A giant yellow perch, and a failed camera attempt

[IgotWood]

So I went out bassin yesterday afternoon for a couple hours. It took a while to find some players, but meanwhile, the perch were out on the field to play. I caught the two biggest yellows I have ever seen. I've caught a lot of big perch growing up in CT, but not quite as big as this. 

The bigger one taped out at 18.25". I couldn't believe it. I measured it twice to be sure. I don't have a digital scale, so I used the 60lb Boga I had with me (LOL). It teetered near the 3lb mark, but didn't quite reach 3. And as luck would have it, my GoPro wasn't running! I could swear it was, but I was very disappointed when I got home to review the footage. I'm new to the GoPro, and already I want to throw it in the garbage. 

Anyway, I went on to find some bass in an area which is usually unfishable, due to the weeds. Water was gin clear, and 63 degrees. No big bass, but I did finish up with a legal limit (which were all released), biggest 3 were 15-16". I hope to go back soon to where I found the bass. I think I can drum up a much better bite if I had more time. 

[Red Bear]

thats an impressive yellow perch, biggest one i ever caught was 10 inches. did have a bigger one follow a pearl white fluke in while bass fishing once, it was chunky looking and atleast 15 inches if not a little more...

[jr231]

Is that not a possible state record ? 

[IgotWood]

The state record here in VA is 4lbs, and 18" (I think). 

[Paul Roberts]

On 11/6/2016 at 10:22 AM, IgotWood said:

And as luck would have it, my GoPro wasn't running! I could swear it was, but I was very disappointed when I got home to review the footage. I'm new to the GoPro, and already I want to throw it in the garbage. 

Awesome perch! Amazing catch. Congrats.

GoPro's are a bit of a pain. It adds to the complexity of the trip, and there is a learning curve; Took me some fails to get it down. Making sure the camera is ON, or not toggled to a still pic mode, were initial problems. Gotta be deliberate with it.

[Jeff H]

Wow!  That's a monster perch!  I've caught some nice jumbo's but nothing even close to18".  Would have liked to see the colors on that one.  Good job on the bass too!

[bassh8er]

I caught a 15" and a 15 1/2" last winter ice fishing.  I thought those were world class fish but couldn't even imagine an 18"er.

[steverowbotham]

World record is 18 inches and it's the longest standing freshwater record in North America. Too bad about your GoPro

 

[IgotWood]

Yeah, I am definitely disappointed. It just never dawned on me that it could potentially break a record. Oh well, I wouldn't have eaten if I killed it anyway, which would disappoint me even worse. 

[HardCider]

On 11/6/2016 at 0:22 PM, IgotWood said:

 I'm new to the GoPro, and already I want to throw it in the garbage. 
 

GPRO shareholders feel like puking even more than you.  It went from $86.97 Oct 2014 to $9.89 today! 

At least it didn't cost you a fortune like the suckers that bought the stock.

[Paul Roberts]

I like my GoPros. Maybe there's better out there now. I wouldn't know as I don't have the $$ to experiment. Once I worked out the logistics, my GoPros do the job. It's almost like having a photographer follow me around.