply :
That is one nice looking smallie!
Brian Needham reply :
I REALLLLLLLLLY hope all these "take a pic and release it" guys catch a record fish one day!
then will see who walks the walk and runs the yapper on the interwebs......
A-Jay reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 4:04 AM, JeziHogg said:I honestly think the SM 9.13LB Ontario record will be broken soon. Guys that fish tournaments are getting 20-25lb daily bags regularly now (especially on Lake Simcoe and Rice lake). Heck I was .8oz short of tying the record just this year alone.
A five fish bag of 5lb smallies is a heck of a good day but not that unusual on the right body water especially pre-spawn.
But smallmouth bass over 8lbs are a whole different story - how can you not take a picture of such a rare catch ?
A-Jay
JeziHogg reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 4:26 AM, A-Jay said:A five fish bag of 5lb smallies is a heck of a good day but not that unusual on the right body water especially pre-spawn.
But smallmouth bass over 8lbs are a whole different story - how can you not take a picture of such a rare catch ?
A-Jay
Well I'm a cheap wretched when it comes to my cell phone, I've had the same one since '99 and refuse to pay $60+ for a smart phone plan. Plus my personal boat its tiny and I can only have so much stuff on it and still be comfortable standing on it, let alone taking a selfy of a fish I caught. But hopefully next year ill have new bass boat and mark my word ill catch another one to prove it.
Brian Needham reply :
wow.........having the same cell phone since '99 is a larger feat than landing a state record fish!!!!!
I am not being sarcastic when I say this either.
JeziHogg reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 4:56 AM, Brian Needham said:wow.........having the same cell phone since '99 is a larger feat than landing a state record fish!!!!!
I am not being sarcastic when I say this either.
Lol I'm a firm believer of "If it isn't broken don't fix it". Plus it was my first "big boy" purchase when I was 13 years old so it has sentimental value aswell.
JeziHogg reply :
and plus how many people can say they have the phone from the first Matrix?
A-Jay reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 5:15 AM, JeziHogg said:and plus how many people can say they have the phone from the first Matrix?
Couldn't tell you but I bet it's not less than the number of people who catch 8lb plus smallies and don't take a picture of it . . . . .
A-Jay
Brian Needham reply :
^^^^ZING!!!!!!
kanasbassfisher08 reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 1:51 AM, Dwight Hottle said:If you want the state record most often that fish is going to be dead because of the lengthy verification process. Any licensed angler has the right to keep that fish if they want their name in the record books. There is no shame in that decision.
X2 and there is nothing ugly about it man idk what i would do if that jumped or what i would probably throw my rod in the water yelling "take it". all in all nice catch wish we had fish like that in ks
gravestone reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 1:11 AM, iabass8 said:that is one ugly smallmouth.
That's what I was thinking ,almost looks fake.
jignfule reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 1:51 AM, Dwight Hottle said:If you want the state record most often that fish is going to be dead because of the lengthy verification process. Any licensed angler has the right to keep that fish if they want their name in the record books. There is no shame in that decision.
X2 and I'm a big C&R guy. Haven't keep a bass in decades, but for a state record I would begrudge anyone.
S_Miketa6 reply :
Beautiful Brownie!!!
BigSkyBasser reply :
The walleye fisherman always seem to find those giant structural irregularities that Walleye share with Smallmouth and catch them constantly on accident! Then you try and replicate those results but get nothing when intentionally seeking for bass. Smallies are so crazy to pattern in Montana! Especially in all of the reservoirs where conditions change not only daily but hourly. Kudos to this guy. Seems like out-of-staters always catch the state record, wonder if he's a native.
G_money reply :
On 9/2/2013 at 1:51 AM, Dwight Hottle said:If you want the state record most often that fish is going to be dead because of the lengthy verification process. Any licensed angler has the right to keep that fish if they want their name in the record books. There is no shame in that decision.
True, but it comes down to personal beliefs and your own morality, and everyone is different. I personally would not have kept it, and never will keep a trophy fish...if it comes down to having my name in the books or letting a giant swim free, she's swimming off. I'll take a picture and let it stand at that.
lmbfisherman reply :
On 9/3/2013 at 4:53 AM, JeziHogg said:Well I'm a cheap wretched when it comes to my cell phone, I've had the same one since '99 and refuse to pay $60+ for a smart phone plan. Plus my personal boat its tiny and I can only have so much stuff on it and still be comfortable standing on it, let alone taking a selfy of a fish I caught. But hopefully next year ill have new bass boat and mark my word ill catch another one to prove it.
Dude I'm going to be hanging out with you on your new bass boat, I want a chance at one of those big smallies!
JeziHogg reply :
Lol, you're more then welcome to come to Petawawa whenever you want. I'll take you to Lake Clear.
First fish I caught opening day 2014.
lmbfisherman reply :
On 2/17/2015 at 11:01 AM, JeziHogg said:Lol, you're more then welcome to come to Petawawa whenever you want. I'll take you to Lake Clear.
First fish I caught opening day 2014.
Nice, never been to that lake. ATM I fish from Kayak, I'm saving up for a bass boat. Still need a few k more! Maybe I'll take ya up on it when the season finally gets here.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
On 2/17/2015 at 11:01 AM, JeziHogg said:Lol, you're more then welcome to come to Petawawa whenever you want. I'll take you to Lake Clear.
First fish I caught opening day 2014.
It's only a 9 hour drive. When can I come up? LOL
JeziHogg reply :
My doors always open, just gimme a heads up. Lol
Siebert Outdoors reply :
Wow! Awesome fish!!
Goose52 reply :
Anyone notice that this thread is over 17 months old?
Anyway, looking at the Montana Fish & Wildlife web site, it does look like Mr. McDonald / McDanold (different spelling between the first post of this thread and the Montana web site) was granted the record - congrats to him.... 
Smallmouth Bass
22.5"
6.7 lbs.
8/30/13
Fort Peck Reservoir
Melvin McDanold
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 2/19/2015 at 9:42 PM, Goose52 said:Anyone notice that this thread is over 17 months old?
Anyway, looking at the Montana Fish & Wildlife web site, it does look like Mr. McDonald / McDanold (different spelling between the first post of this thread and the Montana web site) was granted the record - congrats to him....
Smallmouth Bass
22.5"
6.7 lbs.
8/30/13
Fort Peck Reservoir
Melvin McDanold
Nothing like getting a new state record & then the state misspells your name.
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