Tournament angler Troy Diede of Sioux Falls, S.D. has officially caught the largest smallmouth bass in South Dakota history. His July catch from Lake Oahe has just been approved by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks as an official state record. The monster fish measured 20 3/4 inches and weighed 7 pounds, 4.7 ounces.

 

FOOTBALL!!!?

I saw this online the other day too.  Smallmouth bass are a very under-utilized game fish in the Dakotas.  95% of the anglers are chasing walleyes/saugers.

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I saw this online the other day too.  Smallmouth bass are a very under-utilized game fish in the Dakotas.  95% of the anglers are chasing walleyes/saugers.

Shh..... lol

Even a little more amazing that he caught it in July - when it wasn't full of spawn, or loading up on food in the Fall - and also caught in a river system where fish tend to be a bit skinnier. I've caught several 21 inch smallmouth but none over 6 lbs. He caught a tank! 

12 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Even a little more amazing that he caught it in July - when it wasn't full of spawn, or loading up on food in the Fall - and also caught in a river system where fish tend to be a bit skinnier. I've caught several 21 inch smallmouth but none over 6 lbs. He caught a tank! 

I've caught 21 inch smallies at Dale Hollow that would just barley tip 5lbs...in the spring!!

22 hours ago, Ski said:

Tournament angler Troy Diede of Sioux Falls, S.D. has officially caught the largest smallmouth bass in South Dakota history. His July catch from Lake Oahe has just been approved by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks as an official state record. The monster fish measured 20 3/4 inches and weighed 7 pounds, 4.7 ounces.

 

 

 

Outstanding accomplishment for any angler. Every time I see this picture it reminds me of an old PB picture of mine. The body shape of both fish are highly similar although the weight is off by 7 ounces. 

 

 

It's amazing how usually the fattest smallmouth are shorter in length. 

 

I've caught a 23" smallmouth during post spawn that only went 3.6lb. Meanwhile, a friend last spring caught one on Erie that was 7-4 that was 19.75". 

 

Edit - found another picture of Troy's fish. 

 

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

Even a little more amazing that he caught it in July - when it wasn't full of spawn, or loading up on food in the Fall - and also caught in a river system where fish tend to be a bit skinnier. I've caught several 21 inch smallmouth but none over 6 lbs. He caught a tank! 

I was thinking the same thing, I catch 21” smallies a few times a year and they are more like 4.5 lbs. That SD fish is fat as a hog, ours are long and lean 

Crazy weight for that length. 20" here usually puts them around 4lbs.

Buddy of mine of 20 years has been friends with Troy since they were teenagers.

57 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Crazy weight for that length. 20" here usually puts them around 4lbs.

I think it ate a couple 1 lb smallies! 

10 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

Buddy of mine of 20 years has been friends with Troy since they were teenagers.

Well that’s cool!

if it wasn't verified, i would bet that fish was full of sinkers ?