Ok, here it goes...

After many months of wanting to do this blog, the time to finally post is here. What I want to do in this initial post is explain what this blog will be about and set groundwork for the story that we are going to be telling. Essentially this blog is exactly what the title suggests: documenting our journey of attempting to catch a 23-inch smallmouth bass. Now, many people have successfully conquered this feat, but hold up before you write task off as an everyday achievement. There are rules that we will have to follow for this fish to "count" as a true finish line to the Quest for 23.

The Rules:

1. The fish must be caught on only artificial bait (duh) Conventional tackle or fly tackle may be used.

2. The fish must be caught in moving water. Our definition of moving water is a free-flowing section of river. Flowages or impoundments (even one's with current) do not count as free flowing.

3. The fish must be caught from either wading or a human propelled craft. We all paddle kayaks, and wade on a regular basis. No jet boats allowed (sorry Snod).

4. The fish must be clearly photographed on a measuring device and agreed upon within the group that it is at or exceeds 23 inches in length. Mouth must be closed but tail can be positioned so that it maximizes length. 

5. The fish must be released alive within a reasonable amout of time into its native water.

6. The fish can be caught anywhere geographically as long as it meets all of these criteria, although most of our fishing will be done locally in central Indiana.

A side note: The goal is for only one of us to catch this fish, but as these things go, I'm sure that will only make the hunger for the other anglers that much stronger if it were to happen anytime soon. The blog can live on regardless with the remaining anglers.

So that about sums it up. Anyone who is familiar with river smallmouth knows this is a tall task. I have been in the kayak fishing community for quite some time, and I cannot say that I have ever seen this done meeting our criteria (I'm sure someone has done it, but I haven't personally seen it). Most 23 inch smallmouth I have seen come from large bodies of water such as Erie or St. Clair. If and when we accomplish this feat, make no mistake, it will be a lifetime acheivement. Now, let's get it boys!

-Josh