The next WR Smallie?

[Chubminnow]

I asked earlier but didn't recieve any response, figured I'd ask again...Does anyone here have any idea how old a 12lb smallmouth would be?

[plowboy]

Chubminnow here is what I have read about the Hayes record smallmouth.
The Hayes record smallmouth bass was between 12 and 13 years old when caught. “That was probably a pre-impoundment fish,” Kinman said. “The fish had that excellent growth rate that comes with new reservoirs.
You can read the entire article at http://www.gcnewsgazette.com/article...ews/news62.txt

[TEE]

Here's what I just read in Bassmasters...they say a 12" smally up north may be 6 years old. Smallies down south are rarely older than 12 to 13 years (guesstimated).