This gorgeous Colorado River smallmouth bass is a new IGFA all-tackle world length record for the species.
The chunky smallmouth measured 53 centimeters (20 inches) on an official IGFA measuring device, which tied the fish for the length record with two other officially recognized smallies. Sarah Harris landed her big fish while night fishing on the Colorado River in Arizona. It slammed a topwater lure and was boated after a short fight. After snapping some photos, Harris released it safely.
Harrisâs bass tied a smallmouth caught by William Brent Evans from Alabamaâs Lake Guntersville in 2014 as well as one caught from Washingtonâs Osoyoos Lake by Shane Hoelzle in 2020.
The IGFA all-tackle world record smallmouth by weight is a long-standing 11-pound, 15-ounce mark that was set in 1955 by David Hayes at Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee.
Hayesâs Dale Hollow fish is a record that might stand forever, but those length records can be beaten. While a 20-inch smallmouth is definitely a trophy fish, 20-plus inchers are caught pretty regularly. Itâs a matter of time before someone with an official IGFA measuring device puts one in the boat.
For more, go to IGFA.org.