17" Lake Washington Smallmouth

I was trolling for cutties pretty deep today on Lake Washington. Had no luck for several hours until my rod started to bend.  Landed this nice 17" Smallmouth.  Looking forward to logging my first decent fish for 2013 AOTY.

Beautiful fish. What a great start! Was he hooked in the mouth? First pic kinda looks like a foul hook. Of course, it could just be the angle of the pic once the hook was removed.

Thanks. Hard to believe it hit this needlefish.  Yes, it was hooked in the mouth.  I unhooked the spoon in the net and left it in there for sizing.  I took a bunch of photos and couldn't keep the mouth completely closed without stapling it shut.  Hope it counts under the new rules.

Yeah I'm curious what the panel says about the mouth. I know they were clear on the mouth being closed in the 2013 rules, but for some species that's tough to do.

I know it. Smallmouth have such the underbite as it is.

Good start BB!
Gotta love a nice Bass taken in the winter.

Tough job to have mouth closed all times. I get it though.

Do you carry a fish mouth stapler?

Beautiful fish! I would hope that this counts for you.  I think you were rather conservative in your measurement.    Did it end up blackened?

I took a few photos when I got back to shore using the ruler on the Hobie side bar but it was tough to see the numbers.  I really wanted to release her but brought her home to get a better photo.  I looked at the 2012 rules of the mouth being slightly gapped as being ok.  Here's a few more shots.  Pretty fish.

Pretty Fish....Pretty Tasty too, with lemon and butter

I've no doubt BB will upgrade on SMB several times this year.  Those competing in the AOTY '13 should be warned, this guy catches the big fish. I won't be surprised when he breaks the 2k mark.

Nice smallie. Look at the belly on that thing!

Fish mouth stapler...hahaha

Ha ha . Thanks guys. Perhaps we move this thread to "things I learned today".  I have another 10 months to practice how to photograph fish with their mouths closed. No doubt that having a Hawg Trough would have made this easier.

Jam the mouth against a vertical surface to keep it closed then measure.  Hey, you could get an NWKA trough!  The vertical is built-in.

I bought a NWKA hog trough but gave it away as a gift two years ago thinking I'd never use it.  This year I want to throw my hand and pole into the competition.  I saw Alan had a thread back in December about reordering Hawg Troughs.  Anyone know if the order has been placed?

I was just looking at these nice fish troughs.  A bit more spendy but no doubt durable than plastic.  Also comes in 36" size and even larger for musky http://www.fishtrough.com/OnlineStore/WalleyeTrough.aspx

I am usually not a promoter of Walmart, but they are everywhere. This is what I use.  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Expandable-Bump-Board/17126447  I picked one up a Wholesale Sports for about $9 after I found out my NWKA hawg trough didn't float.  It is at the bottom of the Columbia.  This one floats.  I have been using it for about two years and it is showing signs of the beating it has taken.  I definitely think the Hawg Trough is far more durable.  I do like that this one collapses to 18 inches and extends to 36.  If you google search Plano bump board, you can find other vendors.

Thanks craig