labor day tourney scam!

[Bass XL]

Hey all. Sorry for the delay, but I finally got my pic uploaded on photobucket. Well last weekend I went to a lake for the weekend in Pittsfield, IL. They had a tourney that went all weekend long, and it was a Big fish tourney. Well me and my cousin entered it. On saturday we went out on the boat and figured we'd throw some big spinnerbaits, big jigs, etc. because this lake's visibility is only about 3-4 inches at most. Well in one of the first casts, I cought about a 2 pounder. I figured i'd weigh it in just for the heck of it. But we stayed out on the boat with my 1 keeper. I was still throwing a black/blue single colorado blade spinnerbait and we were about ready to head in. I said, " this is my last cast" threw it out and started crankin'. I thought i was snagged on something, and then my line started moving sideways (i love it when that happens.lol) I reeled it it, and after about 5 jumps, I lipped the fish. I thought it was pushin' 5 pounds at the time. So i took the fish to the weigh in station. Let me give u a little backround info on this lake: it is a small lake that is surrounded by a HUGE campground, this lake is WAY over fished, and it is about 20-30 years old. That being said, they used the scale that was about 20 years old. Well I weighed my big one, and it said it only weighed 2 pounds 14 oz. I argued with the guy for a little bit, and finally gave up. Once again, this fish is about 4 or 5 pounds. Tell me what u think. The big one is on the left. and the small one is on the right.

Here u go.

[Bass XL]

oh. I forgot to add. I lost to a local kid that cought a 3 pounder

[FivePoundBluegill]

Did you actually weigh the one on the right at 2lbs? It looks about two pounds in the pic so im guessing you did. Also from this picture it looks like the larger fish on the left is around 4 pounds. He looks bigger than 2-14 from that picture to me

[FivePoundBluegill]

oh. I forgot to add. I lost to a local kid that cought a 3 pounder

Did you compare your big fish to his three pounder for size? Just wondering if yours deffinitly looked bigger than his?

[5bass]

Somebody call 911....he got robbed!  

[MattStrykul]

Somebody call 911....he got robbed!

[Needemp]

Hey BassXL, I don't know what you do in that situation. Your second fish is easily bigger than 3 pounds. But were the other guys cheating? Hard to say. If they were, then that is a real shame. But if it was an honest mistake, well that's just the part of life that stinks :-/. It seems like you are on your way to becoming a good fisherman. That's cool. Just know in your heart that you pretty much won, and use that as your confidence builder.

[Mattlures]

If you look at the size of his hand and the way he is holding the fish I would have guessed 3lbs. I dont think he got robbed at all. Most people grossly over estimate the size of thier fish. When ever I show sombody an 8lber its always over 10 and a real 10lber is usually at least a 13.  A 3lber is a good fish. it just sounds small.

Also if the winning kid weighed his fish on the same scale than its all relative.

[T-rig]

If you look at the size of his hand and the way he is holding the fish I would have guessed 3lbs. I dont think he got robbed at all. Most people grossly over estimate the size of thier fish. When ever I show sombody an 8lber its always over 10 and a real 10lber is usually at least a 13. A 3lber is a good fish. it just sounds small.

Also if the winning kid weighed his fish on the same scale than its all relative.

I agree completely.

[.ghoti.]

If that's a five pound fish, the young man in the picture must be about 6'9" and around 260 pounds.

Most five pound bass aren't.

[roadwarrior]

It's always hard to tell from a picture,

but I would have guessed either side of 3 lbs

which is pretty close to 2 lb 14 oz.

:

[Bass XL]

Ok, I'll have to agree now, the fish isnt 5 pounds. But It also isnt 2pounds 14 oz.. trust me, Ive cought plenty of 2 pounders to know that that fish is over 3. I'll give it 3 1/2 min. Oh well. Oh and to answer the one question...No, I did not see the other fish get weighed in. It was a weekend long tourney, so you can weigh in your fish at any time you want..

also. This things gut was pretty dam big. It may not look like it from the pic, but it was.

[georgiabassfisherman]

i dont know for sure but from that fishes tail it looks as if it was on the bed or just getting off the bed.

[Mattlures]

If you realy want to know what it weighed go check the scale. Get a 5lb sack of sugar  or flour and weigh it with the scale. That will give you a good idea of how accurate it is. Just a little warning. Most people dont like what  scales tell them when they actualy weigh the fish instead of just guessing. Not trying to pick on you but I remember my first bass that I KNEW was my first 10lber. I was possative. I couldnt believe that my stupid scale was lying to me when it said 8lbs 10.oz. It was obviously off. I had caught 8lbers before so I knew this scale was wrong. Well I checked the scale against 2 others including a certified scale. Guess what..... It was very accurate.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

It's always hard to tell from a picture,

but I would have guessed either side of 3 lbs

which is pretty close to 2 lb 14 oz.

:

X2

You still did well.  Winning isn't everything  2nd place isn't too shabby and there is always next year

[Bass XL]

It's not like I havent cought a decent size bass before. I know what an eight pounder looks and feels like, so I had some idea on a size to compare it to. But like i said oh well. I'm not that upset at all over the whole ordeal, coming back to the camp site , holding my fish up, and seeing the faces on all the little kids, adults, and kids my age was just as good as winning it. Thanks for everyones feedback.

[Jimzee]

It's not like I havent cought a decent size bass before. I know what an eight pounder looks and feels like, so I had some idea on a size to compare it to. But like i said oh well. I'm not that upset at all over the whole ordeal, coming back to the camp site , holding my fish up, and seeing the faces on all the little kids, adults, and kids my age was just as good as winning it. Thanks for everyones feedback.

That right there is the attitude to have. Well done!!

[Needemp]

BassXL, that fish is over 4lbs and is probably close to 5. Don't worry about it if someone tries to claim it is only 3 pounds. You can't tell by a picture. Besides, comparing it to your other keeper shows that is is up there. You had a big bass and should have won. Good job!

[Bass XL]

BassXL, that fish is over 4lbs and is probably close to 5. quote]

glad I'm not the only one that thinks so.