June 18, 2015 By Jack Vitek
Although oftentimes overshadowed by their larger-mouthed relatives, the smallmouth bass is easily one of the most popular freshwater game fish in North America. Their expansive range, accessibility, and willingness to take a variety of baits, lures, and flies make them a great target for sportsmen of all levels.
And while they don't grow as big as largemouths, pound-for-pound, smallmouth bass are every bit as strong and aggressive.
Couple these facts with their beautifully mottled complexion, and it's no wonder why anglers have pursued smallmouth bass for centuries.
So without further ado, here's 10 of the biggest smallmouth bass ever recorded:
All-Tackle: David Hayes -- 11 pounds, 15 ounces
Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee
David Hayes' celebrated 5.41 kg (11 pounds, 15 ounces) All-Tackle world record smallmouth bass has seen its share of controversy over the years.
Hayes caught his record fish on July 9, 1955 while trolling a lure in Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee, without a doubt the most famed body of water for producing massive smallmouth bass.
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In fact, the three heaviest smallmouth ever recorded have come from Dale Hallow!
Hayes' catch held the All-Tackle title for 41 years, despite swirling rumors throughout the angling community denouncing his catch. These rumors, coupled with an affidavit stating that the dock owner added lead weight to the catch (unbeknownst to Hayes), resulted in the temporary ousting of Hayes' record.
During this time, John Gorman's held the All-Tackle title with his 10 pound, 14 ounce smallmouth he caught on April 24, 1969 while fishing the same location (Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee).
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However, nine years later, it was proven through multiple polygraph tests that the sworn affidavit that denounced the legitimacy of Hayes' smallmouth, had been falsified.
Thus, returning the All-Tackle title to Hayes and retiring Gorman's trophy, which still holds the title of the second heaviest smallmouth ever submitted to the IGFA, even though it is not a current record. Despite the controversy surrounding Hayes' smallmouth, it has withstood the test of time – and quite a few polygraphs, too.
8-Pound Line: Paul E. Beal -- 10 pounds, 8 ounces
Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee
More than 30 years after Hayes' historical catch, Dale Hollow produced once again on April 14, 1986 in the form of a 10 pound, 8 ounce smallmouth caught by local angler Paul E. Beal. The story goes that Beal was sharing a houseboat with some friends and family, and on that fateful morning he was left behind to do the dishes while his buddies snuck off to go fishing.
Angry that he was left cleaning up after everyone, Beal decided to "cool-down" by going fishing with his dad. Not long after the plastic grub he was casting hit the water, Beal came tight on the trophy smallmouth.
After a 15 minute fight on an 8-pound test and no leader, Beal boated the fish which bottomed-out his 10-pound scale. Knowing he had something special, Beal immediately headed for the docks for an official weighing.
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The catch was documented well and soon after made headlines as the third heaviest smallmouth ever, and the new men's 8-pound line class world record. But that doesn't mean the catch wasn't controversial. Dale Hollow is bisected by the Tennessee/Kentucky border.
According to Beal, the fish was caught in Tennessee, but weighed in Kentucky. This has created a feud between the two states, who both want to claim ownership for this monumental catch, and understandably so.
12-Pound Line: Terry Dodson -- 9 pounds, 6 ounces
Lake Jocassee, South Carolina
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In 2001, angler Terry Dodson made angling headlines for the world record smallmouth he pulled from Lake Jocassee, which is located in far northwest section of South Carolina and very close to the North Carolina border. On the morning of May 3, 2001, Dodson was fishing with a friend on his boat, when the diving plug he was casting suddenly got crushed.
After a relatively quick 5 minute fight, Dodson's friend was able to net the fish. The fish was officially weighed-in at 9 pounds, 6 ounces and has held the men's 12-pound line class record ever since.
6-Pound Line: Dr. E. Scott Yarbo -- 8 pounds, 9 ounces
Counce, Tennessee
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Dr. E. Scott Yarbro braved the snow flurries and strong winds on the morning of March 11, 1998, and ventured out to Pickwick Lake, located in Counce, Tennessee. Later that morning, while casting a 4-inch Harville Shad on a 3/8-ounce jig head, Yarbro hooked into a fish that put his 6-pound tackle to the test.
