I went out yesterday, caught a bunch, all were healthy, stout bass, including 2 running 2.5, 1 was 16" 3lbs. and some really chunky little guys. But when i hooked onto what looked like a monster in the water, i was kind of urked to see it weigh in at 4 lbs. 4 oz. It looked like a 6 lber in the water since it was over 20" long for sure, and i stuck my fist in it's mouth with over and inch to spare around my hand. Its head was HUGE!! Im curious if this was a spawned out female, since we just had a warm week (60-70) that i think might have triggered a couple fish.

You should not be able to put your fist into the mouth of a 4 1/2 lb bass with room to spare unless you've got really small fists.  I've caught fish like that before, my guess has always been they were sick or possibly had a parasite or infection causing them to grow abnormally.

I doubt if Michigan has spawned out females so early in the year.  Could be sickly.  Big headed short bodied bass usually mean overpopulated lake, but this sounds different. I can understand your disappointment but it doesn't sound like bass was too far off.  That being said, when I see a bass that I have real concerns about it's health I do not throw it back.  I don't eat it either.  I kill it quickly and toss it up on the bank. Gator food.

My biggest 5 1/2 lb bass didnt have that big of a mouth. Neither did my neighbor's 6 pounder.

It was an old fish if it had not spawned yet. Eau Claire, MI (slow growth rate)

average weight for a 20" largemouth is 4.5lbs.  Sounds to me like your fish was pretty spot-on.  The numbers would give it a 94% Relative weight, which is pretty dang good.  

I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you start to catch more and more like that..especially if you have some 16"/3lb fish swimming around.  Thats pretty dang healthy.

:'(  Let's hope that skinny bass didn't have LMBV.  If others turn up, please inform your DNR.

Chris!  Are you a cousin?  If you live in or near Eau Claire, MI, then you know the Bruces, some Murphies (esp. the late Reva), and all the places my Mother grew up.  We have a little cottage on Smith Lake, home of the world's tastiest bluegills and a once-or-twice a year good bass lake.  

Do let me know.  Our name is Hauck.

--Poor Richard

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Total fishing wisdom:  "The fish are biting or they're not."  

rocknfish9001 is from Eau Claire, MI not me. ;D

I believe that I am the long lost relative you are seeking.  Can't wait to see you.  Send me an airline ticket.  I'll bring my rods.  See ya soon cuz.  ;D ;D

Several factors that can cause such a thing to happen to a fish like that . disease, over population and probably the #1 cause would be AGE!  The fish is just getting old

that pond is loaded with bigguns. My neighbor caught one 20", 6lbs. I caught 2 that were 20" 5.5lbs, and 19" around 5lbs. (the one on my profile pic) These fish are really usually healthy, so this is weird. A fish witht this much lenght could go over 6 if it was built like the others that come out of here.