8 Plus Pounder

[fozzype]

Fished the Mill Creek Derby on Friday Night. Caught a few good fish during the tourney, but nothing great. Had bad luck and lost 3 really good fish at the boat, simply being stupid. The fish would swim under the boat and before I could get around, jump and spit the bait. The pattern was simple, brush and breaks.

Decided our 3 keepers were no good and decided to fish a little while the boats cleared out. A few minutes after the tourney decided to downsize a little and .....

The fish hit solid and on the hookset I thought it was a good fish. The fish jumped behind the boat and I knew it was pretty good. It actually got under the motor and came up near the surface and I could see her (I thought it was a 5 lber) I trimmed the motor and puller her up as my buddy netted her. He freaked out! He jumped and yelled like a 3 year old. I guessed the weight at 6. We let her calm down a little in the livewell and I took a closer look. The widest bass I have ever seen. The back would have made some 2.5 " thick fillets.

Well, My X tools scale showed 8 lbs 5 oz and the Berkley Scale showed 8 lbs. 13 oz. She was 23.5 inches long and the width was about 9". I did not meausre the girth. Started to take her to the taxidermist, but just too pretty. The fish looked very health and young? She did not have buggy eyes or the pooch belly.

She still swims today!

[Quillback]

Wow! Very nice! Good on you for releasing it.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Way to go! Very nice fish!!!

[motoman]

Beautiful fish! And nice job letting her swim again fozz!

[Jason Essary]

Great Job Fuzzy. Wonderful fish, sucky timing.

[CollegeFish86]

I love how you photo shopped your bait out brett!

[T-RockJaws]

I have a friend who is a taxidermist and actually does a great job on replicas. If you can get all the measurements (including girth), he really does a great job on a very nice replica fish. It still allows the actual fish to swim another day and gives you a nice memento to remember the experience by.

[TRRANGER]

Fozz Thanks for giving the rest of us a chance at her. To bad about the timing issue. But with a fish like that does it really matter when you caught her?? NICE FISH

[Andy & JoAnne]

Awesome fish...sad story. You are a true angler. That lady is still swimming proudly because of your decision to let her go. Better luck next tourney.

[Jason Essary]

In my opinion, releasing something like that will better you odds for the next one. The rock is a contrary girl, but when treated right she will repay you sometime.