The IL state record smallie weight of 6lbs 7oz has been broken with an 8lb 9oz bronzeback caught on Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. The dnr has not released info to the public yet.

 

I know a taxidermist who knows a taxidermist who was asked to do a replica mount and has been in contact with the IL dnr. Stay tuned......

It's about time that record was moved up for a Great Lakes smallie.

Boy that's a big fish, I never caught too many smallies in my life, but that species intrigues me.

I'd think there are not many molds of an 8 pound 9 ounce smallmouth to make a replica mount from. 

I hope we get to hear the story and more importantly, see a couple of good pictures of The Beast.

 

A-Jay

Man I can't wait to catch on that big!

8+ lb Smallie. Speechless. Wow!

Seems there is some conflicting information if it has been certified yet. My taxidermist buddy got a pic today but has promised not to share it just yet. Supposedly 23" long with a 22" girth.

Seems there is some conflicting information if it has been certified yet. My taxidermist buddy got a pic today but has promised not to share it just yet. Supposedly 23" long with a 22" girth.

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23x22 could easily weigh 8.5 to 9.5 lbs

Wow! A real football-almost a soccer ball!!

Here's the story http://www.suntimes.com/sports/outdoors/28684551-452/heres-a-fish-story-for-you.html#.U8aF_bGa9T8

Doesn't look 8-9 to me

Doesn't look 8-9 to me

 

Not to me either - shame really.

 

It's certainly a nice smallie but the photo doesn't replicate a 8 1/2 plus pound fish . . . . . .

 

Additionally, the story, the way the girth was "measured", the discarding of the fish, it just makes me shake my head while making the "I think I just stepped in something" face.

 

 

A-Jay

    my reaction to that story. 

 

I agree...the picture or the way he's holding it certainly doesn't help his claim, unless he's a shaved up Squatch.

Must have swollen knuckes..

Oh well. That photo doesn't show 22" girth. The biggest girth I have measured was 17.5" for a smallie.

A bigger pic

I pulled that pic off the taxidermy site. Is it me or does the fish and hands look photoshopped?

One reason the fish doesn't look as big is because he isn't pushing it at the camera to make it look big. Does not look Photoshopped to me.

One reason the fish doesn't look as big is because he isn't pushing it at the camera to make it look big. Does not look Photoshopped to me.

My taxidermist buddy just got back to me. He does not believe it's photoshopped either.

Oh well. That photo doesn't show 22" girth. The biggest girth I have measured was 17.5" for a smallie.

 

I can't help but agree.

 

Roger

The fish in Dwight's avatar looks bigger than the pic. No way is the length and girth almost equal as far as I can see. Still a heck of a nice fish.

To me the photo cannot be any more or any less conclusive than the 'facts' set out in the claimants and witnesses stories.

Photos can be deceiving without being photo shopped to be sure.

In any event, it does not appear it will or should meet the technical qualifications for entry into the state record book.

Do I believe the fisherman's story? I suppose I do at this point.

Why would anyone immediately infer he was a liar under these circumstances if they had no evidence that he was lying?

I suppose a cynic or one who was jealous might do so.

Dude could be 6'5 with 73 inch wing span not everyone can be as photogenic as Dwight lol

It looks photo shopped to me.  The camo patterns are different.  On his right arm, left in the photo, is the most popular mossy oak pattern.  On his left forearm, right in the photo, it is one of mossy oaks first patterns.  Mossy oak tree bark.  Two completely different patterns.