How big was it?

[safetybass]

Powerdive, I have to agree with P-man that you were low on that fish. Unless the pot belly was due to birth defect, or enjoying the High Life like me, that fish was at least 8. Big variation in weights based on health and feeding habits of the fish. Mid winter, not the bass' heaviest time. I think they bulk up a little going into winter, then slim down a little as they ride out the slower metabolism. Come spring, they feed up and females develop eggs causing belly enlargment, but their weight doesn't vary enough from spawning to drop a whole pound. I have caught 22" fish that weighed 6 +, and I caught one years back that was 26 3/4" but only weighed 7-4. That fish was skinny because of a lack of forage. No, that fish was really, really skinny. Depending on how much gut and shoulders your fish had, it could have been 9.

[DShootnstGentemn]

Originally posted by BornBad; DSG, my fish looks bigger

Oh really?
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NOW who's looks bigger? And note; I didn't even have to extend my arms all the way out front of me!

[powerdive]

It really was the stockiest bass I ever saw, and made for a nice memory that y'all are helping me relive. Thanks to everyone! pd

[BornBad]

@ DSG: , Ok, yours is bigger - mine was only 23"

I held that bass out as far as I could and I leaned way back .

[Jonesey]

Ha Mike!! It's your Bass! You can make it weigh anything you want!! If it was mine, {by this time}, it would probably weigh 10# or more!!!
Great Bass anyway!!!!! PS--I think it would go over 8#!!!

[buckeye]

Congrats on catching a great bass powerdive. More important than what it weighed is the fact that you applied the "FREE THE FIGHTER" technique!

Congrats again!