Big beautiful smallie!

[CJW]

Went fishing instead of hunting. Hooked him about 3/8" in front of his left eye and took quite a while to get him in because of it mixed with the river current. I took a shot that they were still hitting top water and it paid off.

Photos don't do him justice but he went 21"-22" with my patented lay it against the fishing rod and measure later because you forgot a tape technique.

 

[steve white]

Nice one! I think they are great eating, too.

 

[gillettehunter]

Good size smaller. Good job!
Bruce

 

[375er]

Fly rod?

 

[DillonG]

Excellent fish. Brownies are the prize-fighters in freshwater IMO.

 

[CJW]

@375er regular spinning rod. I'm not proficient enough with a fly rod yet.

 

[Hunt anything]

That smallmouth is a stud and really gives the name “bronze back” true justice!

 

[Altitude sickness]

where was the fish caught. In our northern areas they take a long time to get that large. 10-15 years. I let them go for that reason.

 

[CJW]

Wisconsin river. Yes they usually take well over a decade to get this large in most areas. I really hate to see people take them from most lakes and rivers in the area, especially the larger specimens. I've caught 19's and 20's during the summer but they usually aren't this fat.