OK let me try this again I got this all typed out and their was an error and I didn't copy it!

So I went to Gander Mt. today to replace my Rat L Trap that I had lost last time out. I went in and found one that looked just like a baby bass and thought what the heck. I also found a Bomber Crank on clearance, and a Rapala J7. Since it was 75 out after being 50 all week and raining I decided to take advantage of the last couple hours of light. I put the trap on my line and walk to my spot on the shore line. As i walk up to my spot i put my tackle box down and throw the lure out walking up to my spot. I get about 15 or 20 cranks into my retrieve and WAM! It was an instant strike i was not expecting but set the hook to make sure. The fish was swimming towards me so i thought it was fairly small. Then all of a sudden it didn't like where it was going and she turned to run. I am on a Light action rod with a light action spinning real and when she turned they started screaming! I almost had the rod ripped outta my hand not expecting that turn. I tightened down the drag a little as i was making no gain on her. I kept my tip down not wanting her to jump to much in case she wasn't hooked well. About 15 feet from shore i see a boil that i have only seen on TV! (normally only get 1-1.5 lbs) Then all of a sudden a huge splash. I pull her to the shore and grab her pulling her out just amazed at her size! She did not look like she was caught much or at all with a perfect mouth with no holes. I snapped a few pics and let her go hoping for a day down the road to do it again. I pulled a Mike Ike I was yelling and screaming at this pond all alone just shaking with excitement! From the Fish Calculator that is on this site it said she was about 4.75 lbs. I guessed between 4-5lbs at the pond. I laid her next to my rod so i could measure it when i got home. She was 20.25 inches! Let me know what you think she weighed i know its hard in pics but just for fun!

Have no idea why that second pic wont go into the frame. I lowered the res and cropped it three times and that one just wont stay in the frame.

that is one FAT fish !  

-Jason

Nice fish.Congrats on your new PB.

Man what an awesome day for you. I caught a fish last year that looked just a little smaller ( I know pictures can be deceiving) and it weighed 5 on the dot by my scales I would guess somewhere between 4 and 1/2 and 5 and 1/2.  

Either way awesome fish and awesome day for you.

Yes i know pics can be a little misleading. I need to get a scale and i thought about it today but thought i should save my money since it wasnt likely i would catch one soon big enough to weigh. I know it was about 20.25 - 20.5 inches but i need to get a flexible tape measure and scale so this doesnt happen again but WOW. i am still amazed that that fish came out of the pond i was at!

What I was getting at is that I know the feeling you experienced, that 5 pounder has been my PB,   I posted pics and had both those who said they agreed and those who disagreed with the weight my scale measured .  I say if your heart was pumping  and you were smiling from ear to ear that it was an awesome day for you.  The more bass I catch the less I care about the size,  to me its more of the experience.

 That being said if a DD decides to take one of my lures I won't argue.

;D

LOL i agree... I dont mind the size but like you said Man when one like that hits your heart stops and starts jumping and you cant stop smiling! It was amazing Hope another day like this happens again for all of us soon

Nice fish you got there.

very nice and congrats big time.  rattle baits rock.

Nice fish .Save up your money and get a good scale.

Thanks Bass... What is a good scale in your opinion or other peoples opinion also?

Have no idea why that second pic wont go into the frame. I lowered the res and cropped it three times and that one just wont stay in the frame.

what camera did u use to take those pics ?

Congrats on the new PB, that is one nice looking hawg.

Jesse its a Nikon CoolPix point and shoot. Its 10 Mega Pix. Finally got the pic to work last night although still cant get the one in the frame still as you can see

Congrats, that's a solid fish.  

Congrats!  That fish is a beauty.

Beautiful fish!  Congratulations.

Very nice fish!!  A PB feels great whether it's 2 pounds or 12.  I'd definitely say yours was 4.5lbs +.

Yeah it sure does feel great. Gonna be kinda hard to break that one anytime soon. Just started fishing 4 months ago and to get something like that is AWESOME! Cant believe it took me so long to get back into fishing!

Awesome fish man!!

Good job man! That is a very nice looking fish.

Dont think you cant beat it cause there is probably bigger in there you have yet to catch.

Maybe I should come out there and fish with you sometime, that spot looks sweet.

Nice fish. Congrats on the new Pb!  ;D

Sweet

Thanks guys for all the congrats. Hope that everyone has tight lines and new PB's soon