Kyle Danhausen, a seasoned bass angler and sales representative for Shimano, recently landed a smallmouth bass in the southern end of Lake Michigan that nearly shattered the Illinois state record. The impressive fish measured 21 ¾ inches long and weighed a stunning 7 pounds 2 ounces, falling just one ounce short of the state record that was set in 2019.
A Perfect Catching Conditions
On April 24, the day the record-breaking smallie was caught, the weather was ideal for fishing. The air temperature was in the 80s, and there was no wind to hinder the angler’s progress. Danhausen, who targets small rock piles and uses a range of lures, including tube baits and swimbaits, was hooked up on nearly every cast that morning.
Key Factors in the Catch
To understand the significance of Danhausen’s catch, it’s essential to examine the factors that contributed to its success:
• **Location**: The southern end of Lake Michigan, near the city of Chicago, offers an ideal habitat for smallmouth bass. • **Depth**: Fishing in around 20 feet of water played a crucial role in Danhausen’s success, as the fish were stacked up near the bottom and hard to see on the forward-facing sonar. • **Lures**: The use of a 2.5-inch tube bait and a small swimbait proved to be an effective combination, attracting the attention of the large smallmouth. • **Time of Day**: The bite slowed by mid-morning, prompting Danhausen to switch to deeper structures and target bigger fish.
The Catch and Release
When the big smallie struck, Danhausen knew he had a monster on his hands. The fish was incredibly strong, and he felt its head shakes as he reeled it in. Danhausen jumped into the middle of the boat and prepared his net, a gesture that impressed a couple of nearby anglers who recognized the significance of the catch. A couple of bystanders, Dale Bowman and Jim O’Neil, met Danhausen at the Bridgeport Bait and Tackle scale to verify the fish’s weight and confirm that it had set a new state record. The fish, a female full of eggs, was released unharmed after being weighed.
Debate and Reactions
The release of the record-breaking fish was met with an onslaught of messages, both positive and negative, from the online community. Danhausen was accused of “molesting” fish for likes and attention, while others claimed the bass must have died because the release video ends before the fish fully leaves his hand. Danhausen, however, remains unfazed by the attention. He says that he’s not seeking glory or recognition and was simply glad to catch a remarkable fish. “I never really expected this notoriety … and I certainly wasn’t seeking glory or anything like that. I just thought it was a cool fish and I was glad to catch it.”
More Smallmouth Bass in the Chicago Area
The record-breaking smallmouth bass from Lake Michigan is just a testament to the excellent smallmouth fishing in the area. Danhausen, who has been catching more and more big smallies in the Chicago area in recent years, believes that the Great Lakes fishery is booming. “The Great Lakes fishery in general is just booming — the coho fishing is outstanding, and the same for perch and lake trout [on Lake Michigan],”
A New Era for Smallmouth Fishing in Chicago
With the record-breaking smallmouth bass, a new era has begun for smallmouth fishing in Chicago. Danhausen’s catch is just a glimpse into the exciting times that lie ahead for smallmouth anglers in the city. “Some old-timers might correct me, they’ll say it was really good back in the 80s. But the smallmouth fishing down here [around Chicago] has never been as good as it is now,”
| Why Smallmouth Fishing is Thriving in Chicago | Key Factors |
A Message from Kyle Danhausen
“I just wanted to say that I’m glad I got to share this experience with all of you. And I want to thank everyone for their support and kind words. I wish everyone the best of luck in finding your own record-breaking catch! May the lines be hot, and the fish be plentiful!”
This record-breaking bass from Lake Michigan is not only an impressive catch, but it also highlights the importance of responsible fishing practices and the need to protect our waterways.
