In a great day, I'll catch five smallmouth bass 19" or bigger, most being at 19" or 19.5", so when I catch anything 20" or bigger, it's a big deal. Anyway, I was looking for an example of a bad fish shot and I came across this photo. There's something in the foreground, plus my "great idea" of taping a measuring tape to the bottom of my canoe makes for lousy shots, with all the crap that accumulates in the bottom of a canoe. I figured this fish was one of my 19"ers, but it's over 20" and I'm wondering if I'd pinched the tail like the DNR says we can when measuring, would it reach 21"? 

Pinching the tail and closing the mouth is how your suppose to measure fish

That's what I read, Dink, but when you do pinch the tail, how much length does it add? Those are huge bass in your photo. Wowza! 

I would say pinching the tail on that one and closing the mouth you would be at 21" maybe a hair over, but just my opinion!  Either way still a beautiful fish!

But how much does it weigh! 

 

Seriously, nice fish!