Nearly 10 minutes after coming tight, Yarbro had the "biggest smallmouth he'd ever seen" on his boat. Realizing they had something special, Yarbro and his friend immediately called it a day and headed straight to a local store for an official weigh-in, where it tipped the scales at an impressive 8 pounds, 9 ounces.
Soon after, Yarbro's fish was granted the men's 6-pound line class record, which it still holds today.
16-Pound Line: Terrell D. Nail -- 8 Pounds, 6 ounces
Pickwick Lake, Alabama
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The men's 16-pound line class record has belonged to Terrell D. Nail since he pulled an 8 pound, 6 ounce smallmouth from Alabama's Pickwick Lake on January 4, 1988. But unlike the other anglers in this list, Nail was fishing with a live shad -- rather than a jig -- when he hooked his world record. The fish put up a tough fight for 8-10 minutes before it could be subdued and landed.
An interesting fact about Nail's record fish is that it was originally submitted for a 12-pound line class record because that was what he was using at the time. Had the line tested accurately, his catch would have never been listed as world record because the 12-pound line class record was a couple ounces heavier at the time.
However, because the 12-pound Berkley Trilene XT line he was using tested out at 16.8 pounds, his catch was placed in the 16-pound category and became the new world record.
Ultra-Light Tackle: Herbert Ratner -- 7 pounds, 0 ounces
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Pickwick Lake, Tennessee
When it comes to catching trophy smallmouth on ultra-light tackle, that title belongs to multiple record holder Herbert Ratner.
On the morning of June 2, 1997 while fishing a live minnow on the Tennessee side of Pickwick Lake, Ratner skillfully played a 7-pound smallmouth on straight 2-pound tackle (no leader) for nearly 20 minutes, before he could subdue the fish.
As if that wasn't impressive enough, Ratner was also able to properly document the fish on the shoreline and then release it alive. And not only does Ratner own this impressive record, he also holds the 2-pound fly tippet record for smallmouth bass with a 5 pound, 8 ounce fish he caught in 2000.
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20-Pound Fly Tippet: John Herrick -- 6 pounds, 12 ounces
Basswood Lake, Minnesota
While John Herrick's 6 pound, 12 ounce smallmouth bass is certainly not the largest specimen ever caught by an angler, it is the largest smallmouth bass record ever caught on fly tackle that has been submitted to the IGFA.
Herrick was fishing Minnesota's Basswood Lake on August 30, 1997 when he caught his record smallmouth.
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The fish ate a white rabbit strip fly and tested Herrick's tackle and whits for nearly 20 minutes before he could finally boat the fish.The catch soon became the men's 20-pound tippet class record after it was officially weighed and submitted to the IGFA.
16-Pound Fly Tippet: Pamela Kinsey McClelland -- 6 pounds, 4 ounces
Pine Lake, Michigan
Before the IGFA decided to split the freshwater line class and fly tippet world records into men's and women's categories (to make the program consistent with the saltwater counterpart), angler Pamela Kinsey McClelland was the only woman to hold a smallmouth bass record.
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McClelland caught a 6 pound, 4 ounce smallmouth on August 12, 1995 while fly fishing on Pine Lake, Michigan with her friend, her husband, and her dog.
McClelland, who was visiting Michigan from her home in Washington D.C., needed 10 minutes to land the trophy smallmouth after it ate the red and white streamer fly she was casting. The catch has held the distinction of the heaviest smallmouth caught on 16-pound fly tippet for nearly 20 years.
Male-Smallfry: Michael Fillette -- 5 pounds, 12 ounces
Lake Erie, New York
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One of the reasons why smallmouth bass are such a popular game fish is because anyone can catch them. Unlike a musky or a marlin that can overpower young or inexperienced anglers, smallmouth are sized appropriately to accommodate all anglers, while still requiring finesse and skill.
Angler Michael Fillette was only eight years old when he caught a fish that most smallmouth junkies would die for -- a 5 pound, 12 ounce fish that he pulled from Lake Erie in New York on May 18, 2009.
The young Fillette needed only 8 minutes to subdue the fish after it inhaled the live shiner he was fishing. Not only does Fillette hold the Male-Smallfry record, he is also the youngest angler to hold a record on smallmouth bass.
