QuitLookinAtMyItos wrote:I've been to Laurel many times, considering I just about 45 minutes north and have fished out of Holly Bay several times. There are some trophy class smallmouth in Laurel for sure, but I am VERY skeptical of a 30" fish weighing nearly 13lbs from there especially with the decline in trophy-class fish reports in the last couple of years.
Besides, the jacket and beanie the young lady is wearing in the photo do not match any of KDFWR uniform issues. Where did this pic come from (i.e. a friend?) and when was it taken? I'm not buying it....
Last, while the fish in the photo is a great catch I'm "guessing" that fish is around 22-24 inches and possibly 5 1/4 - 5 3/4 lbs -- maybe 6lbs at most, but nowhere near 13lbs.
BTW, the state record is shared by Kentucky and Tennessee (as well as the world record) -- 11lb 15oz caught by David Hayes in 1955 in the KY/TN Reciprocal Waters (actually on the KY side of the state line). I've seen this mount and there is no doubt this fish was an ounce shy of 12lbs. The fish in your pic is an anchovie compared to the world record Mr. Hayes is credited with.
The boats behind it in the picture to the left is holly bay, the uniform she is wearing is the same one that the game warden was wearing that checked everyone in the tournament last saturday.
I am just posting this up, I didn't say I could 100% confirm it, the (friend) was on the boat with them. The pic is now posted up on laurel's website but has no information yet. Trophy fishing at laurel is on the RISE according to wildlife biologists reports from last march. Here is a link
http://www.kentuckyangling.com/magazine ... outh-bass/
I would hardly call that fish an anchovie.
