Quest for the 7 pound Smallmouth 2024

Lucky Craft Man reply :

I have been fishing for smallmouth for sometime and have developed a mild obsession with wanting to catch a 7 pounder. I have caught several in the 6 pound range, but have yet to eclipse the 7 pound mark. I was wondering who here has caught a smallmouth over 7 pounds and if you have, please post a picture along with where you caught it and any good story that might have gone along with it. I think seeing these pictures will help appease my obsession in this quest for the time being and I think would be entertaining for all who hunt for Smallmouth. Thanks!

Fish Chris reply :

Well Lucky Craft, I have caught 6 Smallies over 7 lbs, and 2 over 8 (a totally spawned out 8.2 lb'er, that should have been well over 9 lbs) and my PB that you see in my avatar, which was an extremely fat 8.5 lb'er.

Here's the thing though >

It's NOT that I am such an awesome Smallmounth angler, but rather, 3 years ago (going on 4 now) we had a lake up here in Nor Cal, which was just going stupid crazy, with HUGE Smallies ! In 2007 alone, this little 1100 acre lake produced no fewer than 30 Smallies over 8 lbs, and maybe 5 over 9 lbs ! And then, just for icing on the cake, it kicked out a 9.7 lb'er, which crushed our 30 year old state record of 9.1 lbs !

Unfortunately, the cycle for Smallies in this lake peaked in 07', and has quickly fallen ever since :( Now, you'd be pretty lucky to get a 5 lb'er or two. I never caught a legit 6 lb'er there last year

On the other hand, this same lake has a great, and seemingly growing, number of 8 to 10+ Northern strain Largemouth's !

......which, of course, are great Northern Strainer's, right ?

And it's beautful lake too, with crystal clear water, tons of wildlife, NO water skiing (I love that part )

I just LOVE fishing that place.

The only problem is, without the draw of a HUGE, potentially record breaking Smallmouth, I kind of feel like I'm just spinning my wheels their nowadays

I just know their are much better places for me to hurry up and catch 11 more double digit Largemouth's (I need 11 more to hit 100). Pretty much "only" places with Florida strain bass, and hatchery trout.

Hmmmm....

Oh, here are some pictures for you

A nice, wide 7.5 lb'er, that photo'd well...

Believe it or not, this is the 8.2. What might look like a little belly fat, is actually a totally empty, sagging gut. This fish had such a huge frame, and head. I hate the photo, but....

A nice, long, strong 7.5 lb'er.

My 8.5 actually had a much smaller frame than the 8.2 above, and no bigger frame than the long, strong 7.5.... but she just had that HUGE gut

My 8.5 was SOOO strong too ! She fought me the whole time I was trying to take photos... never rolled over in the livewell, and would snap her mouth shut tight, to try to keep me from lipping her. She finally realeased with an explosion that drenched me Whoo Hoo

Again, pretty much anybody fishing this lake, in 07', as much as I did, would have caught fish just like these, and maybe even more.

I was sure lucky to be one of the guys there doing it when it was ON !

Peace,

Fish

Lucky Craft Man reply :

WOW...thanks Fish Chris! These are the kind of pictures I was hoping for. Really great looking fish. I don't know what I would do if I caught an 9 lb. (or 8 lb. for that matter) Smallmouth. I might just sell off all my equipment and give up fishing, because it can't get much better than that. Thanks again! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dwight Hottle reply :

Here's my pb erie fish at 7lb-6oz. Another fish just under at 6lb-14oz. Both were 22 inches long.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Beautiful fish, Dwight. I have spent many of hours on Erie looking for that 7 pounder. I knew if anyone had pictures of one from Erie, it would be you. Thanks for posting and I can't wait until Spring to give it another shot. Maybe I'll see you out there.

roadwarrior reply :

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, 2004, my partner,

Speedy Madewell caught a 10 lb smallmouth that

I netted and weighed. On January 15, 2005 I caught

the fish in my avatar, the fat one just over 7 and

the longer fish just over 8.