8-Pound Fly Tippet: Ichiro Nagai -- 5 pounds, 9 ounces
Lake Inawashiro, Japan
Although smallmouth bass gained their popularity in North America, their reach is not limited to the US and Canada alone. After being introduced in locations around the world, several international locations are producing world-class sized smallmouth.
On June 8, 2013, Japanese angler Ichiro Nagai, M.D. became the first angler to catch a world record smallmouth bass outside of North America.
Nagai caught his 5 pound, 9 ounce smally while fly fishing Japan's Lake Inawashiro. Nagai needed only a few minutes to subdue the catch, which soon after became the heaviest smallmouth ever caught on 8-pound fly tippet.
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FAQs
What is the biggest smallmouth bass ever recorded? ›
The all-time record smallmouth bass is an 11-pound, 15-ounce fish caught by David Hayes from Dale Hollow Reservoir on the Kentucky-Tennessee border in 1955.
What are the world records for smallmouth bass? ›The IGFA All-Tackle record for the species is 11-pounds, 15-ounces from Lake Dale Hollow in 1955 by angler David Hayes. Only one other smallmouth over 10 pounds is recorded by IGFA in its record book, a 10.5-pounder from Hendricks Creek, Kentucky in 1986.
What state has the largest smallmouth bass? ›...
A World Record Smallmouth Bass?
| State | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10 lbs 8 oz |
| Location | Wheeler Dam (tailwater) |
| Angler | Owen F. Smith |
| Date | 1950 |
UPDATE: Greg Gasiciel's 9.32-pound smallmouth bass has been certified by Michigan DNR as the new state record! Read their release here.
How old is a 15 inch smallmouth bass? ›That's why we can't tell how old a fish is without examining the scales or other hard parts. A 15-inch bass might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old. A big bass, say five pounds, might be anywhere between six and 16 years old.
How old is a 19 inch smallmouth bass? ›For example a 19 inch fish is most likely 9 years old (27% of all 19 inch fish are 9), but could be between 6 and 13 years old.
How old is a 20 inch smallmouth? ›First, river smallmouth bass grow very slowly. On average, it takes at least five years to attain 12 inches and 16 years to reach 20 inches.
How big is a 20 inch smallmouth bass? ›| 12 in | 0.92 pounds |
|---|---|
| 18 in | 3.36 pounds |
| 19 in | 3.99 pounds |
| 20 in | 4.70 pounds |
| 21 in | 5.50 pounds |
| Length | Smallmouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Weight | |
| 19.5 | 3 lb. 9 oz. | 2 lb. 11 oz. |
| 20 | 3 lb. 14 oz. | 2 lb. 14 oz. |
| 20.5 | 4 lb. 3 oz. | 3 lb. 2 oz. |
The Legendary Smallmouth Bass is one of the easiest to get to. It's in lake Owanjila just to the west of Strawberry. Use the Special Lake Lure to catch it.
What state has the best smallmouth fishing? ›
Minnesota has world-class smallmouth fishing in the Mississippi River, Mille Lacs, the St. Croix River, and several other waters. A 4 pounder lifts—no eyebrows here, and catching multiple 5-pound bronzebacks in a day is common for good anglers. Smallies over 7 pounds are caught every yearsometimes an 8.
How old is a 10 inch smallmouth bass? ›How Fast Do Smallmouth Bass Grow? The smallmouth bass is a relatively slow-growing fish, as it can take 3 to 5 years for it to reach a size of 10 to 15 inches.
What is the lifespan of a smallmouth bass? ›Smallmouth bass now rank among the top 15 most preferred species. Life Span – Smallmouth live on average 6 – 14 years. Some specimens have been determined to be 20 years old.
What's the average lifespan of a smallmouth bass? ›Smallmouth bass mature at age three or four, and occasionally live to be 10 to 12 years old. The usual smallmouth seen by anglers is eight to 15 inches long and weighs less than three pounds, but they are capable of reaching upwards of five to six pounds in waters with adequate food and habitat.
How old is a 7 lb bass? ›We have seen bass that were 7 pounds at age two and 14 pounds at age 6 ½.
How old is a 12 inch smallmouth bass? ›Age and Size
It takes usually about 6 years for a bass to reach 30 cm (12”). Typical Ontario smallmouths are under three pounds and usually between 20-40 cm (8-15”), however, many trophy fish between 5 – 7 pounds are caught annually.
