Went out yesterday on the Susquehanna River with Jason Shay from Ken Penrod's guide service.  I "re-started" fishing again last year, fishing the Potomac River and some on the Little Patuxent.  Caught a bunch of fish but nothing over 16 inches.  This would be my first time on the Susquehanna.

My friend Kirk, who hadn't fished much in 20 years, joined me.  The weather was calling for rain, but luckily it stayed away for the most part.  Jason got us in some good spots and between the three of us, we got over 40+ fish.  For awhile there, we got NOTHING under 14 inches.

Kirk got a nice one around 18 inches, then I got one around 18 awhile later.  And then I landed this one that measured right at 20!

Jason said while a 20-inch fish isn't uncommon, there have been people who have fished multiple times with Penrod's guides on the Susquehanna and not gotten one.

Above is an average size smallmouth for the day with one of my old Mitchell reels.  This one is from 1959 and had a workout in 2016!

We mainly used Rapala Shadow Raps and X-raps but got a few on tubes.

Such a great day fishing!

Pat

Glad you got back on the water with an old friend and had a successful trip.

R/ Chris

Awesome man! You told me the other day at work u were looking for that 20incher! Got em!

Nice river fish.

Good trip!

Congrats!  Sounds like an amazing day on the river shared with a friend on the kind of trip that can get you both hooked on fishing again.  Great fish!

man i wish i could find a 20" smallie in these parts!  nice fish!