even though it was officially labor day, i still went to work on the bass today.  for some reason, they were really biting good today, and i caught quite a few at one of my favorite little lakes.  i started with a couple of swimbaits but no takers.  had a few follows though, and one BIG one on an outside grass edge in about 4 ft. of water.  even though i was pretty disappointed i couldn't get this fish, i still committed the spot i saw her in to memory.  after all, she musta been at least halfway interested in eating.  

after zeroing on the swimbait, i switched to a t-rigged trick worm and a jig and started cleaning house.  after catching quite a few decent ones, i gave the spot where i had the big follow a shot with the worm but only got a dink there.  threw the jig in there from a different angle, and the deal was closed.  there was no tap or thump, just that tell-tale heavy, mushy feeling.  hammer time.  WHAM!!!  sweet penetration!  hook is set and instantly she shoots off towards deeper water.  after a great battle with several cool jumps and head shakes, she's in my hands.  8-10 on the digi.  released as always.

even though i caught this fish on the mother of all lunker baits, the jig, i have to give the swimbait a huge assist.  this fish gave herself away when she followed the swimbait and without this, i honestly wouldn't have spent much time in that particular area.  i definitely wouldn't have come back with another bait.   again, i have to give credit where it is due.  a guy y'all may know named matt servant taught me this little trick of coming back later with a different bait when a follower won't commit.  just cause they won't hit the swimbait don't mean they won't hit something else.  today's adventure also drives home another very important point that has been stressed on here by much better bassers than me time and time again.  with big fish timing is everything.  honestly, it might not have been so much that she wanted something different than the swimbait.  it mighta been that earlier she just wasn't really ready to fully commit to anything just yet.  coulda been a little of both. :-/  whatever the reason, i'm glad she finally decided to bite.  hope y'all are having a great holiday and catchin' a bunch.    

I'm having a good holiday but it sounds like your's is going so much better!!!

Great Job!!!!

and here's the bait of the day.  if you look real close, you can see it in the corner of the bass' jaw in the picture above too.  

paul, you're such a badass!

i wish my thumb looked like yours, i havent caught a bass in a month, your thumb looks like you catch bass 24hrs a day!

nice goin.

That is an amazing fish and awesome that you went back to catch her.  Congrats on another big one.

what kind of bait is that?

what kind of bait is that?

1/4 oz. oldham's screw lock grass jig.  smoke/red flake skirt.  green pumpkin strike king 3x chunk trailer.

You are the man!!! Another great fish.

Wow, that fish looks WAAAAAAY bigger than 8-10 for some reason.....

nice bud!

Wow, that fish looks WAAAAAAY bigger than 8-10 for some reason.....

nice bud!

I was thinking the same thing.  Nice fish as always.

nice fish paul ! just got my tru-t yesterday! gonna try it out on the gill pond soon. trey caught a lunk like that one today at the golf course lake. looks like labor day was a good day for fishin

That's a good'un Paul and going back for'em is often the way many hit their largest fish. In time past when fighting a rather large fish up to the boat we see "The One" right there with'em. I have rarely caught that fish immediately but more often gone back later and "Fish On". Way to go and great detail on your adventure...felt like I was there.

Big O

I agree w/ fourbizz...Did you weigh that fish multiple times and you got confidence that scale is correct? I've seen quite a few 8s that looked much smaller than this fish.

Either way...thats a beauty and nice work on switching to something she would eat. Fishing is a game of adjustments and you made the right one!

nah rob, i only weighed her once.  was in a hurry to get her back in the lake.  it was pretty hot out there today and i didn't wanna stress her too bad.  i'm pretty sure the scale was right though.  it's just one of those good pictures where i'm holding the fish out pretty far.  the fish did have a long frame though and would easily be capable of being a DD if she'd get a little more meat on her bones.  maybe i'll meet up with her again when she's been eating a little better.  

With that angle it looks huge, but it is still a great fish. Congrats. Jigs will always be big fish catchers.

]WOW!! !

You never cease to amaze me man! That's how it's done right there.

Nice fish Paul! Keep on keepin' on!

Chris

Paul, thats one nice looking hawg you got there.  

Great bass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great fish!

THAT is a HAWG!!  Wow.  

Wow, that fish looks WAAAAAAY bigger than 8-10 for some reason.....

His fish always look bigger than what he says they weigh.  Either he is the best picture taker in the world or has the worst scales in the world.  Nice fish

As always. Great fish!!!

great photographer--its at least 11lbs

That's a man-bear-pig dude. I love the set up to the catch. Makes for good storytelling.

Looks like you are our new resident HAWG-MAN (well you and Fourbizz) since Fish Chris is laying low!

No disrepect to Chris that is.