10lb bass caught on public lake on Jefferson Forest

[RoadToad]

This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings. In other words, they're not worried about establishing populations, they're just putting fish in there for people to fish for. These lakes are closely monitored, and there will always be bass in there for people to fish for. What bothers me is seeing people doing catch-and-release on those little bitty stocked trout, and acting all high-and-mighty about it. Those fish are going to die by summer, and all they're doing is accelerating the process, and killing fish for no reason. I had one guy who was doing the catch/release trout thing offer me one of the fish he caught, because it was gut-hooked and would likely die. He actually got huffy with me when I politely declined to keep his 9" trout. My feeling is, if you're not willing to keep and eat the occasional gut-hooked fish, you have no business out there fishing.

[mike4bass]

I don't post allot, but here goes nothing. I have caught a big 10 lb + bass before. I let her go about her day after the photos. I would like to point out that it was my personal choice, for what I wanted, her genes needed to be passed on to the lake population. Having said that, the boy has my blessing keeping that bass. It was ultimately his choice, and I harbor no bad feelings about it.

[Shimano4Life]

I don't post allot, but here goes nothing. I have caught a big 10 lb + bass before. I let her go about her day after the photos. I would like to point out that it was my personal choice, for what I wanted, her genes needed to be passed on to the lake population. Having said that, the boy has my blessing keeping that bass. It was ultimately his choice, and I harbor no bad feelings about it.

I would say 9 out of 10 agree.........brown or green, if it was 10lbs+ it would be on my wall above the mantle for all to see. When fish get that big, they are not going to live much longer anyway. The fish had a good run, and congrats to the young man who caught her. It will leave a lasting impression on him for the rest of his life, not to mention a decoration to take with him anywhere he ventures in life. Just my opinion.

[Fntsyfbgod]

This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings. In other words, they're not worried about establishing populations, they're just putting fish in there for people to fish for. These lakes are closely monitored, and there will always be bass in there for people to fish for. What bothers me is seeing people doing catch-and-release on those little bitty stocked trout, and acting all high-and-mighty about it. Those fish are going to die by summer, and all they're doing is accelerating the process, and killing fish for no reason. I had one guy who was doing the catch/release trout thing offer me one of the fish he caught, because it was gut-hooked and would likely die. He actually got huffy with me when I politely declined to keep his 9" trout. My feeling is, if you're not willing to keep and eat the occasional gut-hooked fish, you have no business out there fishing.

Absolutely. Catfish, Crappie, Trout and most other species are a different ballgame. Their are plenty of species that are numerous in good size and grow quick. Bass, Muskie, and trophy fish are much more valuable to a fishery. And I dont mind keeping a few keeper bass from a huge lake occasionally and if a fish is obviously going to die keep it regardless if possible. But small lakes are a different story they get over fished so easy. And while I will never fish this lake my opinion is the fact the keep putting small bass in it to get harvested makes the big fish that much more valuable. But I wish the kid well or anyone who keeps a trophy its just that I wish they would making our small lakes great for bass and let people harvest other fish if they want.

[270Coastal]

This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings. In other words, they're not worried about establishing populations, they're just putting fish in there for people to fish for. These lakes are closely monitored, and there will always be bass in there for people to fish for. What bothers me is seeing people doing catch-and-release on those little bitty stocked trout, and acting all high-and-mighty about it. Those fish are going to die by summer, and all they're doing is accelerating the process, and killing fish for no reason. I had one guy who was doing the catch/release trout thing offer me one of the fish he caught, because it was gut-hooked and would likely die. He actually got huffy with me when I politely declined to keep his 9" trout. My feeling is, if you're not willing to keep and eat the occasional gut-hooked fish, you have no business out there fishing.

Those little bitty stocked trout probably helped that 10 lb. bass get to 10 lbs.

[WwiskerswW]

I know if my grandpa caught that fish, it would have ended up in the skillet, and tasted great! You could have admired the size of the fish by looking at its head that was hanging in the tree next to his house.

As kids growing up it was a pretty site to see how grandpa did at the lake. The next best thing was when you got to eat, and hang your first big bass head on the tree next to your grandpa's.

[TRACKER MAN]

I know if my grandpa caught that fish, it would have ended up in the skillet, and tasted great! You could have admired the size of the fish by looking at its head that was hanging in the tree next to his house.

As kids growing up it was a pretty site to see how grandpa did at the lake. The next best thing was when you got to eat, and hang your first big bass head on the tree next to your grandpa's.

Good Stuff.... These are just fish people, just like Bucks or Toms. We don't let them walk in November. And I'm not about to let that fish get away. If I catch a 10lb Bass I would mount it for sure. To each his own.

[Dr. Phil]

This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings.

OK.....Here is my 2 cents worth. Bass are no longer stocked in FINS lakes because of the expense. Tom Wallace was last bass-stocked in 2007. Clearly this fish was not one of the last stock. Tom Wallace does get regular stocking of trout and bluegill. It does get a LOT of fishing pressure. On any given weekend, when the weather cooperates, you can hardly find a spot to bank fish. This 10¼ lb'er was a miracle catch on this lake (pond).

Now, for the 5 cents worth.....Has anyone noticed that even though this kid caught a trophy bass, he had NO IDEA what he had....Even his dad said that he thought it was a tarpon.

Man, and we call ourselves 'Bass' fishermen and this kid takes the cream-of-the-crop without even knowing what he had. The kid probably didn't know the difference between a bass and a carp....His dad definitely didn't know.

Congrats to the kid for catching a big'un


"Kids who fish, hunt and trap don't steal, deal and murder"

[RoadToad]

OK.....Here is my 2 cents worth. Bass are no longer stocked in FINS lakes because of the expense. Tom Wallace was last bass-stocked in 2007.

KDFWR put 500 bass in Tom Wallace on 10/23/2008:
http://fw.ky.gov/finsfallbassstockings.asp

There was a gentleman from KDFWR there doing creel surveys when I was there yesterday morning. Talking with him, I got the impression that FiNs stockings were still going strong.

[Dr. Phil]

KDFWR put 500 bass in Tom Wallace on 10/23/2008:
http://fw.ky.gov/finsfallbassstockings.asp

There was a gentleman from KDFWR there doing creel surveys when I was there yesterday morning. Talking with him, I got the impression that FiNs stockings were still going strong.

I was told that the KDFWR quit stocking largemouth in 2007 but did stock striped bass in 2007 and 2008. I should have specified largemouth bass in my previous post. Tom Wallace and other FINS lakes do get trout, catfish, and sunfish. This is just what I was told by a trusted source and by no means should be taken as gospel.



"Kids who fish, hunt and trap don't steal, deal and murder"

[RoadToad]

I was told that the KDFWR quit stocking largemouth in 2007 but did stock striped bass in 2007 and 2008. I should have specified largemouth bass in my previous post. Tom Wallace and other FINS lakes do get trout, catfish, and sunfish. This is just what I was told by a trusted source and by no means should be taken as gospel.



"Kids who fish, hunt and trap don't steal, deal and murder"

No disrespect to your "trusted source," but they're wrong on this one. KDFWR did actually try stocking hybrids in Tom Wallace, Miles, and a couple of the other FiNs lakes in 2007. It was a miserable failure, not likely to be repeated. But they're still putting largemouth in there regularly.