17-19" would be about right. My Dad has one on the wall that was 3 lb 2 oz and right at 18.5". Anyone see that article in the May 2005 issue of MO Conservationist of the lady from Columbia with 6 slabs? The 5 biggest ranged from 17-19" and the biggest weighing 4 1/2 lbs!! In the pic they look HUGE!! Said they caught them off minnows and yellow jigs, but wouldn't disclose the location. She did say it was a public lake in north-central MO in the summer so I am thinking maybe Hazel Creek in Kirksville. I will try to scan the pic when I get back from Tennessee next week.