How big is a big smallmouth?

[Johnsonator]

I was at vermillion last weekend and didn't get a whole lot of fishing in due to the strong wind and huge waves. On my first cast I managed to hook a very fat 19 incher. I thought this was big, but is it wall hanger size or not. I did not weigh it but it felt heavy.I released it because I probably wouldn't mount one unless it was huge.

[Yaeger Guide]

Nice smallie. I have always heard the "at least over 20 inches" when referring to mounting a smallmouth. If you get one that size, take plenty of pictures and measurements (length, girth, etc.) and still release it. Have a replica done of it. A replica mount should run about $10 per inch...or at least that is what it was 5 to 6 years ago.

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God bless,
Judd Yaeger
Yaeger Guides
(Twin Cities Guides)
www.yaegerweb.com/guide

[BigMike]

I would second YG's 20inch mark. I caught a 20.5'' C&R'd last fall and I don't think I would keep anything to mount period, I would definitely opt for a replica.

Now if I did catch a massive smallie (24+ inches), I may (note - MAY!) keep it and get it weighed because if I didn't I might always wonder how close to a state record I got.

A 20+ inch fish is a great replica size. Anything bigger is an even better replica .

[Mayfly]

Last year I caught many Smallies. I have never fished them before and caught many over 20 inches. Most were about 18 inches on the average. I guess I didn't know what trophies I was catching.

[Dan Wood]

I agree, 20" is a pretty big smallmouth and even largemouth for that matter.. 5 lbs. I consider a good fish for both - usually it takes a little over 20", but that is the standard that most people use 20" = 5 lbs.

[Mark Christianson]

Man, I have fished the Miss for years, and my biggest is 19 3/4".
I cannot break that 20 inch mark to save my life.

Maybe July 10th will be my day in the spotlight.

[Jim W]

SOmething I need to reiterate, but first,
and if I have to, "everyone has the right to do what they please with a legal catch"...fweeewhhh, that was tough.

Anyway, especially in small streams and rivers and on occasion lakes and larger rivers, depending on many habit variables, smallmouth take a long time to reach such lengths.

I mounted a 20 + inch small stream/river smally years ago, before realizing the time frame for growth. Feel a little bad, but since then have released similar fish and a few larger.
Kind of interesting, this medium size river continually puts out nice smallmouth. After catching that fish I am constantly looking for places that can produce much larger fish.

THere isn't. Granted, average size you can.
For example in some of Lake Michigans bays, Lake of the Woods, Rainy River and the Mississippi River, all have prospective trophy class smallmouth. You have a better chance than my home waters of catching a 20+er, but that is about it.

The State record smallmouth will be very tough to beat.

If you feel like it should be mounted...go for it, but as mentioned a 20 incher is a huge smally no matter where you fish.
Sorry off track a bit, but I love smallies!

Great fish by the way!

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[sami0115]

i have yet to catch a 20" smallie... quite a few from 17" to 19", but never a 20". i would love to see one, even if it was hanging from the end of someone elses line.

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