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8 lb. Winter Smallmouth Bass

Thought I would share a photo of new personal best-this 8 lb 5 ounce (23.5 inches long and 18 inch girth) Columbia River smallie that I caught last weekend from the dark, 40 degree depths of the Columbia River. I caught this fish drop shotting a custom-poured worm on 6 lb. Toray fluoro, with a #4 Gamakatsu hook, 1/2 ounce QuickDrops weight, and the Dobyns 702 DX. To put it in perspective, I am a 5'10", 198 lb. man holding a fish that is approximately 1/3 my height. This fish was 1 inch longer, and 1 inch wider girth than the 7 lb. 15 oz summer fish in my other picture. The photos were taken by Jeremy Percifield (sorry if I mispelled) and Trevis George.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lloyd on March 11, 2010 at 10:42am

Yeah..some of the cork even wore off the rod. How long did you fight her?

John G said:

Nice that must have been one hell of a ride on that light rig.

Permalink Reply by Graham Dahl on March 11, 2010 at 11:42am

Congratulations...only a few ounces off the state record no less!!

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on March 11, 2010 at 11:53am

Awesome fish! Not long till that state record goes down on the RIVER!

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on March 11, 2010 at 12:21pm

Wow that is awesome.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on March 11, 2010 at 1:30pm

Ya think? Its always possible but the state record has stood for 45 years, and would take a fish 8 oz's larger than Mike's to break the record.

While I don't know how accurate Ray Wonacutt's scale was in 1966, I know that it may take a while longer before a fish pushing 9lbs gets kicked out of the system.

Its a small miracle just hooking a fish that large.....then comes the other part....landing it.

Great job Mike! You have me chomping to get out there and grind it out in the depths.

Joel Alinen said:

Awesome fish! Not long till that state record goes down on the RIVER!

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on March 11, 2010 at 2:10pm

I do...I've heard they have shocked some mosters on the river and around the snake, yak, ect

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

Ya think? Its always possible but the state record has stood for 45 years, and would take a fish 8 oz's larger than Mike's to break the record.

While I don't know how accurate Ray Wonacutt's scale was in 1966, I know that it may take a while longer before a fish pushing 9lbs gets kicked out of the system.

Its a small miracle just hooking a fish that large.....then comes the other part....landing it.

Great job Mike! You have me chomping to get out there and grind it out in the depths.

Joel Alinen said:
Awesome fish! Not long till that state record goes down on the RIVER!

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on March 11, 2010 at 2:23pm

I agree Joel...I think the next record is undeniably out there.....I do think that shocking the state record is a bit easier than catching it! Know what I mean!

Joel Alinen said:

I do...I've heard they have shocked some mosters on the river and around the snake, yak, ect

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:
Ya think? Its always possible but the state record has stood for 45 years, and would take a fish 8 oz's larger than Mike's to break the record.

While I don't know how accurate Ray Wonacutt's scale was in 1966, I know that it may take a while longer before a fish pushing 9lbs gets kicked out of the system.

Its a small miracle just hooking a fish that large.....then comes the other part....landing it.

Great job Mike! You have me chomping to get out there and grind it out in the depths.

Joel Alinen said:
Awesome fish! Not long till that state record goes down on the RIVER!

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on March 11, 2010 at 2:55pm

What is the state record smallie?

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on March 11, 2010 at 2:57pm

8lb 12 oz. 1966 Ray Wonacutt. Hanford Reach.

Spencer Durand said:

What is the state record smallie?

Permalink Reply by S Hwang on March 11, 2010 at 3:28pm

ifish is seriously the worst fishing board in all of the internets.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Grimes on March 11, 2010 at 3:33pm

Nice one Mike......I went for 3 hours today and caught 12 total....3 over 5 lbs rest were 3 to 5 lbs.

My goal is over 7.....I have 7 fish over 6lbs....but havent hit 7 lbs yet.

JEff

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