Heck man, I was so tore up from gettin' in. I was by myself in really tight timber fishing with light line. I set the hook and it took off pulling, turning and fighting. I knew it was a good fish. It got over in some thick small limbs and I could not get to the back of the boat for the net. I used the trolling motor and just barged into the thick stuff and had to reach down into the water and get the dang thing by the mouth/jaw. I had to unhook it under the water to get it in. There were a couple of guys around 100 yards up in from of me watching the whole thing unfold. I pulled it out and was like "wow" that is a pretty fish. I was rushing around from the "fight" and then my scale would not come on. I measured it as fast as I could and put it back. Set down and said "DANG" I should have laid it down and got some pictures of it on my boat floor but oh well.

As far as putting it back. I really don't care for them to eat. Now if I catch a 10lb+, it will go on the wall. I eat a bunch of crappie, walleye, flathead, hybrids and whites but not the large mouth. I just love to catch them!

Quote Originally Posted by smljaw View Post
You're a good man, Fred! It's good to see people release REALLY BIG BASS back into KY waters. And that, my friend, is a goodun! Did you take some pics?

I caught and released an 8 from KY a few years ago. I snapped a few good pictures and had no problem releasing her to swim and fight again.