On March 12, 2003, Donald Eaton, Jr. caught an 8-pound one-ounce smallmouth on the New River to set the Virginia state record.

Yesterday, March 13, one of my clients in the Bristol, Virginia area told me that he heard another person caught an 8-pound smallmouth on Claytor Lake.

I have no idea if this is true so if any of you southwestern Virginia guys hear about it please let me know by PM.

Thanks.  

I haven't heard about a 8lb. smallmouth on Claytor. There was that 8lb. caught on South Holston about 2 hours west of Claytor on Monday. I fish it practically every week. I'll stop in a few marinas on Wednesday and see if anyone know anything.

I haven't heard about a 8lb. smallmouth on Claytor. There was that 8lb. caught on South Holston about 2 hours west of Claytor on Monday. I fish it practically every week. I'll stop in a few marinas on Wednesday and see if anyone know anything.

We fish similar places I think it was on the Tennessee side though. I saw a picture of it; looked every bit of 8 and had a really nice color.

** Modified : **

Just looked and saw that there is currently a thread with that fish by rickterry.

My boss has a place on Claytor.  I'll ask him Monday if he heard anything.  I think he's down there this weekend anyway.

I don't know anything about Virginia, but thats a big smallie!  

I talked to a friend of mine Friday who is a park ranger at Claytor.  He didn't mention anything about a record bass caught recently.  Not saying it wasn't possible though.