Introduction to the Record-Breaking Catch
Joe Capilupo asked me to send the photo Wednesday when I texted him about the smallmouth bass that Bennett Gotlund had caught Monday evening near McCormick Place.
“What a huge fish,” Capilupo texted back. “Great catch.”
He caught the Illinois record smallmouth late night on Oct. 14, 2019, at Monroe Harbor on a Z-man Ned rig (California craw). After some wild efforts by friends overnight (aerators and coolers), he was able to weigh the fish on the certified scale at Henry’s Sports and Bait the next day. Henry’s then kept the fish alive in a bait tank until it was certified by Vic Santucci, Lake Michigan program manager.
The Catch
Full length view of Bennett Gotlund holding his big smallmouth bass, near state-record size, caught near McCormick Place Monday.
Comparison with the Previous Record
Capilupo’s 22¼-inch smallmouth with a girth of 16¼ weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. It was released, frankly not far from where Gotlund caught his. For comparison, Gotlund’s was 24 inches long.
Capilupo’s fish smashed the long-standing record (6-7) caught by Mark Samp on March 26, 1985, from a Fulton County strip pit.
The Previous Record Holder
Mark Samp holds his smallmouth bass, which stood was the Illinois record from 1985 until 2019.
Reaction to the New Catch
When I first texted Capilupo about Gotlund’s fish, he replied, “Wow, that’s awesome. I’m not sure how long I thought it would last but I wasn’t expecting the record to last this long.”
Conclusion
The recent catch of a large smallmouth bass by Bennett Gotlund near McCormick Place has sparked excitement among fishing enthusiasts. The fish, measuring 24 inches in length, is nearing the state record set by Joe Capilupo in 2019. Capilupo’s record-breaking catch, which measured 22¼ inches and weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, was released after being certified. The previous record, held by Mark Samp since 1985, was broken by Capilupo’s impressive catch.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current Illinois state record for smallmouth bass?
A: The current record is held by Joe Capilupo, with a fish measuring 22¼ inches and weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces. - Q: Where was the record-breaking smallmouth bass caught?
A: The record-breaking smallmouth bass was caught at Monroe Harbor. - Q: How long did the previous record stand?
A: The previous record, held by Mark Samp, stood for 34 years, from 1985 to 2019. - Q: What is the length of Bennett Gotlund’s catch?
A: Bennett Gotlund’s catch measures 24 inches in length.
