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Those are truly some astonishing numbers! According to the fish calculator (I know subjective) anyways, puts both the top two fish listed in a 40 POUND class!! I believe "Dottie" was right at 30 inches in lenght and girth I'm not sure, and she was unofficially weighed at 25.1 pds. If these fish were "accurately" measured it seems Florida has produced the largest bass on record unofficially ANYWHERE!

Like the title says, a friend I was talking to that had lived in the central Florida area for 20 years were on the topic of world record bass. He told me he has caught a 19 pounder from ponds in Florida less than 3 acres in size. He further went on to state that in the 90's east lake Toho had revealed a 24 pound bass during electro-shocking for bass studies. If true, obviously this bass isn't around anymore, but that the only thing I've ever heard of a bass getting that big in Florida. I was wondering if anyone had heard this about Toho, or maybe it was another lake and could verify it's validity. Actually, anything anyone has heard of 20 plus pound bass being caught in the state of Florida would be interesting. Maybe with the new bass management programs going on and into the future Florida may become a great place to catch giant bass more consistently.

I guess i should add that the flipping stick i use is rated up to 1.5-2 ounce baits.

I only use flipping sticks for my six inch hudds. Its an extra heavy and has plenty of power to really set that hook when the bass have bit down on that little swimbait. Casts them with ease as well.

I only use flipping sticks for my six inch hudds. Its an extra heavy and has plenty of power to really set that hook when the bass have bit down on that little swimbait.

Ditto that! Good job they'll love that over on the nation!

Nice, I think you'll like that setup

Check it out on youtube, "Bernie Schultz Flips Big Bass", straight braid, no leader.

I use the kistler broomstick change and i love it.

Wow guys, thanks for all the advice. To be honest I figured I'd go out and catch a bunch of fish just because it's lake O. Great points to consider as stated above. I'll pick a good looking area and cover as much water in that area as possible! I will look for clean, clearer water, although never being on the main lake, I'll have to figure out how clear the water actually gets there. The picture gar-tracker described really helps me get an idea of the bottom. If I'm understanding this correct, it seems the middle of lake in general is shallower than around the edges? Looking at the map, I'm wondering if Moorehaven would be a better place to launch vs Clewiston. It appears theres a much larger area of vegetation along the edge in Moorehaven with Moonshine bay somewhat towards the middle of all that. Last time I was at the Moorehaven ramp there were only three trailors there as well, which would be nice.

Oh yeah, my buddy is pretty easy going, but this guy has caught more DD bass than anyone I know (when nobody else is around)! If it's not DD bass, it's crazy numbers, 50 fish outings, EVERY time.

BigeBass, I agree with the points you make. It's just like us, there are thousands of things that we deal with that make us more susceptible to illness, but does not kill us or even for the most part, is life threatening. I really don't know how important the slime coat is, but I do agree, it's probably the barrier of protection from illness. I never had a hot carpet for a bass to lay on, so I really don't know what that does to a fish.

Haha. Good post bigebass, i like when people take time to research things. In my opinion the above as far as slimecoat it could present a potential health risk but IMO not of high risk. I think if it were that dangerous to the bass we would see more floating fish or unhealthy fish. These fish seem pretty resiliant to me.

Haha, I'll let you know only if I don't get skunked! I'm pretty good at that!

lol, check him out, he's caught a handful of teener sized bass. Pretty respectable IMO. His site provides some interesting articles as well.

Link doesn't seem to be working.

JayD, AWESOME! Now I know what you guys are talking about! Just noticed, new member also, Welcome and greatest first post ever! Where are you located? Thanks! Tony

salmicropterus, Great response, I will have to get one of those maps and soon I'll understand all these areas you guys are talking about. I would think with the lake being so big even a slight breeze could produce very choppy water? I've been in the rim ditch so that and uncle joe's cut is about the ONLY areas I can famailiarize myself when mentioned. I hope the boat launches aren't as hectic as when we launched into the gulf! Those places almost have more fights than night clubs. I very much appreciate the time for you response. Tony

Is a 9 gallon tank enough with the 40 horse motor, or will this limit how far I can run?

Sounds good, I'll sneak a bait or two into your tackle before you leave. You can even take the front. Tony

I think braid with shallow cranks is okay, just use a softer powered rod so you don't rip hooks out. This works for me because I've lost too many fish in the weeds with mono and flouro.

If your punching, check out Miller's punching weights. Not the cheapest but probably worth looking at. I have not used these YET, so I'm not able to give any feedback.

Capt. Shane, Thanks, maybe one day I can meet up with you and have one of them 100 fish days! Hopefully I can stop dreaming about it and actually do it now. by the way, do you want a brand new 316 baby wake in chartreuse shad?? Brand new A-rig maybe?? Again thanks. Tony

Thanks, I have never been on the main lake. I apologize but I don't even know where east and west wall are, haha or even what they are. I did plan on taking it piece by piece. Your advice on the 3 foot rollers by the water tank is excellent, I never would have known that. My first day I plan on finding the grassy areas or mats and fishing around those areas. I did wind up getting a 2011 tracker pro 165 with the 40 hp merc. I have yet to find out if this will handle the lake ok or not. From what I understand, Lake O can get pretty choppy? Hopefully this small boat will allow me to get fairly shallow as well. My only other boating experience is all in the salt on a 27 footer. Apples to oranges there.

I don't tournament fish, but I do agree with WRB, these fish provide us with alot of pleasure and should be cared for with the utmost respect. A buddy of mine would fling bass back into the water seeing how many "flips" he could make it do. I respectfully expressed my displeasure?? with this.