This past Tuesday, my day off, I walked down to the bayou up the street. Got there approximately 11:20am. Started out throwing lipless crankbaits, a couple different colors. No takers. So I decided to throw two different jigs, a 1/2oz football and a 1/4oz bitsy flipping jig. No takers. I varied the cadences and all, still nothing. Turned to my spinning gear and throwing Rage Bugs, Max Scent version of the Rage Bug, Ol' Monsters, Senko style worms all Texas rigged weightless and even tried a wacky rig with the Senko styles. Nothing. So I changed back and forth between those baits, because that's all I really brought with me. Trying to simplify things more than I have been. Still nothing doing. I looked at my phone to check the time and it was 7:25pm. I decided to Texas rig a blacklight Zoom Z Craw on my spinning gear weightless and make a few more casts before heading home. 3 casts later this massive 7lb 4oz big momma bit. I set the hook and was like cool I'm not gonna get skunked and it's a decent fish. As I reeled her in, the closer she got to me she decided to make a last effort lunge away from me. That's when I felt the true weight and knew I had a big un on. Got her to the bank and tried lifting her up to me, rod bending over pretty good. Didn't want to break my rod, I landed her on the bank just out of the water. The bank was still a little muddy and slick from all the rain we'd had up to that point, but I had to get her in my hands for weight, pics and all. I eased down, so not to slip into the water and I grabbed her by the bottom lip and hoisted her up. I was hooping and hollering "Thank You Jesus!" Got my weight, pics and all, released her and tried a few more casts. Nothing else and it was getting pretty dark so I headed to the house. Wasn't the day for quantity, but was an awesome day for quality. The only bite I got, but was the best bite I've had(basswise) in a long time. I can feel it now. It's not gonna be long til I get that trophy bass! Sorry I'm not on here much, been trying to put all the great info I've gotten from here to use and I've gotten to get out more than normal to fish. Thank y'all for everything y'all taught me and I'm passing it along to my customers at work. God Bless you all and I love you all! Have a very Blessed day! ????

Congrats on that Chunk!!

Congrats on the new PB Michael. Don't forget to change your profile to 7-8lbs. 

3 minutes ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Congrats on that Chunk!!

Thanks man! I've only caught 7 so far this year and 2lbs 6oz is the smallest. I've caught a 4lb 8oz, 3lb, 2lb 6oz, 2lb 9oz, 2lb 11oz, 2lb 13oz and a 7lb 4oz. It's been a pretty good year thus far. Gonna try my luck at Caney Lakes in Minden on my next day off. Heard some good ones have been coming out of there lately.

1 minute ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Congrats on the new PB Michael. Don't forget to change your profile to 7-8lbs. 

Thank you sir! Yes that's what I'm fixing to do now.

Wow, she's got a loaded belly! Congrats!!

1 minute ago, Darren. said:

Wow, she's got a loaded belly! Congrats!!

Thank you sir! Gotta go get ready for work now. Have a Blessed day my friend!

Nice fish, GREAT pics!

 

Cabin fever. Thank god someone’s catchin! I can live through pictures like this.

Congrats, enjoy the high!

What a Great Bass !

Congrats on your new PB 

and Welcome to the 7 lb Club. 

A-Jay

 

 

7lb is a memorable milestone for sure, congrats!

Now that's a Donkey! Congrats!

Congrats man that is a pig!!

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

What a Great Bass !

Congrats on your new PB 

and Welcome to the 7 lb Club. 

A-Jay

 

 

Thank you sir! It's nice to finally make it to the 7lb club. Next goal is the trophy club 10lbs or better. You know my last PB 4lbs 8oz was caught with the Rayburn red craw Booyah One Knocker that you sent me last year. Was actually the first time I used it. Haven't really thrown alot of crankbaits, lipless or otherwise. That's changed now that I've built some confidence in them.

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

7lb is a memorable milestone for sure, congrats!

Thank you sir! I'll definitely never forget it, even if/when I beat it.

big congrats!!! wow what a fat girl! good to hear from you ben wondering how you have ben doing. heck of a way to start this year off 

That’s a nice hang there, congratulations on the new PB!

That's a nice one! Welcome to the 7lb club! I got my 7lb PB on Feb 26th and I'm still on the hunt for her big sister!

 

I kayak fish and never have anybody around when I catch the bigger ones to get a photo of me holding it. I'm hoping someday I'll be fortunate enough to catch a nice one with somebody close enough to snap a photo or two for me. 

Nice bass! Congrats on your PB! I hope to someday join you in the 7 pound club.

On 3/25/2019 at 12:19 AM, MichaelCopeland said:

Thank you sir! It's nice to finally make it to the 7lb club. Next goal is the trophy club 10lbs or better.

You should come to Alabama for that. 5 pounders are not uncommon in the pond I fish. Probably partly because of their genetics, and there are so many huge gizzard shad for them to feast on. Whatever it is, they get huge. 

That's a beauty for sure! Congrats @MichaelCopeland, looks like your patience won out on this day.

Congratulations @MichaelCopeland on your new Personal Best! Nice pictures of ‘ole Big Belly Nellie and your perseverance definitely paid off! Continued good fishing to you sir, JB 

On 3/25/2019 at 7:51 AM, lonnie g said:

big congrats!!! wow what a fat girl! good to hear from you ben wondering how you have ben doing. heck of a way to start this year off 

Been doing good. Just working hard and doing some fishing every chance I get.

3 hours ago, kenmitch said:

That's a nice one! Welcome to the 7lb club! I got my 7lb PB on Feb 26th and I'm still on the hunt for her big sister!

 

I kayak fish and never have anybody around when I catch the bigger ones to get a photo of me holding it. I'm hoping someday I'll be fortunate enough to catch a nice one with somebody close enough to snap a photo or two for me. 

There's nobody around when I catch them usually. I have a forward facing camera on my phone and take selfies. They may not always turn out the best, but at least I get the documentation of it.

2 hours ago, Boomstick said:

Nice bass! Congrats on your PB! I hope to someday join you in the 7 pound club.

You will. I have faith. Never give up, especially this time of year. 

2 hours ago, EGbassing said:

You should come to Alabama for that. 5 pounders are not uncommon in the pond I fish. Probably partly because of their genetics, and there are so many huge gizzard shad for them to feast on. Whatever it is, they get huge. 

Maybe one day I'll be able to make it out that way. It would be awesome to hook up with you and do some fishing, 10lbers or not.

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

That's a beauty for sure! Congrats @MichaelCopeland, looks like your patience won out on this day.

Patience did win for sure that day. I've been more calm and positive thinking these days while out fishing. If I get frustrated, it's due to unusually bad backlash or way too many snags. I don't even get frustrated when I get skunked. So far I've been catching more than getting skunked. I've been out about 10 times this year and caught a bass or two on 6 or 7 of those outings. I owe it to the Good Lord for giving me the patience, peace of mind and being able to use the knowledge I have in accomplishing that.

1 hour ago, J._Bricker said:

Congratulations @MichaelCopeland on your new Personal Best! Nice pictures of ‘ole Big Belly Nellie and your perseverance definitely paid off! Continued good fishing to you sir, JB 

Thank you sir! Continued good fishing to you and everyone as well. May we all catch a new PB this year and every year for here on out.

16 minutes ago, MichaelCopeland said:

 Maybe one day I'll be able to make it out that way. It would be awesome to hook up with you and do some fishing, 10lbers or not.

 ? Awesome fish by the way! 

5 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

 ? Awesome fish by the way! 

Thank you sir! ?