I am a Cumberland guy, always have been, always will be, BUT, if the world record smallmouth is ever beaten (I doubt it) it will come from Dale. Dale has that unknown something that produces freak smallmouths. I think the smallmouth WR is one of the toughest records to beat. A smallmouth of that size is like a bluegill that weight 6 pounds. It just isn't going to happen very often if ever. If this record is ever broken in California, a little piece of me will die. I really enjoy the state of KY owning this record.