Here are some other 6 & 7 lb fish caught a week earlier:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

8-)

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote
The Saturday before Thanksgiving, 2004, my partner,
Speedy Madewell caught a 10 lb smallmouth that

I netted and weighed. On January 15, 2005 I caught

the fish in my avatar, the fat one just over 7 and

the longer fish just over 8.

Here are some other 6 & 7 lb fish caught a week earlier:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

8-)

RW, great article and unbelievable fish! So you held a 10 pound Smallmouth. What a run of big fish you had in the Fall of '04 and the Winter of '05. Have you still been catching fish that size or has the fishery peaked (much like how Fish Chris said his fishery peaked in '07)? I am a little afraid Lake Erie has peaked and maybe on it's way down. My biggest several fish from Erie came 3 to 4 years ago and I haven't caught any in that size since. The good news appear to be that I catch more fish, but they seem to peak at 5 pounds. Maybe in 4 to 5 years, all these smaller fish will grow up and continue the cyclical process.

Dwight Hottle reply :

Lucky Craft Man wrote

Quote
RW, great article and unbelievable fish! So you held a 10 pound Smallmouth. What a run of big fish you had in the Fall of '04 and the Winter of '05. Have you still been catching fish that size or has the fishery peaked (much like how Fish Chris said his fishery peaked in '07)? I am a little afraid Lake Erie has peaked and maybe on it's way down. My biggest several fish from Erie came 3 to 4 years ago and I haven't caught any in that size since. The good news appear to be that I catch more fish, but they seem to peak at 5 pounds. Maybe in 4 to 5 years, all these smaller fish will grow up and continue the cyclical process.

I hear you on the peaking issues. Last year was just a tough year on erie for most everyone except for the one guy who pulled an 8lber. Saw that picture. I can tell the fish are there confirmed by commercial fisherman net hauls. We just didn't get the quality we are used to catching. My theory is that there was too much bait in the system. This year should tell the story if things improve. Most guys think we are spoiled fisherman because we complain about catching four & five ponders but not any or many sixes. Maybe we should blame it on global warming.

milepost43 reply :

I give up...what are the steps to post an image?? thanks...

ww2farmer reply :

I only have one SM right at 6. Even on Erie my best is just a mid 5. No 5+ SMB from Conesus either. But I do have a 6-0, a 5-9, a 5-3 and a 5-2 from a place that dosen't have any SMB ;D :-X

milepost43 reply :

My +40yr fishing buddy and I have been going to Dwight's "backyard" since 2005. I can agree that 2008 was definitely DIFFERENT. Since I was an engineer in my other life, I have kept records of our trips. Attached is 2008 vs 2010. In fact, in 2010 we didn't catch A FISH on some structure that in all the other years always produced at least one +50 fish day. Only about 80 days till we should be saying....FISH ON....

milepost43 reply :

Oops, CRS had kicked in...meant to add...go early with plenty of jerkbaits and Silver Buddys.....

MaineBassMan reply :

Must be nice to be looking for that first seven pound smallmouth!! I'm personally looking for my first over Five pounds. I have caught alot of four pounders but for some reason the all mighty doesn't feel that I'm ready for a five plus!! I don't agree with him! 8-)

Shane J reply :

I'm with you, Mainebassman. My PB smallie is 4-5, and I can't break it to save my life!

Bob Kavanaugh reply :

Quote
The Saturday before Thanksgiving, 2004, my partner,
Speedy Madewell caught a 10 lb smallmouth that

I netted and weighed. On January 15, 2005 I caught

the fish in my avatar, the fat one just over 7 and

the longer fish just over 8.

Here are some other 6 & 7 lb fish caught a week earlier:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

8-)

Neat article, but the Alabama record was caught on Wilson Lake, in the Wheeler tailrace. Not on Wheeler in the Guntersville tailrace.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote

The Alabama record was caught on Wilson Lake, in the Wheeler tailrace. Not on Wheeler in the Guntersville tailrace.

