Although smallmouth bass gained their popularity in North America, their reach is not limited to the US and Canada alone. On June 8, 2013, Japanese angler Ichiro Nagai, M.D. Unexpectedly, I spotted a smudge below the surface very close to the boat that looked like a large smallie. While I had originally thought the spring pre-spawn was my only window of opportunity, I was delighted to learn that I could target World Record-class smallmouth bass almost year-round using one of the most fun presentations and styles in fly fishing. 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 Next World Record Smallmouth Bass By Kent Smith / December 31, 2006 Dale Hollow has produced the two largest smallmouth bass ever recorded (11 pounds 15 ounces & 10 pounds 14 ounces). But is this really the largest smallmouth bass ever caught? 12-Pound Line: Terry Dodson -- 9 pounds, 6 ounces. Not long after the plastic grub he was casting hit the water, Beal came tight on the trophy smallmouth. Angry that he was left cleaning up after everyone, Beal decided to "cool-down" by going fishing with his dad. The fish didn't put up quite the struggle I expected and I landed her quickly. But that doesn't mean the catch wasn't controversial. In fact, line or tippet that over-tests is the number one reason for rejection of IGFA World Record applications. Would it strike the fly? So, with these bits of knowledge in mind, I assembled a new game plan that began with me tying up my own version of a gurgler-style fly often used for mousing up big brown trout on the streams with my 5-weight. Today, his 11-pound, 15-ounce smallmouth is not only the biggest anyone has ever seen, it's also the undisputed world record. If the bass' girth measurement is reduced by three inches — more than enough to compensate for any foul play, the formula would still indicate a weight of 11.34 pounds (11-5). Controversy swirls around this fish that stood as the world record for more than 40 years and now splits the record keeping authorities squarely down the middle. 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. Under this equation, the Hayes smallmouth weighs 13.16 pounds (13-3). Both of these fish were sight fished in the shallows during the hottest times of the year and both ate the gurgler fly delivered on my lightweight 5-weight rod. After being introduced in locations around the world, several international locations are producing world-class sized smallmouth. 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. Herrick was fishing Minnesota's Basswood Lake on August 30, 1997 when he caught his record smallmouth. Stuck inside? World Record Smallmouth Bass; Weight: 11 pounds, 15 ounces. It was a strange day. At 11 lbs 15 oz, it’s unlikely that anyone will be surpassing that record in the near future. That makes this reservoir the odds on favorite for a new record, but there are other contenders in the region that have produced fish over 10 pounds. Subscriber Services. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. 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. Immediately following post-spawn on the Great Lakes Basin, we enjoy a wonderful phenomenon called the Hex hatch. On my first attempt, I caught two quality fish that barely missed the mark. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. It's easier than you think — and will put more big bass in your boat. 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. 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. Over sixty years later, Hayes’ catch not only holds up as the Kentucky state record, but also as the all-tackle world record. 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. 16-Pound Line: Terrell D. Nail -- 8 Pounds, 6 ounces. I flipped my baitfish-pattern fly over with only a back-cast and it landed spot on. Careers I’m happy to have accomplished and exceeded my goal, but I take equal satisfaction in knowing that this pursuit allowed me to further grow as an angler. It was the right fish, but the wrong line. Most fishing rods feature both an action and a power rating, but what do those ratings mean and how do you use them to select the right rod for different scenarios? Needless to say, I was frustrated, but my mind was still churning on how I could still reach my goal. 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