[spare tire]

I was reading our small town paper this weekend, and saw that a guy last year caught the Michigan state record for a smallmouth. It wasn't verified by anyone but he got it mounted 21 1/2 " long. I don't know if you guys noticed my avatar but that smallmouth was 22" long caught and released last year. I had a good freind of mine, Howard Capone on the boat with me, So at least I had a witness. As a matter of fact the lure hanging out of its mouth was made by Howard. I believe I caught the same fish 2 years ago at 21 1/2" , unless there are 2 monsters in the same lake, same area. I guess you guys no where I'll be come bass season, The question is if you catch that thing at dark where would you take it to get it verified after everything is closed. If I'm lucky enough to battle this monster again I don't know if I should mount him or release him. He sure wold look nice hanging on my wall with one of my hand made lures hanging out of his mouth, but it is also a great feeling knowing he is still lurking out there.

[snooterfish]

hummmmmm! A "Capone" for a witness?????? in TN where i fish (Douglas) the minmium smallie you are allowed to keep is 22". it sounds like your luck is like mine. good looken fish in the photo. hummmmmm!! a "Capone" for a witness???? remember the monster in Calif. that the guy released? they have done everthing but seign that place and still no record yet. i don't blame you tho for trying. good luck in trying to catch it again. hey, no offense in the Capone humer.
richard

[Howard Capone]

Snoterfish,

Hey we Capone's always back up our stories!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...e/101_0244.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...e/101_0248.jpg

Howard Capone

[snooterfish]

Get R done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
good looken fish
snooterfish

[doomdart]

The question is if you catch that thing at dark where would you take it to get it verified after everything is closed.

measure, weigh, and photo boatside if possible. Then hightail it to the nearest 24 hour grocery store. Sweet talk the butcher/meat manager and ask them to weigh it. Those scales are inspected regularly by state employees in most states (if not all). I believe that would be sufficient data to support a state record.

[maximusgunn]

I was thinking along the same line as doomdart, go to a grocery store. If you want a mount I would take all measurements, length, width, girth, and take a few pictures from different angles, then have a replica made.

[MicroSalm]

State Record Smallmouth Bass for Michigan?? Here is a link to Michigan's state fish records. Smallie is 9.25#. Nice fish though.

http://www.michigandnr.com/MasterAng...sterAngler.asp

[spare tire]

I guess I feel better about that, mabey it was a Upper pen. record, I'llhave to recheck that. It was a real nice fish, and that is what the paper said, but I thought that was a little small also. I've caught plenty of 18"-19" smallies, and that would be rare with a 22" record. I might of mounted him anyways if I caught him on one my cranks. My son also looked up the info and he also said 21 1/2 was record. kids

[kenshomi]

It all depends on the "girth" That's what she said!!!

I have caught a few 21 inchers, that have only tipped the scales at 4/12 to 5lbs in the Lower Pen. No where close to the record.

The best thing you can do for all of us is release those giants - they make lots-o-babies

3 weekends to go for Catch and release!!!!

[Vodkaman]

Spare tire.

I hope you catch the monster many more times.

I'm all for catch and release.