You are correct.

-Kent

bankerbasser reply :

My pb is a 4.9 smally, caught this fall on a spook at Pickwick on the 5th cast of the morning, on a Sunday. It was beautiful. I skipped church for the first time in a while to go that day. I thanked the Lord for that fish as I let her go and told Him that if I didn't catch another fish the rest of the day, it was fine with me. He obliged me with not a single strike the rest of the day ! And I was happy. I love PW and there is no question there is a world record smally in there somewhere. I fish the lower section of the lake mostly, but am starting to learn the upper section around 7 mile island. I can't imagine what a 7 lb smallmouth would be like. Congrats to all who've caugth them and thanks for the pics.

jignfule reply :

FISH CHRIS

Those fish pics are OBSCENE. No longer will I allow my children on this forum!!!

fishingkidPA reply :

Quote
Lucky Craft Man wrote

Quote
RW, great article and unbelievable fish! So you held a 10 pound Smallmouth. What a run of big fish you had in the Fall of '04 and the Winter of '05. Have you still been catching fish that size or has the fishery peaked (much like how Fish Chris said his fishery peaked in '07)? I am a little afraid Lake Erie has peaked and maybe on it's way down. My biggest several fish from Erie came 3 to 4 years ago and I haven't caught any in that size since. The good news appear to be that I catch more fish, but they seem to peak at 5 pounds. Maybe in 4 to 5 years, all these smaller fish will grow up and continue the cyclical process.

I hear you on the peaking issues. Last year was just a tough year on erie for most everyone except for the one guy who pulled an 8lber. Saw that picture. I can tell the fish are there confirmed by commercial fisherman net hauls. We just didn't get the quality we are used to catching. My theory is that there was too much bait in the system. This year should tell the story if things improve. Most guys think we are spoiled fisherman because we complain about catching four & five ponders but not any or many sixes. Maybe we should blame it on global warming.

lol i wish i had 5 and 6 pounders around here, lol! i fish slippery rock creek for smallies. my PB was like 18 inch 3lb i think

Thad reply :

My fishing partner was with a guide on Pickwick last March and the guide caught one over 9lb.

Want to trade homes Kent?

zero reply :

fish chris what kind lure is that on the first picture

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
My fishing partner was with a guide on Pickwick last March and the guide caught one over 9lb.
Want to trade homes Kent?

I know most of the guides. Who did he fish with?

Thad reply :

Jimmy. He's a great guy. I've fished with him also.

Thad reply :

I labeled the pic as a 8 pounder. But I could have swore they said 9. My memory could be better.

J Francho reply :

Here's a couple, not as big as the others posted here....

Lake Ontario, a little over 4:

Lake Ontario, I think it was 4-4, from a long time ago:

Lake Ontario, 5-0

Same fish:

Lake Erie, 5-12

I'm looking for a six plus now. A seven would be spectacular.

Fish Chris reply :

Hey Zero, that is a 6" Huddleston trout. Great sight fishing bait for big Smallies, or Largemouths too, for that matter !

Fish

J Francho reply :

I love the 6" Hudds. Great bait up here.....

zero reply :

Quote
Hey Zero, that is a 6" Huddleston trout. Great sight fishing bait for big Smallies, or Largemouths too, for that matter !
Fish

ok thanks theres some spots in my home that have clear water and big smallies, i'm thinking about giving those a try

how do u fish them ?

BRONZEBACK67 reply :

My personal best is 8.3.(cheap scale) I caught her on Erie in the Fall of 2002.23" and a 19" girth. I have been fortunate to catch a 7 or better every year since. I had a 6.14 at the FLW out of Presque Isle and didn't even win big fish. I had 21 pounds in that tournament and it was a four fish limit.

