Fish Tales: Missed It By That Much

 

In the state of Massachusetts there is a program called the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program that recognizes anglers who catch certain sized species of fish.

 

Throughout the years of my fishing experience, I was somewhat aware of the program but never paid attention to it. Until about two years ago, my friend took me to this pond and he caught two monsters of a fish. I too caught some big ones but not quite as big as his. Like a light bulb that was turned on, the award program came to mind. I told him those fish must be fit within the award program specs. 

 

I think what triggered the brain was that we were catching big ones. Not just one, but multiple big ones. My friend caught the biggest of that trip. 

After that day of fishing I checked the award stats and I was convinced he would have received two awards for that day.

 

Then what kept the program alive in my brain were the grandkids. I've taken my grandkids fishing a few times and left the measuring board home and wouldn't you know it. They have caught a fish that would have earned them a youth award.

 

In each instance, they thought they ran into a snag. "Hey, Pepe' (I'm a Pepe), I think I'm snagged". I reply, "OK, let's turn to the snag and see if we can free you". As we approach the "snag", suddenly a fish leaps into the air. The grandchild cries out, "It's going to snap my line!" I'm astonished and exclaim, "O, that's a big fish". The fish swam in a helter skelter pattern but we land it.

As a result, I printed out the award stats. I keep it and the measuring board with me. We don't chase or fish specifically for the awards, but when we come across a big one, we are ready. I whip out the measuring board and compare it to the stats. And maybe just maybe...

I’m not normally an “awards” type of guy but when I was guiding, it was nice to have the Master Angler certification for bass and size citations for the species you fish for.  I had 5 bass citations in one year and I had some crappie citations as well with clients.  Most recently I got a citation for catching 3 species of bass in one season except I caught them all in 1 day.  😂 

Iowa also has a Master Angler award.

 

My goal this year was to get one for a couple of different species but failed.

 

Bluegill and Largemouth

 

I really didn't go after bluegills this year, came close with the bass.

 

Season ain't over yet.   

I got an award from the state of WA in 1983.  It was a $50 citation for fishing with an expired fishing license.  It was easy to get, but I haven't  tried to get another one.  

24 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Iowa also has a Master Angler award.

 

My goal this year was to get one for a couple of different species but failed.

 

Bluegill and Largemouth

 

I really didn't go after bluegills this year, came close with the bass.

 

Season ain't over yet.   

I tried hard for bass as well. But the one flipping day I got one over 20 inches I didn’t have a measuring tape in my bag. I submitted it anyway but got rejected 

14 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

I tried hard for bass as well. But the one flipping day I got one over 20 inches I didn’t have a measuring tape in my bag. I submitted it anyway but got rejected 

 

There's a good chance I got one last year but didn't have a scale or my measuring board.

 

Someone asks me what my PB is I really don't even have a good answer. I've never weighed a fish until a month ago and some not even measured.

 

Now that I have a scale, I did a "PB Reset" a month ago.

 

It currently sits at 3.4 lb.

 

Have to start somewhere.

 

36 minutes ago, king fisher said:

I got an award from the state of WA in 1983.  It was a $50 citation for fishing with an expired fishing license.  It was easy to get, but I haven't  tried to get another one.  

 

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

There's a good chance I got one last year but didn't have a scale or my measuring board.

 

Someone asks me what my PB is I really don't even have a good answer. I've never weighed a fish until a month ago and some not even measured.

 

Now that I have a scale, I did a "PB Reset" a month ago.

 

It currently sits at 3.4 lb.

 

Have to start somewhere.

 

I took a pic against my rod and measured. Then used a calculator so I have a rough idea. I got a new tape and will be buying an actual scale for next year.  No more unknown lol. I never wanted a scale because I figured I’d never catch big fish after I got one haha. 
 

man that’s solid fish for Iowa tho!!!

@king fisher That was almost 43 year ago. I'd wager you could beat that record if you try again.😁

The state of Kentucky has a trophy fish program. Once you catch 3 trophy fish of different species, they will award you "Master Angler".

 

I have 2 fish that would have qualified for a trophy fish. 1 gar, and one bluegill.

 

The trophy bluegill requirements is 10" or more. The one I measured was 11" and weighed 1 pound even.

 

I didn't have a camera with me for the bluegill, and I didn't think about it for the gar, though I had everything needed and did get a picture.

4 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

The state of Kentucky has a trophy fish program. Once you catch 3 trophy fish of different species, they will award you "Master Angler".

 

I have 2 fish that would have qualified for a trophy fish. 1 gar, and one bluegill.

 

The trophy bluegill requirements is 10" or more. The one I measured was 11" and weighed 1 pound even.

 

I didn't have a camera with me for the bluegill, and I didn't think about it for the gar, though I had everything needed and did get a picture.

There is always next year. I’m just gonna fish like I always have. But if I catch a big one this coming year I’ll have the stuff needed to document it properly lol. 

Georgia has a couple of award catagories.  Bass Slam and big fish awards.  There are 10 species of bass in Georgia but only 8 are counted, Alabama and Spotted bass plus LM and Florida Bass are counted combined.  If you catch 5 or more species you get a Bass Slam certificate, decals of the fish you catch, tickets for Go Fish Center in Perry and a chance for a grand prize.  Big Fish Awards come with a certificate, T-shirt and a personalized cap.

On 11/11/2025 at 12:56 PM, king fisher said:

I got an award from the state of WA in 1983.  It was a $50 citation for fishing with an expired fishing license.  It was easy to get, but I haven't  tried to get another one.  

Please say more. I like getting awards that are easy to get…

19 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Please say more. I like getting awards that are easy to get…

Pretending there isn't a difference between 8 and 9 ducks will easily get you the same reward from the same friendly folks in WA.  This happened to a friend of mine.  We both started first grade at the same school together.  I still count on my fingers, he got an A in math and doesn't use his fingers.  It cost him $100. 

I got one those citations 2 years ago for fishing without a license on the Delaware river in NY.

My license expired 2 days earlier, we've been going there for 15 years to a friends outing there and it was always on the free fishing weekend.

Well that time it was a week before the free fishing weekend, completely my fault.

Cost me 80$, lesson learned. 

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

Pretending there isn't a difference between 8 and 9 ducks will easily get you the same reward from the same friendly folks in WA.  This happened to a friend of mine.  We both started first grade at the same school together.  I still count on my fingers, he got an A in math and doesn't use his fingers.  It cost him $100. 

I have a friend who still counts on his fingers.  He’s a carpenter and can only  count to 8 1/2.

On 11/11/2025 at 12:46 PM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Master Angler

 

We use the In-Fisherman Master Angler to score fish by length for my annual work fishing contest.

 

In 25 years, only one person has ever won with a largemouth bass because the trophy standard is absurd in region 1: 22 inches.  I've never even SEEN a largemouth that big here.

 

But the smallmouth version wins frequently, because that trophy standard is only 20 inches.  I entered a 20 1/4 inch smallmouth in May.  The winner is announced in December.

 

https://www.in-fisherman.com/content/master-angler/375360

 

During my earliest seasons, both my wife & I submitted a few "citation" SMB and 1 LMB.

It was nice getting the certificates and super basic patches from the state.

I have since stopped doing it mostly because the officials

keep telling me that Lake Menderchuck isn't a real lake ?

Also rumor has it that  @Dwight Hottle has a boatload of state citations and patches for SMB.

#impressive

A-Jay

 

 

I collected a few in my younger days from the In-Fisherman program.