What Does This Weigh

[OzarkFishman]

I went to a local neighborhood pond (my friend lives there, so I was able to fish the private pond). I only had about 45 minutes due to other obligations. I fished with a spinner bait for a while with no hits. I then switched to a purple worm (split shot rig). I picked up a short (12 inches) and then got a text from the Mrs. to come home. As I was walking back to the truck I came to a spot that I just had a feeling about. I had to give it a few casts. On the first cast I set the hook and thought I got a log, then the fight was on. This big girl made a jump out of the water and I knew I had to get her in (I read that most male northern strain bass never exceed 6 pounds). When I did I knew I had just caught the biggest bass of my life. Based on the picture by my pole this bass is either right at 24" or a little over. The second picture shows the girth. I didn't have a scale or a tape measure, but I am guessing this bass to be 7+ pounds ...

What do you all think? (my previous best was 6 pounds 2 ounces AND 23")

[eric1978]

That's a big fat pig you got there, but I hate to tell you it's no 7 pounder...I'd guess closer to 5, although it's nearly impossible to say just looking at the pictures.

Great fish, though!

[smallmouthjoe]

I would also put it in the five to six category. Great fish, I love that feeling when you first hook a big one, there's that still moment when you don't know if you set the hook on a fish or are hung up. I think I know where that pond is, I may have to do a ninja night fishing trip.

[OzarkFishman]

Maybe the pictures don't show it, but it is definately bigger than my 6 pounder. But heck, if it is not, it was still nice to catch. More feedback is welcome, even if it is to tell me I am a moron and that it is it is only 4 pounds.

Thanks,

OzarkFishman

PS - I have looked at multiple length to weight charts for largemouth. Pictures don't always tell the truth (24" = somewhere between 7 and 8 pounds in most charts). This bass gets a little skinny towards the tail, but is very girthy (football shaped). I know it doesn't matter, but I never want to exaggerate a weight.

[fishinwrench]

Maybe the pictures don't show it, but it is definately bigger than my 6 pounder. But heck, if it is not, it was still nice to catch. More feedback is welcome, even if it is to tell me I am a moron and that it is it is only 4 pounds.

Thanks,

OzarkFishman

PS - I have looked at multiple length to weight charts for largemouth. Pictures don't always tell the truth (24" = somewhere between 7 and 8 pounds in most charts). This bass gets a little skinny towards the tail, but is very girthy (football shaped). I know it doesn't matter, but I never want to exaggerate a weight.

You're begging for honesty so I'll bite.

By the pics I would guess it at a tad over 4 lbs. but, pics usually lie to the small side. It would be difficult to hold a 5+ in your palm like that unless you are a "pretty big ol'boy". I also don't see 24" there, but if she was then you are correct in assuming in the neighborhood of 6.

Nice one !

And it's fine to exaggerate the weight, actually it is expected. We're gonna knock almost 2 pounds off whatever you tell us anyway

[OzarkFishman]

Well I am not one to say how big of a boy I am, so I will just say 5 and be happy with it. Thanks for the responses.

[eric1978]

Well I am not one to say how big of a boy I am, so I will just say 5 and be happy with it. Thanks for the responses.

And you know what? Who cares what it weighed? It was a big ol' fat pretty bass and I'll be she faught like an SOB and that's all that matters. I'll bet that was one of the biggest LM caught in the state today. I'd be happy as a clam.

[brownieman]

It's a nice fish regardless.

Appears to be a typical pond bass, all head. Most times that's attributed to a food shortage but who knows...aint no 2 of us built just alike either.

Bet you were glad you made that last cast.

later

[Wayne SW/MO]

If its truly close to 24"s it should push 7 given the girth. The picture with it in hand however doesn't show it to be over 5 at best, unless your hands are huge.

If however you want it to be your personal best at 7#s, your argument is as good as any.

[Dan Sweeney]

Either way, that is a darn nice bass this far north! I'm from down in Arkansas, but living in northeast kansas currently. Last summer I caught an honest five pounder (weighed, with witnesses) and those guys both about soiled themselves. I described it as a nice bass and a lot of fun and nothing at all wrong with it and all that (but I say that about pretty much any fish, since I'm hardly a head hunter), and they about decided to hold my head under water. Point being, the further up you get, the fewer really nice bass you'll run into since they are a relativly warm water fish, and that is a good 'un!!