If you don't follow the crowd you will get one

Trying to find the pic now.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote
My personal best is 8.3.(cheap scale) I caught her on Erie in the Fall of 2002.23" and a 19" girth. I have been fortunate to catch a 7 or better every year since. I had a 6.14 at the FLW out of Presque Isle and didn't even win big fish. I had 21 pounds in that tournament and it was a four fish limit.
If you don't follow the crowd you will get one

Trying to find the pic now.

Joe, is that you?

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/afs/tournament/2010/6490/lake-erie-coangler-results/

BRONZEBACK67 reply :

Quote

Quote
My personal best is 8.3.(cheap scale) I caught her on Erie in the Fall of 2002.23" and a 19" girth. I have been fortunate to catch a 7 or better every year since. I had a 6.14 at the FLW out of Presque Isle and didn't even win big fish. I had 21 pounds in that tournament and it was a four fish limit.
If you don't follow the crowd you will get one

Trying to find the pic now.

Joe, is that you?

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/afs/tournament/2010/6490/lake-erie-coangler-results/

Yes it is. Who is this?

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
My personal best is 8.3.(cheap scale) I caught her on Erie in the Fall of 2002.23" and a 19" girth. I have been fortunate to catch a 7 or better every year since. I had a 6.14 at the FLW out of Presque Isle and didn't even win big fish. I had 21 pounds in that tournament and it was a four fish limit.
If you don't follow the crowd you will get one

Trying to find the pic now.

Joe, is that you?

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/afs/tournament/2010/6490/lake-erie-coangler-results/

Yes it is. Who is this?

I sent you a PM

Pete-K reply :

On 2/23/2011 at 12:54 AM, Thad said:

I labeled the pic as a 8 pounder. But I could have swore they said 9. My memory could be better.

This picture was taken about 2 miles from where I grew up. Sure was nice to grow up with-in site of the Tn river there.

Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1) reply :

I have to say, looking at all the great brown fish posted here, I'm jealous! My quest for the big brown fish continues. Let's not hide it, and call it what it is---an addiction!

Here are two of the biggest from this year. First one is my PB, which went just over 6. Was caught at the last BR Roadtrip to KY Lake, right near the dam. Rapala DT-6, helsenki shad. Roadwarrior was on the boat with me at the time and we had a great day but spent a great deal of time battling the wind... The second picture is from Florence, AL in early APR. This prespawn female went just at 6, full of eggs. Live bait drifting. I was quick in letting this big girl get back in the water!

roadwarrior reply :

Man, I remeber that day like it was yesterday!

Nice fish. Who took that pic?

Steve K reply :

This one is my PB from Sturgeon Bay, WI – May 2009 . My partner and I almost died when she surfaced. It was the typical story... the snag that moved. Caught one day before open season. 22in estimated at 6.75 - 7lbs, full spawn.

Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1) reply :

Well fellow brownie addicts--- I made the 7 lb club last Friday!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/93731-pickwick-partner/page__st__93

urp reply :

I too, am with you MaineBassMan[in another life I owned a camp on North Pond in Maine]. I'm still looking for that 5 pounder and I've been at it for nearly 50 years.

bigfishbk86 reply :

Being in wisconsin i get to fish Sturgeon bay a lot, this year over memorial day weekend, we caught 17 fish total the first 2 days, 3 were under 5lbs, the biggest being 6lbs 8oz (fish in avatar) I've never broke 7, but have numerous over 6, its quite a barrier to break!

bigfishbk86 reply :

Here is one more, this one is 22" just spawned out. Those 2 above were both just under 21. Have caught these pigs on the exact same bait for the last 5 years!

Steve K reply :

Nice Bass bigfishbk86 love that spot in your first photo! This one in my avatar came off a spot in the same area. I have always caught bigger fish there.

steverowbotham reply :

7.60 from a club tournament. Caught on an X-Zone slammer on a dropshot.

roadwarrior reply :

Man, those are some fine brown fish!

onion man reply :

On 1/20/2011 at 1:18 AM, Fish Chris said:

Well Lucky Craft, I have caught 6 Smallies over 7 lbs, and 2 over 8 (a totally spawned out 8.2 lb'er, that should have been well over 9 lbs) and my PB that you see in my avatar, which was an extremely fat 8.5 lb'er.

