23.5 Inch Bass...

[Swimmer]

I understand your concern about the "lip-gripper", there having been numerous studies on Musky mortality when they are held by the gill-plate and not supported on the belly at the same time. That being said, to my knowledge a largemouth bass has a quite different anatomy and holding the fish with this divice is no different than liping it with your fingers. I commonly see fisheries biologists and professional fishermen lip-grabbing their large bass. The lip-gripper is also very handy for holding the fish in the water while removing the hooks boatside. Ever had a two pound hammer-handle with your Musky lure in him start thrashing when you are removing the hooks? Even with a plyers, you are asking for stitches. Also this tool does not actually pinch through the skin, it closes down to a milimeter or two opening. Again, I can see how it "looks" kind of strange, but the tool also allowed us to hold her in the water for about 30 seconds while removing the hook and readying the "camera"; so as to have her out of the water for only 15-20 seconds for the photo. Good fishin.

[river rat316]

15 lb Walleye? I'd shake it off at the boat..... Fight like a wet tshirt...well one that big might be more like a log!

[WigglinMyWorm]

It was said in fun not to be mean spirited.....If i insulted you i apologize.....and yes everyone has a right to an opinion.

[Ole the Guide]

Swimmer and Lady friend,

It seems as if people are getting way too serious about a fishing outing that just happened to end up with an awesome fish! You guys should be proud as heck! You were out there on the lake having a good time and got to catch a real lunker! You did the right thing! My God! Take a quick photo and release the beast! We're only human! The monster is still out there swimming, waiting for you to come back when season opens! Oh by the way, what lake did you say you were on? Just Kidding! Heh-heh! Whenever I'm asked what lake I was fishing on I tell them Mud Lake! That always shuts them up!

Way to go girl! You rock!

Ole

[Paul Waldowski]

Ole,

Great attitude and great post

[DTro]

I betchya it was either caught on Mud Lake, Long Lake, or Fish Lake

[TurnUpTheFishing]

My money is on Bass Lake

[OnTheWater]

I can't believe how this post went from a great story, to a complete investigation of this guy's outing and fishing credibility. As Ole said, be proud of the fish, even though it was a mistake. Even some of my biggest fish were caught by mistake...big deal. Also, they were using a 1'' rapala, not the ideal trophy bass lure. Second, the lip grabber may not support the fish very well, but it does prevent any of the fish's protective slime from being rubbed off. Third, I think a CO would be happier than mad about how they handled the fish. It could have been a lot worse; it could have been someone else who caught the fish, they could have held onto the fish for minutes, or even tossed it in the livewell to show friends at the dock. Swimmer obviously has a well understanding of the regs, and knew that it had to be released ASAP. Sorry for sounding so negative, but it seems that whenever someone catch's a possible record fish or fish out of season, that everyone has to question the person as a true sportsmen. Please, give the guy a break.

[Bigsmitty]

Yeah I cant believe the hype about taking a picture. I wonder what the dnr would do if they saw someone who didnt know better, pinning the bass down on a carpet boat deck and commiting major surgery to get a deep hook out. In my opinion theres much more harmful things then taking a quick snapshot. Congrats on the nice pig. I had artistic anglers out of duluth do a 22 1/2 that I CPR. Its about 8 years old and looks brand new.

[woodcock]

Two years ago, a buddy of mine caught a 24" largemouth (in season) off of my dock at a St. Cloud area lake. He has since passed away and the fish is on his parents wall as a bright memory. We never even thought about it being a state record. What is the state record? You should see this thing, I can fit my fist in it's mouth. Very curious to say the least...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

The old record was 8lbs 13oz. the new is 8lbs. 15oz. That fish would probably give either fish a run for its money. What its girth? Thier are formulas for figuring out weight from measurements.

[LEECH21]

Quote:

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I had artistic anglers out of duluth do a 22 1/2 that I CPR. Its about 8 years old and looks brand new.

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Bigsmitty, would it be possible for you to post a pic of your mount on the forum. Or maybe you could email a pic to me at jjserbus at yahoo (Contact US Regarding This Word). I caught a 22 inch largemouth and wanted to have Artistic Anglers do the mount, but I haven't seen any of their bass work. Thanks

[Swimmer]

TurnUp: we wanted to get her back into the H20 as soon as possible without funbling around trying to find the flexible measuring tape (we used a measuring stick for the length)...so no girth measurement. The State record was 18", so I'm guessing that (or more since she was full of eggs). We're going to have Artistic Anglers do the repo. for $12.5/inch. THe wife is exited.

[Bigsmitty]

Leech21 you've got mail. I also sent a picture of my 31 1/2" walleye that I had them do.

[woodcock]

I will get measurments from the mount this weekend and post next week.

[LEECH21]

Quote:

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Leech21 you've got mail. I also sent a picture of my 31 1/2" walleye that I had them do.

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Bigsmitty, can you please try to send those again. For some odd reason it didn't go??? [email protected]

Thanks

[DTro]

Quote:

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The State record was 18",

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Wow, I betchya a lot of "records" have been caught then