New Pb And Finally Broke The 20" Mark

[Seth]

I feel lucky to have only taken three serious years of river fishing to break that 20" barrier then. I've only personally seen three 20" smallmouth in person now. The first was a 20.25" last year when the river was high that was 4.14, a 4.33 from the Meramec earlier this year (not sure on the length but they guessed 21-22") and this one I caught. Seen a few pictures of 20+ inchers from the past couple years, but they are still few and far between.

Honestly, I figured if I ever broke that mark it would be during the winter or early spring. Those bigger fish seem to come a lot more easily during that time frame.

[Smalliebigs]

It used to happen quite a bit......if I had a jet and lived right on the Gasconade it would be a pretty common event. Fishing from a canoe or kayak or wading it's a little tougher to nail 20 + fish......I haven't caught more than my fingers of 20's but that's my goal....4 more to go.

I have friends who live on the Meramec who come on this forum every now and then.....they catch 20's some years more than others........it's really hard for me to nail a 20 from my computer in my stupid asse insurance office!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[carptracker]

Seth,

Congrats, very happy for you and thanks for sharing. Hope our paths cross in the near future.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Wow, great fish Seth.. Looks like a sweet boat to!!

[Hog Wally]

I love 20 inchers!

[Hog Wally]

To look at and let go of course. Seth , your a guy who has hooked me up with fish in your area. You deserve a 20 incher plus for all your good deeds you do

[Seth]

It used to happen quite a bit......if I had a jet and lived right on the Gasconade it would be a pretty common event. Fishing from a canoe or kayak or wading it's a little tougher to nail 20 + fish......I haven't caught more than my fingers of 20's but that's my goal....4 more to go.

I have friends who live on the Meramec who come on this forum every now and then.....they catch 20's some years more than others........it's really hard for me to nail a 20 from my computer in my stupid asse insurance office!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Considering you just caught that toad on a topwater, I don't feel TOO sorry for ya LOL!!

One feller I know fishes the. meramec out of Red Horse and Samd Ford most of the time. He seems to catch a 20"+ every other year on average. His boat is the one that landed the 4.33 earlier this year, which is the biggest smallmouth I have ever personally seen. He doesn't get to fish as often these days with his kiddos getti g older and taking up more of his time though. I'm sure that has something to do with it.

[Al Agnew]

Great fish, Seth!

Ah, yes, one of my favorite subjects, 20 inch river smallies. I've caught my share, having maybe averaged between 1 and 2 a year for about the last 40 years or so. I don't think I've gone more than three years without catching at least one during that time, and there have been those few years when I caught 3 or 4. But it doesn't come easy. I've probably caught 5 or more between 19 and 19 3/4 for every legitimate 20 plus.

It used to be easier, back in the days when I didn't know as much as I do now. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Big River and the middle Meramec had enough that I could average that one or two a year with the more limited knowledge and equipment I had back then.

But 20 inchers are ALMOST in the realm of accidental catches. By that, I mean that I don't think you can maximize your chances of catching 20s instead of 17-19 inchers. I fish for "good fish", catch a fair number over 17 inches, and once in a great while one of them breaks 20 inches. The only thing you can do is fish waters that hold enough 20 inchers to make the chances of catching one a little better.

[Haris122]

Congratulations.

[Kcdangler]

Did u weigh the fish and was that pinching the tail or loose