5 Lb. Smallie On The James

[rogerdodger]

This fish shows the results of the conservation dept. size limits paying off. I caught it 2 weeks ago a couple of miles below Hootentown. The day had started off slow till I switched to the flyrod and caught 7-8 Smallmouth and Spots casting some of my tied jigs to the back of eddys and adjacent to large boulders; they all measured between 10-13" along with the usual Goggleye thrown in for good measure. Towards eve. I caught a 14" Smallie on a 4" swimbait using the spinning rod and then on the very next cast this sweetie hit. Took about 5 min. to land her on 6lb. test. Unlike many Smallmouth I have caught in previous years that were long and thin this one was thick and mean, mimicking the fish of the northern states. 19 1/2 inches and still swimming free............................Roger

[FishinCricket]

Beautiful fish, Roger.. Thanks for sharing!

[TroutRinger]

That an awesoem fish...thanks for the pic

[hookem777]

Roger: Nice Job!

[zsmith62]

Great Smallie...too bad it wasn't on the fly rod, that would've been nuts!

[ozark trout fisher]

This fish shows the results of the conservation dept. size limits paying off. I caught it 2 weeks ago a couple of miles below Hootentown. The day had started off slow till I switched to the flyrod and caught 7-8 Smallmouth and Spots casting some of my tied jigs to the back of eddys and adjacent to large boulders; they all measured between 10-13" along with the usual Goggleye thrown in for good measure. Towards eve. I caught a 14" Smallie on a 4" swimbait using the spinning rod and then on the very next cast this sweetie hit. Took about 5 min. to land her on 6lb. test. Unlike many Smallmouth I have caught in previous years that were long and thin this one was thick and mean, mimicking the fish of the northern states. 19 1/2 inches and still swimming free............................Roger

Awesome pic.... That is the sort of fish we all dream of catching.

[Bird Watcher]

Beautiful fish..

And thank you for releasing a true Ozark trophy.

[crawfly]

Hey roger, I caught that fish a month ago about a mile down from Hootentown on my flyrod. I fought him a ways downstream but not another mile! Glad I was able to take enough fight out of him so you could land him with your spinnin' rod.

Nice toad!!

Tight lines & Bent sticks

[Zack Hoyt]

And thank you for releasing a true Ozark trophy.

Amen!!! Great looking fish and even better you were kind enough to release him.

[Bman]

Beautiful fish..

And thank you for releasing a true Ozark trophy.

I agree. Thanks for the pic!