Epic Smallmouth Bass from the Walleye Mine

Ryan and I went to the "Walleye Mine" today, i.e. the spot where we caught so many walleye last year,  and caught nothing but huge smallmouth bass all afternoon.  Not that I can complain, they all gave an excellent fight!  We caught 12 in total, 6 each. They were all between 15 and 17.5 inches and about 3 pounds each. 3 pounds is on the low end of the scale for fish of this size, but they are typically skinny like this early in the season. By fall these fish will be closer to 4-1/2 lb.

It started out quite cloudy, but the weather cleared up and it turned out to be a gorgeous day on the water. It was our first time out wading and it did not disappoint  Hopefully it's a sign of a great fishing season this year!

DAMN! look at the size of this smallmouth bass! (micropterus dolomieu)

Fish on!

Nice big bass for Ryan. (micropterus dolomieu)

Caught this one despite my reel being broken!
If you look closely you can see the bail arm is broken and flipped upwards. 

Epic bass. (micropterus dolomieu)

That's how it's done! boom, another big smallmouth. (micropterus dolomieu)

Action shot of Ryan reeling in a nice 3 pound Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu)

Another fine specimen.
Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu) 

Check out the size of the mouth on this bass!
Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu)

Great looking fish.
Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu)

Ryan's a bass master now. 

My #2 of the day. Caught on the way to the walleye spot.
Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu)

Look at the size of this fat little smallie.
Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu)

This was my first one of the day. Took a selfie because Ryan hadn't even gotten in the water yet!
Smallmouth Bass (micropterus dolomieu)