Set-up: Okuma 7'11" H, Cardiff 401A, 25 lb Big Game, 8" Huddleston Deluxe ROF5 in rainbow trout.

Fish went 9 lbs 7 ozs, and is for Wayne C.

The last month has been pretty bad for me swimbait-wise. Only caught half a dozen 2# on Matt's bluegills- I believe those would have hit anything swimming by them, and a couple of 5# from beds. Not counting the 2 lb-ers, this was the first swimbait bite I got in the last 80 hours of big bait fishing.

My new swimbaiting hole wasn't producing, so I trudged over to my old one to see what's up. I fished in pouring rain for 4 hours, and finally hooked up with the fish. I was fishing from the top of a big rock; fell and slipped from it when trying to land the fish. Miraculously, all my bones still seem intact, and the fish remained on!

A ton of thanks to Matt (Mattlures), Steve P, Arden, Greg (GGR), (Mike) Gilbert, Kirke (gman), Danny K.. Also to the other Greg (NGAHB). You guys are the reason I'm still chucking big baits.

A special thanks to Mr. Chan. He caught and released a bass just 4 ozs lighter, less than a quarter of a mile from where I caught this one today. It might have been the same fish.

P.S. The rope in the first picture goes through the gills of the fish, and allows me to keep the fish in the water without lipping it. The first big bass I caught this year got off before I could weigh it while I was holding her in the water by her lip..

P.P.S. Sorry for the crappy pics. The flash refused to work. This fish deserves better pictures.

Like times 10!!! Atta Boy DEEEEEP!!!!!

So stoked for you man! I know your heart was going like crazy! all that hard work pays off! it's a sweet, sweet feeling man!

Freaking nice fish dude! Hahaha so stoked for you man!

Congrats! Thats a beast!

Jeff

Congrats on one heck of a bass!!!!!

Beautiful Mama Bass and WTG!!!

www.ragetail.com

awesome fish man and In VA thats a dandy!!! CONGRATS

Deep, that's a Commonwealth of Virginia, Trophy Bass for certain.

Holy cow, man that's a nice one!

Beautiful fish man! All that patience and hard work paid off for you big time!

Congrats on the PB !

That's a Real Trophy Bass.

A-Jay

Nice fish!

_{Good Stuff!}

Big and fat!

Thanks guys. It means a lot.

Went out yesterday evening again for 3 hours, and got skunked. Not even a follow.

Congrats on your new PB. Definitely a trophy!

Wow amazing fish!

Nice fish, I am extremely jealous!