Though we’ve never seen a 30-pound stringer of smallmouth weighed on the Bassmaster Elite Series, it’s not an uncommon occurrence in local events on these waters according to Bassmaster LIVE commentator and smallmouth guru Mark Zona. Cory Johnston came the closest last year here, with 28 pounds, 8 ounces on Championship Sunday. His brother Chris is the closest today that we know of, with 25 pounds, 6 ounces, and an inclination to underestimate. He has two over 5 pounds and a 6 in his bag, by his estimations. These may well average out to 6 apiece, putting him within two bites of 30 pounds here on Day 1. And this achieved on the worst weather day we’ll see this week.
Jay Przekurat and Chris Johnston boated more than 100 pounds of smallmouth in four days here last year, a month and an half earlier. Anglers in this area will tell you, the fish here are a half pound heavier on average this much later in the season. Take Cory’s 28-8 from last year, add 2 and 1/2 pounds to his bottom line, and you end up at 31 pounds. What are the chances of seeing our first Dirty Thirty of smallmouth this week? “I’d say good,” says Zona.
