So true Bill but... That smallmouth world record of almost 12 pounds you speak of was disqualified a few years back and the next biggest smallmouth out of Dale Hollow took it's place. I know because I recently refurbished and repainted it. It was 10 lbs. 14 ounces. Seems the guide put a few fishing weights and a lower unit of an outboard to make it weigh more.
I believe the 22 lb. 4 0z Lmb should be disqualified. There never was a picture of it and it was taken home and eaten. That wouldn't satisfy record keepers today.
I can take you to an area of Lake Michigan where the average size smallmouth is bigger than the average size largemouth just about anywhere. Of course that does not mean they grow faster or get larger. I saw a pic of a smallmouth from this bay that had a 21 inch girth! I was supposed to find a replica blank for it, but could not find one with that big a girth. You should see the crayfish forage in that bay! Before spawning they blacken the water they are so thick, and the smallmouth are not far behind.
You may want to disagree, but I believe I am getting the same growth out of some of my smallmouths that I am out of my largemouths. They also seem to coexist O.K. with the largemouths although that may be because the largemouths are primarily feeding on pellets.
