J.Vincent

If these are accurate statistics ; Is it actually possible a shorter Largemouth Bass with Less Girth could weigh the same as a longer LMB with more girth ? And has anyone plugged these numbers into the mathematical projection equation ? Something smells fishy (in other words it doesn’t add up )

Ive never noticed a quality control issue with the Red Eye Shad, but I did have a few of the old Strike King Diamond Shads that would roll over and track awkwardly. Whenever I get a Trap like that, I usually just put a suspend-a-dot on the nose and then tune the line tie, and it keeps them tracking better.

BOSS Outdoors Punch Weight 3/4 to 1oz , with a Craw Illusion Skirt + Trokar Keeper Hook and Yum Christie Craw or Berkley Pit Boss...that setup produced very well for me last year in July !

@MIbassyaker those are solid statistics and it Looks like I under- estimated the potential here in Michigan ! But its amazing, nobody in Michigan has reported a Double Digit since 1999....and of the fish you listed they were all caught in July , and that is generally Post Spawn !

I don’t get on Facebook much but I can try and do some research through another avenue.

This is really good , so here is where Bamfield Dam is: its at the South East End of Alcona Dam Pond on Bamfield Road. The hydro-electric Dam was built there in 1924, and the Dam may have been known by a few different names.

The shape looks exactly like Emerald Shiners and they are very good! But What I meant to say was; do you make a PURPLE Emerald Shiner.....I’ve been looking for Semi-Translucent with purple/silver flake back trailer. Essentially how close can you get to the color in the attached photo ? Or do you only design your tackle for personal use ?

Those are nice looking plastics , do you make one that looks like an Emerald Shiner ?

Awesome, I was just getting ready to do more research and email them. But you beat me to it , hopefully they reply back soon. Ajay , I agree with respect to the 1934 catch, it’s likely a catch that long ago would not be accompanied with supporting stories and proof but instead are just reduced to fishing folklore....but it would be a shame if there were no evidence or news articles remaining about an 11.94lb Michigan Largemouth caught in 1959....considering hand written statistics on paper and articles in newspapers or magazines about Baseball and other sports go back much early than 1959 and I can think of nothing more American than Baseball and Bass Fishing .....so I still have to rationalize that someone had to care enough to save some other type of evidence supporting the 1959 catch....unless of course it was all a ploy to generate population growth and tourism or some way to prove to the public that Hydro-Electric Dams don’t negatively affect the ecology. (I’m not a conspiracy theorist : ) but right now that is one of my theories, and I’m starting to feel like Ace Ventura Fish Detective : )

Okay so where is the actual evidence, information or paperwork that shows: who caught the 11.94 lb bass in 1934 and 1959 ? Who was the Biologist who verified ? Where or how was the Bass weighed ? Where are the pictures ? Why have no other Double Digit Largemouth been reported in Michigan in 60 years ? When some or all of this stuff starts to emerge , I will be more inclined to believe the MI State Largemouth Record : ) Also after talking with my Mom , who was born in 1955. We determined that if the person who caught the 1959 Largemouth Bass from Alcona was 30 or younger when they caught the fish, they could technically still be alive today and/or have children or grandchildren who are alive. So shouldn’t someone have a photo or a story about that catch ?

Thank You A-Jay

That’s interesting , considering the length of the 11.94 lb state record Largemouth from 1934 and 1959 measured 26 and 27 inches respectively...it really leaves us guessing about the weight of the master angler catches from Alpena and Kent County. Why is it the weights aren’t listed ? and where can I get more information about the master angler program ?

This would be an excellent ongoing project; hopefully we can get some more information from other local anglers ! I’ve read this before, in an in-fisherman book, I believe lakes are broadly categorized into 3 stages: Oligotrophic(young) , Mesotrophic(maturing) and Eutrophic(end of cycle). They age in that order; but I’m pretty sure the larger lakes in Michigan are still either late Oligotrophic or Middle Eutrophic with some areas of those lakes which are Eutrophic . And from what you are saying when a Dam is first built on a river and new areas are flooded those areas are very fertile, and in the beginning this would actually accelerate Bass growth rate ? I think this makes sense and could be related with the Alcona Dam Pond Largemouth catch of 11.94lbs In 1959, because according to records that Dam was built in 1924.

