I caught this LM on a black, long-shank buzz bait right up next to the bank.  It was about 8:30pm and real dark by then.  I already gave up to head home and decided to try a couple more casts.  I got a strike just as I was pulling the lure from the water. I flipped back in about 20 ft out and drew it back in over the same spot a couple times and hit on the second try.

A couple passing by were nice enough to take the picture of me, but pics are all I have to judge the weight of this puppy, so I can use your expertise.  I estimated the length at 21 to 21.5 inches based on the length of the lure.  An online conversion chart put that at between 5.78 - 6.21 lbs.  But I'm a novice on this and could use your help.

amazing catch okrod! That lake sure has some beautiful fish in it.

Hopefully we can fish together on of these times haha.

Matt

very nice fish. i would est around 4.5lbs.  :-[

Nice catch Rich, congrats on the new PB.  I would guess that fish is aroud 4 to 5 lbs. It is time for you to invest in a good scale, they are only around 20 to 30 dollars.

very nice catch rich!

Thanks guys.  I picked up a scale this morning.

i wouldnt hold my prize lure like that either

It's hard to tell from a picture.

They can look much bigger or

smaller than they really are.

I would guess 3-4 lbs.

Nice catch.

Great job on your new PB. I estimate the fish to be between 3-4 pounds

Congrats.  This coming from a Fairfax boy who now lives in NC down on Lake Norman.  I always knew that lake had some big ones it in it but as a kid I was always sneaking around and fishing the golf course ponds with my bike.

Times were different then, you might get yelled at unless you caught a nice one and then the superintendant would want to see it, make you put it back, and then run you off.  Now I guess they'll sue you for trespassing.....  Ah the good old days....

Anyway, good work with that buzzbait.  I hear Burke Lake has a few in it too.  Not sure if it's legal to fish there or not it's been a long time since I was on those waters.

Thanks LKN Bassman.  Burke Lake is public although a bit over fished.