Mason Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Been fishing a lake for a while with a ton of small threadfin in it. It's heavily pressured but I knew there were some big fish in it from talking to fisheries biologist about what they've shocked up. The lake got real low and stayed stained until this year when it reached full pool and cleared up considerably. I've caught several 5+ pound fish his year on the traditional stuff but I found a dead crappie floating with scales knocked off recently and realized what the big girls were eating. Built and painted a bait to match and took it out to test it. Made a few casts and got it tuned then cut it off before I got hung since I wasn't in my boat and didn't want to lose it. Tied on an Alabama rig, hooked and lost what felt to be a big fish the first cast. Ended up moving to a point that's been good for 1-2 bites. Got a couple more bites and landed one small one. Then I caught and weighed a 4lb 15 oz fish. They finally shut down so I picked up a jerkbait and lost a 2 on it real quick. It was paying off better than usual but I couldn't get any more love on the traditional stuff so I decided to see if there were any big fish hanging out there. Tied on the crappie bait and the first cast down the right edge of the point I have a small follower that acted like it wanted it but I believe saw me and spooked. Made another cast a few feet to the left and another small fish follows it in. Much less interested but still encouraging. Make a third cast and after about 15 feet my line stops. Before the thought "I'm hung up" can make a full lap around my head I feel the head shake and instantly realize I have a giant. She put up an intense fight but I was able to land her. A guy fishing near me ran over and took some pics and then it was time to weigh her. And of course my scales won't turn on. Batteries are dead even though they had worked 15 minutes before. I had more batteries in my truck but I wasn't willing to risk killing her just to get a weight. So I took a couple measurements and released her to fight another day. She was 28.75" long and 18.5 inches around. evans_usmc69, Nateraz, daminator and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatHead Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 An amazing catch!! Well done! Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdmf7 Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Awesome write up. Nice fish and nice bait. That's the best thing about making baits, catching lunkers on them. Mason and wallyc 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassing305 Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Awesome report! Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMassBass Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Great report! Congrats, that is a beast! Love that crappie bait Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynem Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 There are some online bass weight calculators that give an estimated weight when you enter length and girth. Your numbers come out to an estimated weight of 12.8 pounds! Congrats. Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason Posted May 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Thanks guys. I checked a 3 of those sites last night. Always wondered how accurate they were though Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Speller Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Nice fish, even cooler that you made the bait that caught it! Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbass Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Nice fish Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhoozie1 Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 NIce looking bait!! Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ong Jim Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Great fish and a write up. And it has to be more gratifying to catch it on your own lure. Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyc Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Nice lure & bass...congrats. Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUV-2-CATCH'EM Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Holy cow man ! Killer fish and great looking lure! Mason 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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