Okay granted, she had lost .44 lbs since the young man caught her.....

But now check this out; One of my specialties is in being able to compare fish to fish. Bass pattern markings sometimes get darker or lighter, but the shape, size and placement of these markings are like fingerprints. They are totally unique, and they DO NOT CHANGE throughout a fishes life.

This comparison was originally posted on the main thread, by green_monster, but was so striking, I didn't want anyone to miss it

Absolutely, positively, no doubt in my mind, this is the same fish...... and unless your are not comparing every single, individual marking on this fishes body, there shouldn't be any doubt in your minds either !

Now I have got to meet this kid, and thank him profusely for releasing that fish...... and I think I am even going to have to like buy him a sweet new rod and reel or something !

I owe my catch 100% to this well informed young angler ! Hats off to him !

Very cool ! :-)

Fish

PS, Now, tell me again, "Why should release trophy sized fish, that are old, and probably at the end of their life spans anyway" ?!?!

C/R OF TROPHY SIZED FISH WORKS !!!!!!!

I see what you're talking about Chris....great job!

Definitely looks like the same fish to me.  Man I would love to just see a Smallie of that size in person.  Truly something to be proud of.

I was ready the thread about the other kid this morning and was thinking the same thing. I agree with you.

WOW!

This story just keeps getting better.

wow i thought they looked similiar!  yea the markings match!  sweet deal man

Holy %$#$

Thats a monster, awsome FishChris.

I think the story on this amazing fish is becoming legendary. Pretty cool stuff, to say the least. You are blessed to have had this happen to you in such a fantastic way. Again, congrats.

What would make the story even better is if another BassResource member caught the same fish in the next few months (I would love that member to be me, be I am pretty far away and unless I win the lottery, I won't be near there anytime soon).  Great story and catch.  Congratulations.

Yes, definately the same one! This is soooo cool! 8-)

Yes they do look like the same fish, because they both look like they have been "photo-shopped" ;)

Just kidding!!  Great fish.  I can't wait to get out this year.  Just think, in a couple of more weeks the ice will be gone.

That is definetly the same fish! Who's gonna catch her next?

That is definetly the same fish! Who's gonna catch her next?

Sure wish I could say I will, however we have a hard time getting largemouth that big here in Colorado!  ;D

What a sleezy fish.  She gets around ;D ;D

Hey guys, please stay tuned in on this one. I talked briefly (I was at work) with Ryan L. and he is supposed to call me back this evening. There is going to be some cool stuff that happens over "our" double C/R of this fish. Like a front / full page story in one or two Nor Cal fishing newspapers.

And also, I am trying to find a really good {really big} Smallmouth replica..... Then, I'm going to work on a good deal for two of them, so that I can "give" Ryan one of them. I just can't think of a better way to repay this great young angler for releasing that fish ! I owe my catch to this kid 100% !!!

Will keep ya'll updated :-)

Peace,

Fish

That's a hell of a gesture Chris.

And I definitely thinks the story needs a write up.

Absolutely incredible.  Way inspiring.

And--with no scientific expertise whatsoever to back this up--I'm 100% convinced that fish is a hybrid of some sort.  My money is on a largemouth & smallie cross.

Chris, classy move no matter what you give the kid.

Outstanding and keep us updated!

That is cool...to cool!Fish,I admire you for your greatfulness!

On another note.I have been away for a little while though I did see your threads and pics!SICK....totally sick man!Those are some awesome fish and what a great story!

So I guess the SM WR is in danger from you guys too!

         Chris, thats is an incredible story and is being handled on your end like a true sportsman.

wow. That is incredible! You can definitely see that they have the same markings. Did you catch it in the same area? Bait? That's too bad she had less in her belly when you caught her, but sheesh, that's incredible.

Thats quite a gesture to have a replica made for the lad. Guys like you give our sport a good name. Keep us posted. This story keeps getting better.

Truely one the greatest fish I have ever seen.  Great story and it is no doubt the same fish.  I checked all the markings  ;D.

FishChris, first off congratulations on ANOTHER fine catch to add to your growing list of trophy gamefish. That is one heck of a fish! I've looked at that picture and the other quite a lot, I believe the markings are within the typical pattern (helps to use the kids photo to gain perspective) but I believe they (markings) are distorted, kind of like if you drew a picture onto a deflated balloon and then blew it up, picture is still the same, just distorted from swelling, same for your fish. Coloration as we all know is highly influenced by the subjects environment, so for this particular lake that may be the typical color. I have caught smallies at pardee before, all were more green than brown. I believe it is a genetically pure smallmouth. But I also ain't no biologist.

Icing on the cake.  Congratulations and kudos for your good sportsmanship.