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Montana’s fishing community is buzzing after a local angler caught an impressive 8.4-pound smallmouth bass, which could soon be recognized as the new state record. The angler, Josh Johnson, shared this experience with the Swate Fishing crew during a fishing trip that turned into a memorable adventure.
“It’s been a life goal of mine to catch and release a state record,” Johnson said, reflecting on the moment they realized they had hooked this monster. “We got it done tonight!”
The fishing trip was already a success before the record catch. “We had a 30-pound plus bag worth of smallmouth using a variety of Nishine Lure Works Smeltheads, Ned rigs, football jigs, and drop shots,” said Johnson. The team was in high spirits, excited about their sizable catch.
It was when Johnson switched to a football jig on a Swate Fishing Brigade Black Label 7’3” medium heavy rod that the magic happened. “The 8.4-pound, 22.4-inch long bass latched onto my 3/4 ounce football jig,” Johnson recalled. “As I set the hook, she ran right at the boat. I just about blacked out when I saw the scale cross 8 pounds!”
The excitement didn’t stop there. The group’s total catch for the day amounted to an impressive 33.35 pounds. “It was a personal best for us all,” said Johnson, clearly thrilled by the day’s achievements.
Johnson expressed heartfelt thanks to his friends and family, particularly Cody Roland, who has spent countless hours fishing this body of water in various conditions.
SWAM OFF STRONG
After capturing the moment on film and ensuring a proper weigh-in, it was time for the release. “I let the fabled 8-pounder go. She’s swimming for someone else to have a shot at!”
Johnson’s fish beats the previous record of 7.84 pounds, which was caught in Fort Peck Reservoir by Theron Thompson in 2021. That fish taped out to 22 inches. At this pace, we might see a 9-pounder in the Treasure State by 2027.
As the news spreads, many in the fishing community are eager to see if this remarkable catch will be officially recognized as the new Montana state record for smallmouth bass. Regardless of what the records state, this catch will undoubtedly be remembered as the catch of a lifetime!