It's a fascinating topic of discussion , especially in a northern state where the record for Largemouth goes back to 1934 and 1959. I personally question the reliability of the actual record, because No mention of fishing method or fishing lure was found in the Record ? and because of the bodies of water the fish were caught in. It doesn't seem plausible that a fish of that size could be caught in Big Pine Island Lake and if any of the records were true I would say the Alcona Dam Pond one could be. I really want to break this topic open and do more research and get more insight from others. My present opinion is, if a Northern strain Laregmouth Bass in Michigan were to grow that large, wouldn't it need to have access to deep water with higher than above average winter water temps (naturally spring fed water maybe) along with a massive forage base.....and what bodies of water in Michigan realistically offer the right conditions ?

I’ve been fishing for bass for about 24 or 25 years. Over this time, I’ve only met a few anglers who claim they have caught 10lb Largemouth Bass in Michigan. I usually say “wow that’s great my best Michigan largemouth is 6lb1oz” When I tell them this truth , they usually do one of a few things: 1) They begin inflating their story by telling me every detail about the alleged catch and by the time the story is over, it sounds so ridiculous that there is nothing left to do but chuckle. 2) or They begin backpedaling and usually say “well it looked like a ten pounder but I did leave my scale at home, but I’ve seen ten pounders and this was very close to 10 if not 10. 3)also one person even told me they ate the fish and didn’t realize it was such a monumental catch : ) Either way , I’ve never met a person in real life, who has convinced me there is a 10lb Largemouth in Michigan, or that Michigan waters can grow a 10lb Largemouth. I’ve seen the state record on the DNR webpage and while there are two entries for 11.94 lbs, one was in the mid 1930s and one in the late 1950s. Both of those were reported before the age of technology and well before I was born. Now I’m sorry about this long post, but my actual question is....Does anyone know the person who caught the state record or heard of the story ? How accurate is the record or record keeping ? And is it currently possible that a 10 to 12lb Largemouth Bass could be swimming around somewhere in Michigan waters ? My gut instinct tells me No but I’d like to know what others think !

Rick Clunn competed in that era....and is still competing today; he would know the answer !

I’ve got a picture somewhere of me and my sister Bluegill fishing on a family camping trip; I’m wearing a half top sports jersey which was very popular in the mid to late 1980s; I will save myself the shame and refrain from posting but take my word on this it’s embarrassing....so I’m guessing I’ve been fishing since then so about 35 years....but only 24 years as an avid bass angler !

Have you tried removing the Plastic Trailer ? Or downsizing the Plastic trailer ? Are they only committing to the action on the Trailer and not bringing the jig portion of the lure in for a solid set ? Just a few questions to consider, if none of these apply than I would chalk it up as “just one of those days”. Especially if you have been catching them recently on the same setup.

If a rod doesn't load properly on the cast or if a rod loads too much and the lure is over powering the rod; then usually the rod is isn't ideal for that presentation. I generally base it on the rod lure rating stated by the manufacturer and try to stay within those guidelines !

https://www.saltstrong.com/article_categories/knot-contest/ Most extensive resource I’ve found for knot tying and knot strength contests.

Favorite lure to catch them on: Walk The Dog Topwater, Frog and PropBaits Favorite Lure because it flat out catches a lot of bass: Spinnerbait, Lipless Crank and Tube Jig but these favorites change from year to year !

Most boaters who have experience in the competition side of the sport will state their expectations before the boat is even in the water. If they are covering a special area they will ask for the fishing hole to be kept private and not shared with other anglers. I respect this approach and consider the area as his for the duration of the tournament and even the foreseeable future. This is old school and this is how it should be done. I really don’t think it’s difficult to determine why fish hold in a certain area, so look at all the variables while you are fishing and find another place with similar features . You will become more respected as you respect the boaters wishes , and that will advance you more as a person and angler than returning to another anglers honey hole. Just my 2 cents

Never tried a solid white Senko, but I've thrown plenty of Solid White Trick Worms.

This whole situation seems like an "Enigma" to me : )

Actually yes, I quit my job and quit fishing tournaments in 2005, gave thousands of dollars of gear away then moved to Louisiana to work as a Hurricane Katrina Construction Volunteer. I eventually didn’t know what to do with myself in the evening after my construction shifts and in 2007 I bought one rod/reel and started fishing for Louisiana bass and Monster Gar. When I moved back to Michigan in 2008, I kid you not , it was like someone flipped a switch , because not only was my time away from the sport sort of a rebirth for me mentally, but when I started fishing again I was better able to prioritize and put things in perspective. Ultimately I grew a lot as a person during my hiatus in Louisiana and returned to Michigan as a man not a boy and my decision making became better in every area of my life , including fishing ! So if you ask me, everyone should quit fishing at least once in their life : )