Got out and fished another local pond yesterday while the weather was nice. A storm front was moving and like usual they were biting well before the storm. These are the bass in the order I caught them: 18" 3lb 8oz, 17.75" 3lb 2oz, 19.5" 4lb 7oz, 17.5" 3lb 8oz, and 17" 3lb 2oz.

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb392/bassmaster102/18in3lb8ozlargemouthbassfortjesse.jpg

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb392/bassmaster102/1775in3lb2ozlargemouthbassfortjesse.jpg

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb392/bassmaster102/195in4lb7ozlargemouthbassfortjesse.jpg

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb392/bassmaster102/175in3lb8ozlargemouthbassfortjesse.jpg

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb392/bassmaster102/17in3lb2ozlargemouthbassfortjesse.jpg

Way to go!  Looks like a good start for Illinois !

Nice fish! It feels good to finally get out and catch a few after a long winter doesn't it! 

Nice job!

Wow, that's a strong line up for sure... WTG 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

Way to go!

Im only an hour north of Bloomington and there is still a solid 3 inches of ice on all lakes and ponds around here. Rivers are flooded, so im still waiting to wet the line. With the snow and 20 degree weather, it feels like i wont fish until May.   >

Congrats!

awesome job! id love to have that bag this sat at the BFL tourny at SML!!

Great job!  I cannot wait to get out there myself.

NICE CATCH-ABUSE-N-RELEASE.....KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!!!

Thanks everyone

@ RyneB: I hope you can get out there soon 

@ big t 4488: Abuse and Release?

Thanks everyone

@ RyneB: I hope you can get out there soon

@ big t 4488: Abuse and Release?

People say it's bad for the fish's slime coat when it is laid in grass/boat carpets/etc. 

Nice catches and I'm near chicago and waiting to get out again myself.

Yes abuse you lay them on dried out grass for a mere picture with a tape measure.  Practice catch n release no need to abuse them for pointless picture of a fishing getting tourtured laying on the ground.

Maybe you could just measure them in the water then take a picture holding them. I dont think any one would find fault with your measurements. After all you are a fisherman and they dont lie  ;D but nice fish! Were you using a lipless crank?

Yes abuse you lay them on dried out grass for a mere picture with a tape measure. Practice catch n release no need to abuse them for pointless picture of a fishing getting tourtured laying on the ground.

I have heard that this damages their slime coat, however I've seen many other members take pictures with fish laying on the ground. That being said it doesn't necessarily justify my actions yet I wanted to have proof rather than say that I caught five bass weighing that much. So if you want to help that's fine, but if you're in it to critisize others in a negative/bullying fashion than I would appreciate you keeping your comments to yourself.

@ The Bassinator: Good idea, that or I can just hold them up for a pic  and no I wasn't using a lipless crank, I was using a cotton cordell Big-O

Cool I can't wait to get out and fish again, thanks for the pics but for now I can only dream

Yes abuse you lay them on dried out grass for a mere picture with a tape measure. Practice catch n release no need to abuse them for pointless picture of a fishing getting tourtured laying on the ground.

I have heard that this damages their slime coat, however I've seen many other members take pictures with fish laying on the ground. That being said it doesn't necessarily justify my actions yet I wanted to have proof rather than say that I caught five bass weighing that much. So if you want to help that's fine, but if you're in it to critisize others in a negative/bullying fashion than I would appreciate you keeping your comments to yourself.

Well said...

Congrats on a nice bag

@ The Bassinator: How long until you think you'll be on the water again?

@ evergladesbasser: Thank you sir 

Rather than attack someone for something you think is wrong, take it as an opportunity to educate,and possibly learn something yourself.

There are plenty of articles here that deal with catch and release best practices. Take a look.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fish1.html