Caught this guy for a tournament and didn't have my scale! I also forgot to put my ID code in for the tournament because I was so excited from catching it! How much do you think it weighs? I just started fresh water fishing recently coming from Texas and only fishing salt water. This is my personal best bass! Other than this I've only caught a few small ones. The lure in the picture is what I used on a drop shot! I caught it about three weeks ago. I've only had luck with small presentations so far, not even regular sized. Also since I'm new to this, is this a large mouth or a spotted? How can I tell the difference?

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

Congrats on the Personal Best Bass. 

Can't help you there on the weight of that one.

I'd recommend using length as your PB deal until you get your next PB.

Which could be any day now. . . . 

A-Jay

Welcome aboard!

 

That's a "merp" bass. http://bassblaster.rocks/derp-merps-of-the-week-angry-dudes-break-down-your-flip

 

I'd put the weight at a guestimated 2.5 pounds. 

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

Congrats on the Personal Best Bass. 

Can't help you there on the weight of that one.

I'd recommend using length as your PB deal until you get your next PB.

Which could be any day now. . . . 

A-Jay

Agree with A-jay length is as good as weight. I too now rely more on actual length, not long hand length unless the bass is longer than 20".

But you bass look pretty healthy so I guess 2.5 lbs

Can’t tell you what the wait is but just say 5lbs.  when you tell the story say you forgot the scale but you caught a 5lb bass.  That’s why people have such big personal bests.  But seriously nice catch!

2 

I would guess between 2 and 2-1/2 pounds.

That's a spotted bass I think, the rows of spots below the lateral line are a good indicator, it usually helps to look for a tooth patch on the tongue as well

Start using bigger baits. You will easily top that if you do. Nice start! 

2-2.5 pounds of spotted bass

 

Spots feel different, at least ours do. Their scales feel rough instead of smooth like a smallmouth or largemouth. Easiest way to tell without checking the jawline.