Who would have figured that Indiana had that size smallie swimming around. 

 

https://www.ohiogamefishing.com/threads/possible-new-state-record-smallmouth-caught-in-indiana.397297/

👀 

That's a giant smallie.

I really need to go fishing.

Congrats to that guy.

A-Jay

 

Wow. Every bit of that bass is big: big belly, big tail, big head.

Not terribly surprising to me. It was caught from the largest reservoir in the state that is in the southern half (longer growing season), has high productivity (fertile), only moderate largemouth bass population, plenty of pelagic forage (shad), minimal submerged weed growth and a minimal abundance of smallies (minimal competition) that usually only show themselves for a month or so in spring. You typically see a smallie or two every year caught from there that go 3-5 pounds. It also has a very small spotted bass population. I could see that state record being broken from there, also, in the future. It is now nearly 60 years old, so there has been plenty of time to wash away the dirt that covered all the limestone and clay that primarily makes up the geography of the area, creating small portions of the lower lake that are more suitable for smallmouth.

 

There are two other waters that could eventually produce another smallie of that size down the road - Patoka Res. which is the second largest reservoir in the state, same basic characteristics, but a slightly more abundant smallie population and a little better overall habitat (cleaner with more rock and clay). There is also the IN portion of Lake Michigan which gives up some nice smallmouth every year, but doesn't get near the pressure of most lakes or other sections of the Great Lakes due to its location.

Scroll down for the 2nd pic...... absolute tank.

7 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Not terribly surprising to me. It was caught from the largest reservoir in the state that is in the southern half (longer growing season), has high productivity (fertile), only moderate largemouth bass population, plenty of pelagic forage (shad), minimal submerged weed growth and a minimal abundance of smallies (minimal competition) that usually only show themselves for a month or so in spring. You typically see a smallie or two every year caught from there that go 3-5 pounds. It also has a very small spotted bass population. I could see that state record being broken from there, also, in the future. It is now nearly 60 years old, so there has been plenty of time to wash away the dirt that covered all the limestone and clay that primarily makes up the geography of the area, creating small portions of the lower lake that are more suitable for smallmouth.

 

There are two other waters that could eventually produce another smallie of that size down the road - Patoka Res. which is the second largest reservoir in the state, same basic characteristics, but a slightly more abundant smallie population and a little better overall habitat (cleaner with more rock and clay). There is also the IN portion of Lake Michigan which gives up some nice smallmouth every year, but doesn't get near the pressure of most lakes or other sections of the Great Lakes due to its location.

 you almost sound like you’re saying habitat is the limiting factor in growing large bass……..

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

 you almost sound like you’re saying habitat is the limiting factor in growing large bass……..

There are 4 primary factors for growing big fish and habitat is definitely ONE of the four. 

Anglers seem to forget that to outgrow it’s year class a record size bass must survive being a small aggressive bass competing for prey without becoming prey.

Habitat to me covers the entire ecosystem where the bass lives. Abundant prey source, water purity to support both predators and pry and water temperatures, consistent lake pool to support both prey and bass recruitment survival. 

Congratulations catching Smallmouth Bass of a life time.

Tom 

^that pretty much covers it! Birds and fish and otters are better at catching them than I am, and they don’t obey creel and slot limits 

On 3/6/2024 at 3:03 PM, Team9nine said:

There are two other waters that could eventually produce another smallie of that size down the road - Patoka Res. which is the second largest reservoir in the state, same basic characteristics, but a slightly more abundant smallie population and a little better overall habitat (cleaner with more rock and clay). There is also the IN portion of Lake Michigan which gives up some nice smallmouth every year, but doesn't get near the pressure of most lakes or other sections of the Great Lakes due to its location.

 

If I really wanted a state record smallie in Indiana, I'd never leave Lake Michigan.  I have no proof, but willing to bet there are multiple records swimming around the Indiana shoals the next 8 weeks.  Probably a few walleye too.  The gobies have changed everything.

 

scott

 

PS - The IL record is probably even easier to break and probably has been numerous times without certification

 

That’s a beaut Clark!

Guess I’m gonna have to spend a little bit more time there, although I do prefer Potaka.

On 3/6/2024 at 1:12 PM, A-Jay said:

I really need to go fishing.

Cape Cod is wide open and water temps are creeping into the mid 40's as I type ... I have plenty of room for your on my Ranger.

 

I can't guarantee a 8# smallie, but 4's and maybe a 5 are doable.