Weight of Actual Fish: 6 – 7 lbs. Your Smallmouth Bass Mount will be a timeless personal reminder; a testimonial to friends and family of your Moment of Victory. KSM artists are masters of fine detail.
How deep do smallmouth go in the summer? ›The 12- to 25-foot depths are a good bet for finding summer smallies, especially during the changing light of the afternoon hours, under intermittent clouds, on rainy days, and especially as a front approaches.
What are smallmouth bass nicknames? ›The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) goes by many nicknames—smallie, bronzeback, brownie, and brown bass, to name a few—which is a sign of its popularity in different parts of the country. It's the most trout–like bass, in that it often lives in clean, cold rivers and feeds on insects, baitfish, and crayfish.
How big is a trophy smallmouth? ›| Species | Weight | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 5 lbs. | 20 “ |
| Striped Bass | 20 lbs. | 37 “ |
| Sunfish (other) | 1 lb. | 10 “ |
| Walleye | 5 lbs. | 25 “ |
How heavy is a 17 inch bass? ›
Find 18 inches in the first column, then move across the table to the 1/4-inch column. Read the estimated weight of 3.46 pounds (3 pounds, 7.4 ounces).
What is the biggest bass ever caught? ›The world record bass was 22 pounds and 4 ounces. That world record has held up for 8 decades! Some people were skeptical of this world record because no pictures had been found, but in 2006 relatives of George Perry produced pictures of the world record fish.
How big is a 19 inch smallmouth? ›| Length in inches | Weight in pounds |
|---|---|
| 18 | 3.64 |
| 18.5 | 3.95 |
| 19 | 4.28 |
| 19.5 | 4.63 |
David Hayes' celebrated 5.41 kg (11 pounds, 15 ounces) All-Tackle world record smallmouth bass has seen its share of controversy over the years.
How do you catch a giant smallmouth bass? ›Jerkbaits such as the Husky Jerk and the Ripstop are a great option for this, especially when the bass are feeding in less than 10 feet of water. The lures can be worked slowly and thoroughly around feeding schools of smallmouth and can really lay into the larger and chunkier fish who are in search of any easy target.
What is the best time to catch smallmouth bass? ›Fall is one of the best times to fish for smallmouth bass. The fish are close to shallow rock reefs in 10 to 15 feet of water. Crankbaits are still the preferred lure, but they must be deep-diving models.
What is the bass capital of the World? ›Lake Okeechobee is nicknamed “The Bass Capital of The World” for good reason, there is no other lake that holds as many fish over 5 lbs as Lake Okeechobee does.
What is the #1 bass fishing lake in America? ›1: Lake Guntersville, Alabama
Lake Guntersville is a 69,000 acre lake in north Alabama and is well known as one of the country's top bass fishing lakes. Late winter through early spring can be a great time for bass fishing but the lake can also offer some great year round fishing opportunities.
Many people who dislike the taste of largemouth bass prefer smallmouth. It is a more delicate fish with a cleaner and sweeter taste. It is less fishy than largemouth. Smallmouth bath has a firm texture and white meat.
How big can a smallmouth bass get? ›
Adult smallmouth bass can grow up to 26 inches long, but most are 8 to 22 inches. Their elongate body is pale brown or olive green, while their belly is yellow-white in color.
How heavy is a 25 inch smallmouth bass? ›Smallmouth bass mature at age three or four, and occasionally live to be 10 to 12 years old. The usual smallmouth seen by anglers is eight to 15 inches long and weighs less than three pounds, but they are capable of reaching upwards of five to six pounds in waters with adequate food and habitat.
How old is a 3 pound smallmouth? ›Darryl determined that the quality 3½ pound plus smallmouth bass in this lake are 15 to 18 years old.
How old is a 7lb bass? ›We have seen bass that were 7 pounds at age two and 14 pounds at age 6 ½. Three to four pounds in one year is max.
How old is a 6 pound smallmouth? ›In ideal conditions, a smallie can reach 6 pounds in six years. But in colder, far northern waters or cool, spring-fed habitats these fish may require 10 to 13 yrs to reach 4 - 5 pounds. Smallie males and females grow at about the same rate throughout their life span.
How fast can a smallmouth bass swim? ›They can swim about 12 mph with burst speed to 20 mph. Bass rely on quick turns, not sustained forward speed to catch bait fish.