Smallmouth with a ‘goby gut’

JVD had to take some extra time while making his latest cull. He knew this 4-pounder would help him. The problem came when he was trying to discern the smallest fish in his livewell After that cull. Now he's got five cookie-cutter 4-pounders. 

"I think I've got over 20 pounds now," VanDam said.  "Somewhere around that."

All his fish have have been caught drop shotting a Strike King Dream Shot — green pumpkin with blue flake — in about 25 feet of water.

All his smallmouth bass are displaying a "goby gut." That's what local guide Dean Meckes likes to call the big bellies on the smallmouth bass here, which are feeding like never before since the arrival of the invasive species.