Well, Here She Is.

[paul.]

i got her - the subject of this post.  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/152591-have-you-ever-obsessed-over-a-particular-bass/page-2#entry1727336  i waited a whole year for this fish and catching her today was kinda bittersweet.  when i caught her last spring she weighed 10-2 which is pretty nice for a regular old northern strain bass.  this year i was hoping she would be over 11.  it was not to be.  last year was obviously her prime year.  now, on her first spawn of the year, her weight is down a little and she appears to be on her way out.  just goes to show you can't count your trophies before you're holding them.   so i donated her to some friends who are trying to get some good bass in their new pond.  though she's seen better days, she still has great genes and probably has another spawn or two left in her.  so hopefully her progeny will put a smile on someone else's face a few years from now. 

 

on another note, it is quite interesting that this fish spawned in the same location for the least 3 years.  not the same general area, but the same EXACT spot.  i have noted this trend with other big fish i have been fortunate enough to catch off beds over the past few years.  now granted, we are talking small lakes and ponds here, but it makes me wonder if this phenomenon also occurs on bigger bodies of water.  

 

she fell for a homemade jig 'n rage bug but she really made me work for her.  conditions were anything but ideal for bed fishing - stained, choppy water, late in the day with the sun going down.  the only angle i could see her from was still a bad angle that kept me far enough away that i couldn't read her body language, which is the key component of bed fishing.  i never even saw the male at all, probably because she dwarfed him.  and i never felt him nip or bite the lure either which is pretty unusual since it is often difficult to get a big female to commit without engaging the male first.   i had to dig pretty deep into my bag of tricks to close the deal with her.  and it had to have taken nearly an hour to get the bite.  but when it came and i dropped the hammer, the war was on.  even with a 7' 11" rod and 50 lb. braid, she gave a stellar account of herself - one last time.

 

so long big girl.  it was nice knowin' ya.

 

 

[WolfyBrandon]

Beautiful Fish Paul,

 

Also enjoyed the story. (The spawn is coming up soon in my area, and it looks like I have my work cut out for me to avoid the tough fishing.)

 

Congrats,

WolfyBrandon

[A-Jay]

Great Bass Paul ~

 

Interesting account as well.

 

I'm sure she'll pass on those good genes in your friend's new pond.

 

Congrats.

 

A-Jay

[fisherrw]

Wow nice fish.

[paul.]

Why the so long at the end?  Did she die?  Did you take her or throw her back?  Just wondering but a very nice fish. Congrats.

No, i would never intentionally kill or mishandle a big fish.  i said "so long" b/c i put her in a friend's new pond that he is trying grow some big fish in.  in her current condition, she is no good to me in the pond she came from.  she has "topped out" in growth potential and just creates an unnecessary drain on forage that younger fish with more potential could be utilizing.  this sounds a bit harsh but you have to make "tough cuts" like this to have a shot a real giant in a pond.  however her genes are still good and i think and she probably has a couple of spawns left in her so hopefully her young will populate my friend's new pond where maybe one day, Lord willing, i'll be able to catch her 11 or 12 pound daughter.  honestly, this fish will probably die within the next 2 years.  big head, goggle eyes, big fins - all signs of an old fish.

[F14A-B]

Neat story, a great catch.. How much time did you expel on her? ( before catching her this last time)

[Bluebasser86]

That is a great looking fish! Too bad about her story coming to an end, but at least you got to enjoy catching her one last time

[deep]

Great story Paul, and a nice catch. Bet you'll miss her.

[00 mod]

Great story and catch again Paul.  What did she weigh this time on the decline?

 

Jeff

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Nice Fish!!!

[long island basser]

Nice bass and story, thanks for sharing it.

[Dwight Hottle]

Great story Paul. Hopefully she will add those good genes to the new pond.

[Catt]

Awesome

[paul.]

Neat story, a great catch.. How much time did you expel on her? ( before catching her this last time)

 

LOL.  please clarify "expel on her" and i'll be happy to answer your question.  never heard that before. 

[paul.]

Great story and catch again Paul.  What did she weigh this time on the decline?

 

Jeff

Just a hair under 9 Jeff. 

[F14A-B]

LOL. please clarify "expel on her" and i'll be happy to answer your question. never heard that before.

I agree, wasn't the best word choice.. How much time from start till she was caught ( removed from the bed)

[paul.]

I agree, wasn't the best word choice.. How much time from start till she was caught ( removed from the bed)

i'd say about an hour, give or take a few minutes.  but that might be a little deceptive because i force myself to study a fish on a bed for at least five minutes before i even make a cast (to try to figure out the best approach to potentially catch her).  i think a lot of people shoot themselves in the foot by spotting a big fish on a bed and excitedly firing a cast to it without analyzing the situation.  not sure if you wanna count the watching part as actual fishing or not. 

[A-Jay]

i'd say about an hour, give or take a few minutes.  but that might be a little deceptive because i force myself to study a fish on a bed for at least five minutes before i even make a cast (to try to figure out the best approach to potentially catch her).  i think a lot of people shoot themselves in the foot by spotting a big fish on a bed and excitedly firing a cast to it without analyzing the situation.  not sure if you wanna count the watching part as actual fishing or not. 

 

Come on Paul - are you trying to say you actually exercise patience while fishing ?

 

I'm not sure that's allowed any more . . .

 

 

A-Jay