World Record Smallmouth

Smallmouth World Recorder holder Interview - Meet DL Hayes and see his World Record Smallmouth caught in Kentucky. Travel to Dale Hollow lake for the dedication of the DL Hayes Boat Ramp. Back in 1954 DL Hayes hauled in what was to become, and still is, the world record small mouth bass.

[shawnbeck]

My father caught a smallmouth in 1974 on the Tippicanoe River near Monticello, Indiana. I believe it was around when the town got hit by a tornado. It was 5 pouds 4 ounces. The hardest, smartest, fighting fish I ever seen! I'm 58 yrs old. I was 14 at the time. My father was 6'4 and 280 pounds at the time. He had to reel above his head to keep that big smallmouth from headed back to his home behind a stump! The fight went on for about 10 minutes before my Dad yelled get the net son! I I grabbed the net and scooped that smallmouth on the first try. My Dad said son this is what you go fishing for. He put the fish in a big green Coleman cooler and headed for the ramp. Looking for a place to weight it. 5"4 ounces. I still have that fish on my wall in the garage today. Love telling that story to all that listen. Can't imagine what a fight a 11pd 15 ounce Smallmouth would do or how long it took to bring it in! Shawn

[jonmartin]

I've kept one Smallie in 20+ years. My 6lb 1oz fish. It's 22 inches long, and HUGE. I don't plan on keeping another, until I break 8.That fish(the record) is just unreal.

[justinmeyers]

Glad to see that Mr. Hayes got his day in the record books. I am happy for him and the people that notarized his story for his place in history.

[tacoma]

Wonderful, happy for Mr. Hayes. And glad to share a wonderful lake with our sister state of Tn.

[appalachiangunman]

Tennesseans be like “that fish was born in Tennessee!”

[calcrappie]

And that's what brings me to The Hollow. The chance to catch a double digit smallmouth.

[MRbassmasterman]

I want to go to Dale Hollow soo bad! Its 14 hours away though... Cool video. But, I disagree with the guy who said the record will never be broken... It WILL be broken.

[mapscannotcontainme]

Great story. Great video. Thanks for the upload.

[robbiebrown]

My pb is 15 pounds even. small mouth shark. Thank you.

[DinsmoreOutdoors]

I disagree, Most anglers dont harvest trophy bass any more they get replica mounts, so they are released to grow even bigger. Or states could do what TX did and have the share a lunker program to stock there lakes with good genetics

[bcpd]

I dunno, this is something we will probably never know for sure, as it was the 50s, but to me something in that pictures seems to tell the story of another species of bass mixed into the genetics. If you look at the ones that are close, the 8s, 9s, etc., none of them have a mouth even remotely this big and the body shape is different. Not saying it isn't the real deal, but it definitely looks a bit different than the ones caught recently that are only 1-2 lbs smaller.

[thehook]

would it be possible that this fish could have actually been a rare Meanmouth bass? a mix between a Smallmouth, and Largemouth bass!? the black and white picture really looks like one with its markings and lateral line

[DodgeMan]

I can only wish to see a smallie half that size these days!

[grizzly]

The record will never be broke in our life time but probly will never be broke period

[lynnmoss]

This doesn't look like the David L Hayes Boat Ramp, because the State Police Ferry isn't parked on it, blocking the ramp from being used by fishermen.

[mayflies]

Jeez my catfish that I got a master angler on was 21 lbs 37 inches and that smally is almost as big

[lukkyluciano]

this record will never be broken in US or Canada, maybe in another country like Japan if smallmouth with right genetics were stocked. Any smallmouth over 8-9 lbs is a freak of nature. I've seen so many 5-7 pounders come out of Lake Erie, literally thousands, but only seen 1 smallmouth over 9lbs in 50+ years of going there and it was killed by my cousin to be mounted in 1990s.

[raygivens]

That fish was caught on the Tennessee side of the lake I tell ya

[awesomesaucejay]

It could happen though. It's not likely but to say it couldn't is a bit much.

[jericarroll]

I'll tell you right now that bass looks nothing like a smallmouth and just like a largemouth. Look at the color and the mouth. Duh. Lol