Here's the thing though >

It's NOT that I am such an awesome Smallmounth angler, but rather, 3 years ago (going on 4 now) we had a lake up here in Nor Cal, which was just going stupid crazy, with HUGE Smallies ! In 2007 alone, this little 1100 acre lake produced no fewer than 30 Smallies over 8 lbs, and maybe 5 over 9 lbs ! And then, just for icing on the cake, it kicked out a 9.7 lb'er, which crushed our 30 year old state record of 9.1 lbs !

Unfortunately, the cycle for Smallies in this lake peaked in 07', and has quickly fallen ever since :( Now, you'd be pretty lucky to get a 5 lb'er or two. I never caught a legit 6 lb'er there last year

On the other hand, this same lake has a great, and seemingly growing, number of 8 to 10+ Northern strain Largemouth's !

......which, of course, are great Northern Strainer's, right ?

And it's beautful lake too, with crystal clear water, tons of wildlife, NO water skiing (I love that part )

I just LOVE fishing that place.

The only problem is, without the draw of a HUGE, potentially record breaking Smallmouth, I kind of feel like I'm just spinning my wheels their nowadays

I just know their are much better places for me to hurry up and catch 11 more double digit Largemouth's (I need 11 more to hit 100). Pretty much "only" places with Florida strain bass, and hatchery trout.

Hmmmm....

Oh, here are some pictures for you

A nice, wide 7.5 lb'er, that photo'd well...

Believe it or not, this is the 8.2. What might look like a little belly fat, is actually a totally empty, sagging gut. This fish had such a huge frame, and head. I hate the photo, but....

A nice, long, strong 7.5 lb'er.

My 8.5 actually had a much smaller frame than the 8.2 above, and no bigger frame than the long, strong 7.5.... but she just had that HUGE gut

My 8.5 was SOOO strong too ! She fought me the whole time I was trying to take photos... never rolled over in the livewell, and would snap her mouth shut tight, to try to keep me from lipping her. She finally realeased with an explosion that drenched me

Again, pretty much anybody fishing this lake, in 07', as much as I did, would have caught fish just like these, and maybe even more.

I was sure lucky to be one of the guys there doing it when it was ON !

Peace,

Fish

Your 8.5 is a brute! Sweet fish, and the way the sun shines on it, it makes the coloration almost look like a spot... Not many people have caught fish, let alone smallies, that huge.

roadwarrior reply :

My favorite fish pic of all time!

Woo-Hoo!

robdob reply :

There is a lake in central PA where the fish commision stocks fingerling brown trout every year.. i have never once saw a trout in this lake.. it also contains rainbow smelt and yellow perch. i have caught about 15 smallies over 5lbs in this lake... your not allowed boats there and your not allowed in the lower half of the lake, its a water supply resorvoir in the mountains... it kinda seems like my own personal playground no one ever goes there and anytime i talk about it people say "oh i didn't know you could fish there"

steverowbotham reply :

On 12/24/2011 at 12:25 AM, robdob said:

There is a lake in central PA where the fish commision stocks fingerling brown trout every year.. i have never once saw a trout in this lake.. it also contains rainbow smelt and yellow perch. i have caught about 15 smallies over 5lbs in this lake... your not allowed boats there and your not allowed in the lower half of the lake, its a water supply resorvoir in the mountains... it kinda seems like my own personal playground no one ever goes there and anytime i talk about it people say "oh i didn't know you could fish there"

Nice. Gotta love the goldmines

urp reply :

I'll join you guys that can't break 5. My best SM is 4 1/2. I'm having nightmares about it.

Jacob34 reply :

I have yet to reach that 7 pound mark as well, but have numerous fish in the six pound range caught out of Jordanelle Res. I wish I had my pictures still, but my Cpu crashed about six months ago and away they went. I had about tens years worth of pictures

13340

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