David Hayes caught the World Record smallmouth bass in 1955 on Dale Hollow Lake.

Some believe the next World Record will be found on the Tennessee River:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

Almost exactly four years ago, November 2004, my fishing partner and best friend,

Speedy Madewell, boated a 10 lb beauty. I netted the fish and weighed it, he released

the monster! Since that time we have had some luck with other big bass, including the

bronzebacks in my avatar (January, 2005).

Last Saturday Speedy and I fished the river with limited success: an assortment of species

including largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky bass, striper, cats and drum. We may have

caught forty fish or so, but no size and most importantly, no browns of note. Around 11:00

things changed.

With poor results off either bank and limited water release by the TVA, we moved to the

"middle of the river". Actually, we decided to fish along the river channel, defined by

navigational buoys. The drop is well defined, but relatively small, only 3-5' in 15-25' water.

Still,this represents significant structure for fish in open water.

After landing a few nondescript fish, I got a nice strike drifting along the ridge.

I set the hook hard and didn't budge the fish. However, there was very little fight

and I saw another drum in my future. After 10-15 yards of retrieve, the drum dove

and turned into a big catfish, just digging to the bottom, but no run. As I brought the

fish closer to the boat, Speedy asked, "Gonna need the net?" Without any emotion

I replied, "Yeah, it's big and ugly."

Speedy runs the trolling motor on the forward platform of a BayRanger 2180,

center console. So, with the net on the floor opposite me, it takes

a minute to get set up. With little current, we let the boat drift.

This time of year the water clarity on the Tennessee is about 3, maybe 4 feet.

As my partner came over to my side he asked, "What's ya got?" I replied, in a

steady voice and without inflection, "The biggest flipping smallmouth I have ever seen."

The fish appeared to be a Trident submarine as it rose toward the surface so both of

us could get a good look at her, but then she bolted. She initially ran about 15 yards

forward, then after a 90 degree turn, another 20 yards toward the middle of the river.

My situation was precarious. I'm in the middle of the boat and have to hustle to get to

the front, around and over the trolling motor while at the same time maintaining rod

position with a sizzling drag. I was starting to have some fun!

The pig came up, but did not jump. I got her turned around, but she had already decided

she didn't like the Ranger. When she was halfway back, she bolted again, but this time

dove deep. It took a few minutes to get her a little closer.

Most smallmouth, especially biggun's, tend to fight the best on the first run after a close

encounter with the boat, but even later, they never give up. This fine lady staged at rod

length, tugged mightily and would not come up. I asked my buddy what he thought

I should do? He responded, "Doesn't matter. That fish ain't ready and she's going

to do anything she wants!"

Well, I've caught a few big fish and I was in no hurry. My rod appeared parabolic with the line

straight down into the river. I said to my friend, "This is when you have to believe in your equipment."

And then.......the line snapped.

stupid, Stupid, STUPID!

We weren't catching anything interesting, so although I noticed a burr on my line before

the last cast, I didn't do what I always preach: "If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough."

When there is any doubt, retie your line, leader or hook.

So, could that smallmouth have been the New World Record? I don't know, but it wasn't boated,

so it doesn't count. You might ask, "Really now, how much do you think she weighed?"

I don't know the answer to that either, but what I can tell you is, she was...

HUGE!

:

Dang it.  I'm sorry man.  We've all been there on the retie thing.

That's one of the most depressing stories I have ever heard.

Great story.  You got closer than all the rest of us. Don't be too bummed about it. You know where the fish is now.

Dang it, RW!!  What a killer!!  Arrgghhh!!!  

As a side note, before you make any adjustments, weight you drag for me.  Your rod shouldn't have gone completely "parabolic" on you.  I wonder if you might have accidentally knocked it up a little.  ?

One of these days!!!  

Jeez, that stinks. I've never hooked a bass big enough that I couldn't move her, so it sounds like that one was enormous.

Nope, the drag was fine. Parabolic might be a bit

of a stretch. Let's just say it was "loaded". The drag

was releasing smoothly, but firmly when the line broke.

I usually fish Yo-Zuri #6 (11.9 lb test), but Saturday I

was fishing #4 (8.5 lb test) and as I admitted, I fished

it with a burr. All me, not the gear. However, I will NOT

be fishing #4 again on the Tennessee River.

>

Man......I'm speechless!

Kinda makes you want to punch yourself in the head over and over again huh?

Keep at it!

Wow, what a story, Kent.  That gave me a sick feeling deep in my stomach.  You're one of the few people on here in an area that could possibly land a world record.  We're depending on you to nail that smallmouth record.  Old Mr. Murphy always makes sure that the one time you don't cut off the bad line that's when the fish of a lifetime strikes.  Man, you had to feel sick after that.  I think it would be so cool if you would break the record.  That record has stood for quite some time.

It would be a double edged sword if RW broke the smallmouth record.  On one hand it couldn't happen to more of a first class guy.  On the other hand it would be unbearable to listen to the non-stop barrage of RW telling us that he was right about Shimano, St. Croix, Yo-Zuri, any Yamamato and knockoffs.

Hmmm . . . . now that I think about it, I wonder if the Yo Zuri just didn't hold up.  In order to save face, RW couldn't blame the line that he has championed so he blames himself.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  

Nope, the drag was fine. Parabolic might be a bit

of a stretch. Let's just say it was "loaded". The drag

was releasing smoothly, but firmly when the line broke.

I usually fish Yo-Zuri #6 (11.9 lb test), but Saturday I

was fishing #4 (8.5 lb test) and as I admitted, I fished

it with a burr. All me, not the gear. However, I will NOT

be fishing #4 again on the Tennessee River.

>

Gotcha.  I know you are normally pretty anal about drag settings... which is why I though maybe is accidentally got changed.  

The good news is that even with poor conditions, you found a big fish, that should be encouraging.

Tuff luck RW.

Tough Luck!  Now go back and get her this time :

So what did she hit???

what a sad story, but the fight must have got your heart thumping. Happened to me once had a big smallmouth on and as soon as it dove under the boat my line snapped. Its very upsetting but its part of fishing.

The silver lining in this cloud is you now know where a trophy lives.

Truly large fish are creatures of habit. It will be back there.

Go get it.

I know you are normally pretty anal about drag settings...

Yep.

I'll have to eat a little crow, but no one should ever be broken off by a fish in open water.  If I fished more grass or timber, braid or higher test copolymer would be mandatory. However, unless you are wrapped in a tree, cut on a rock or on someone else's line, breaking off is totally inexcusable.

:

yo zuri

So what did she hit???

With 4lb? I would guess shiners.

Uggghhh...oh man...so sorry to hear...

With a lesser fish, that would have been a lesser mistake. Such events are not predictable.

Reminds me, the 8lb fluoro on my jerkbait rod is frayed about 20 feet in. I'm going to the garage RIGHT now to take care of it.

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear the story. Too depressing.

Kent, great story and understand your disappointment but just think, you witnessed an awesome moment that all fishermen dream about.....The opportunity to challenge and do battle with a possible world record. There are but a few folks "in this world" that might have such an opportunity, so chin up and keep the faith. After all the fish is still there and you most probably have a GPS mark on her.....Sounds like a rematch to me

Big O

Sorry about the outcome.Stories like that really turn my stomach,I was really hoping to scroll down a little farther and maybe, just maybe see a world record!

When you get her ,,,you will post a pic here before the local press right??? ;D

Kent,

Think of it this way - you were hallucinating and it was really a catfish, cuz I know you just don't miss any bass. That's what I tell myself anyway.