Your opinion on a State Record LM or SM

[Mike Daleo]

I am not a record chaser, if I was that would make me a huge failure. But given the fact that both the IN and KY state record Largemouths were caught from farm ponds, I was wondering what you guys thought about if and when a new record may be caught. We had this discussion last year and some interesting ideas were brought out.

I am also wondering what you think about a record smallmouth and where the probable location mioght be for that pig. I am a little more interested in that since some farmer can't just grow him on private property very easily.

[Daniel]

Mike, the state record smallie will come on my 1/16oz jig this winter. Duck feather


State record smallie has to come from Dale and I'd say it's a possibility in the next 10 years if they keep the slot.

[Mike Daleo]

Daniel, I think it is swimming in Dale right now. I think it is a very smart and paranoid fish.

[CincyBas]

The smallie record probably Dale Hollow.

I agree the slot limit imposed has increased the number of 16"-21" ers' we catch drastically.

I can remember for years just trying to get an 18" keeper out of there was a tough task.

[Daniel]

Mike, i meant it's going to take 10 years for someone to catch it!

[tunderwood01]

I have heard that some record SM have been shocked up in KY Lake. I personally have seen 2 over 7#. I think KY Lake has a chance. As well as Dale.

[Mike Daleo]

Troy, I read somwhere that smallmouth love to eat drum in the 6 inch size up to whatever they can fit in there mouths. If this is the case, Ky Lake is like a buffet for big smallmouths

[Daniel]

Mike, I'd say a nice juicy shiner will be the ticket. On the end of 4lb fluorocarbon

[Mike Daleo]

I'd like to think that a shiner will do it, but I've been dragging shiners with Doc and Rippinlip for miles and while we got lots of nice 3-4 pound fish, we never hooked the monster. I did have one straighten my hook because of my lack of skills, but nothing other than that. It's just a matter of time though.

We should do some draggin this year daniel.

[CincyBas]

I know a guy who was night fishing last week around the full moon on Dale. They were using Hopkin Spoons targetting walleye.

ssshhhh they got several 21"-22" smallies not to mention some that were smaller.

[Daniel]

I'm game mike! We can drag and I can toss a fnf too!

[EdDavisKY]

Dale Hallow, Lake Cumberland, Laurel River, or Ky. Lake is probably where the next record SM will come from. Altho I did catch a 6# at Green River.
Live bait will probably be what it is caught on if caught during the day.
And as far as a Record LM will let you know how long it takes sence my pond is now full and will be putting fish in this fall

[Dave Stewart]

Ky Lake...I have already had her on once this year....next time she will be mine if I can ever get her to bite again.

As far as LM...ain't gonna be broke in Indiana...the present record is the largest northern strain LM ever caught and odds of it being broken are slim....the Ky LM record: look for another one from Woods Creek or Ky/Barkley.

[Roddy]

Now that we have grass again, I'd say the big smallmouth will come from KY lake. If you ever get the chance to, take a ride in a TVA or KY fish and wildlife shock boat. I used to get to ride in it one day every spring and was amazed at the numbers and size of the fish that were shocked up. If they shock where you were just fishing, you'll see just how inefficient at catching them we are.

The Largemouth will come from a pond, a watershed lake or Woods creek. My personal best was 27" long from a pond in western KY, no scales handy.

[tunderwood01]

You still get to ride with them?

If so how can I get hooked up?

[Passion 4 Bassin]

I know the lady who caught the record in Indiana. It was a fluke, but the lake that it was caught in is a private lake, fairly large and is KNOWN for lots and big bass....at least by Indiana standards! I tend to agree with Dave Stewart the Indiana record is in NO danger!

[Roddy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tunderwood01 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You still get to ride with them?

If so how can I get hooked up?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I haven't ridden with them in a few years, I try to find out.

[uk2thdoc]

I think there is no doubt that the next KY record smallie will come from Dale. I've seen some abolute brutes down there but I've never managed to hook one of the real giants in that lake. Maybe this winter will be my time???

As far as the LM. Hibbard is probably right about the IN record, but I think the KY record could be broken. Most likely it will come from a farm pond. I think there is just to much pressure on our lakes to produce a fish of that caliber and give it the time to grow to the necessary size. I would regard KY Lake as the best public lake so far as potential to produce one of these fish and it produces legit 8-9 lbers every spring. However, I've heard about all kinds of 10 lbers people have caught there, but never actually seen a picture of one in real life. You would think if that many of them are being caught it would make the news or that there would be a few photos circulating around.

Doc

[Mike Daleo]

Good point about the pics Doc. You would think that as proud as someone would be of a ten pounder that you'd see a pic eventually.

[Roddy]

I've personally seen 3, 10 lbers from KY lake, but haven't seen one or heard of one in a few years. My neighbor caught a 10lb 12 oz several years ago that was 22 1/2 inches long and 23" around. I got to hold her. I know of more than one person that thinks they have had the state record smallmouth on in ky Lake.