Not her , but getting closer

[N Florida Mike]

Back at the graveyard pond at crack of day. Got this one on a hand sized bream. 
No, I don’t have a scale because I dropped in the water the other day. I did get a measurement from my reel to first guide.- the fish fit perfectly between them . I will get the length when I get home( forgot my fish ruler too. 
This isn’t the one I’m after, but it’s halfway … I guess 5-6 pounds…

[Mike L]

Beautiful fish, looks like you must have some thick submerged grass in that pond. 
 

She looks all of 6#

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks!  She was a very healthy fish- pics don’t do her justice.There is some submerged weeds/grass.The pond is deep- nobodies sure how deep. 

I know someone will silently criticize me for catching it on live bait, but I have fished this pond consistently for 28 years, and the biggest on an artificial was just 3 1/2 pounds. I just got tired of it after awhile…

[TnRiver46]

Monster ! 

[Catt]

Hawg 😉

[Pat Brown]

Daggum stud!  Well done sir!  😎😎😎🎣🎣🎣

[Mobasser]

Nice fish Mike!

[N Florida Mike]

The fish ended up measuring  at least 22.5 inches, up to 23. Can’t remember if I measured her including the drag knob or not, but it’s about a half-inch difference.

So I’d agree it’s 6+.

 

I actually just remembered it was from the first guide to the top of the reel rim, not the drag knob.

So closer to 23 …

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

Back at the graveyard pond at crack of day. 

Nice Bass ~

Congrats

btw- how about a new name for this lake.

Might even improve your luck a little.

At least you were wearing black 

A-Jay

[N Florida Mike]

I’ll come up with something AJ…😁

[Dwight Hottle]

I don’t care what you caught it on Mike. Nice summer bass.

[Swamp Girl]

5 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

I know someone will silently criticize me for catching it on live bait,

 

Not me. I've caught thousands of smallies on leeches and I did so with all due joy. I agree that she's at least six pounds. I caught two last year that went 22.25". One weighted 6.71 pounds and the other, 6.75 pounds. Both were thinner than yours, so I think yours is seven pounds plus.

[GreenPig]

Very nice. I'd keep fishing with bream.

[N Florida Mike]

This fish fought good, but not like that bigger fish I’m chasing. Not that I’m unhappy with this one. 
In the 2 times I hooked the big fish, I didn’t gain an inch of line on her. I have only had a a couple fish on ever that I couldn’t turn. 

[Conrod]

Nice Job!! Definitely 6+ 😀

[Fishlegs]

Looks every bit of 6 lbs. Nice fish!

[12poundbass]

Well done sir!

[N Florida Mike]

I found out today that the pond is 45 feet deep in the middle ! That is very deep for any pond or lake in Florida.

A friends son caught a 13 pounder in it 10 years ago or so. With that kind of depth , bass can take advantage of thermoclines and not get stressed in extreme temps… so theoretically they should live longer and thus get bigger!

[WRB]

If anyone takes the time to understand giant bass growth study California’s Florida bass introduction in San Diego lakes. 
What was the common denominator to 18+ lb LMB. San Diego has exceptional climate that averages around 70 degrees with lows under 50 and highs under 90 degrees. Water temps rarely exceed 70 degrees in summer at 30’ depths. The weather conditions regarding stable water temps exist throughout the State but high and lows are more radical.

Cool water available to the bass prolongs life time to grow.

Tom

[N Florida Mike]

Back after mrs big again in the church pond. First decent fish since the 6 pounder. 

[Swamp Girl]

[GRiver]

Nice fish!!! Congratulations 

45’ is deep for here, graveyard pond ??? Is it man made? If so do you how old it is?

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks! Yes it is very deep. It is about 200 feet from I-10. I think it was dug for fill for it in the early 70s. But its only around 3-4 acres in size. Yes, it’s the graveyard pond at church. There’s 3 other ponds there too, but the others aren’t as good. 2 of them are newer and shallower. 1 is back in the woods and it’s hard to get to. Never caught anything in it. 
The big fish Ive hooked 2-3 times has been elusive lately.

[The Baron]

Nice bass! 😎  A 6# largemouth is a once every third year fish up here, if you’re lucky!  Amazingly, for those who fish Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River 5-6+lb. smallmouth are far more common than largemouth of that size.

[ironbjorn]

A 45 ft deep 3-4 acre pond sounds insane to me.