Ended up catching 4 Largemouths in the 4 to 7 lb range.... The biggest on the Hud, the other 3 on crawlers and the micro-light. I had another fisg blast the Hud too, but no hook up.

But the two "photo fish" of the trip, were 5.0 and a 5.2 lb Smallies :-) Those fought tremendously on the ML :-)

I caught the 5.0 blind fishing, in deep water... just a spot that I know often holds some good ones.

The 5.2, on the other hand, I really had to work for ! Probably 1 1/2 hours for the first bite. She was hanging around a bed... but very loosely. She would nose right up to my crawler, but just wouldn't eat it. One time, I snagged a rock, or something, and when the hooked finally popped loose, I left my crawler there. (Is this chumming ? LOL) Now, I didn't see her eat that crawler... But I have to assume she did > because the very next time I cast out a fresh crawler, she nailed it immediately ! I thought I let her take it plenty long, but I set the hook into nothing but water

That's okay. I'm sure that one tasted really good to her + it did not bite back

I put on another crawler. She immediately eats it again. I let her take it a bit longer yet... set the hook.... fish on ! ...... Pop. It comes unbuttoned Urggggg ! I basically just sat back and thought, "Their goes my chance". She will never eat another one, after being stung....

Wrong ! It took a few casts, and maybe 5 more minutes, but she finally bit yet again, and I put her in the boat

That was fun, and challenging too.

Then I had to try for some shots of the Osprey Saw a Bald Eagle too, but too far away, and didn't stick around for long either.

Anyway, what a fun trip ! Weather was gorgeous too ! About 73, and just a slight breeze, here and there

Peace,

Fish

nice.

What a great day you had !!!!!!!!!!

Nice ones Chris and great photos too!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

Chris,

Great report and pics..as usaul. BTW, are you sporting a new healthier physique? It looks as though you have been losing some pounds. Kudos for you if you have. What is your secret?

Great looking bass, and awesome picks! Your looking slim too, makes them bass look even bigger!

Man your all cut now! Lol nice smallies and great photos as always. Keep these posts coming!

Nice!that first smallie looks as green as a largemouth lol. You know, you remind me of a cartoon character but i cant think of it lol

beautiful fish Chris!!!!

BTW you are looking great. Congratulations on the healthier, fitter, you.

Much thanks guys

As for the new me the time line is like this:

Oct. 09, I weighed 272, BP av. 150/102, Body fat somewhere around 45% ! Yikes !

Aug. 10' I was down to 191 lbs, BP av. 110/60, Body fat still 23% (they call this skinny-fat, on the health and fitness forums).

Apr 11' I'm now weighing 210 lbs > but here's the kicker with 16% body fat.

This works out to about 28 lbs of lean muscle mass gain in the last year. I know I don't look that buffed.... which only shows how little lean muscle I had before, when I was obese !

My goal for the next 3 years is to gain 15 more lbs, and at the same time, get down to about 9% BF. That would be pretty good for an old white guy I think

Oh, my secret ? Eating like a health food freak.... and a LOT ! Like 5000 cals a day.

And working out like a mad man, pretty much 6-7 days a week, both weight training, and cardio. On an alternating schedule of course.

When I look in the mirror, the only thing I'm impressed with, is how far I have come. On the other hand, I have SOOOO much farther to go... I just need to look in the mirror less, and work out even harder / smarter.

Peace,

Fish

Thanks again guys...

CaDelta, yea', their has been a lot of talk about the smallies in this place possibly being hybrids. I personally don't think so. I think it has more to do with their diet.

And BTW, when a fisheries biologist is doing a study on a fish.... especially, a bass species, one of the very last, least important factors he considers, is color, as this is just so variable from fish to fish, and even day to day.

A cartoon character ? Uhhhh..... I don't know if that would be a good thing ! LOL

Fish

Eating 5000 cals. A day d**n! Deff. A lifestyle change that probably added 10+ years to your life WTG!

amazing fish chris, but it looks like you missed the "remember to wear sunscreen thread"

Hey Hookingem, yea.... You know how some people blame their poor metabolism for their obesity ??? Well, that was certainly not my problem ! I have a great metabolism. I had to work really hard at becoming obese > Like eating 6000 to 8000 cals a day, of pure fat, sugar, slimy, fast / junk food garbage, for nearly 20 years ! I should have weighed 500+ lbs... or been dead already !

So yea', now I can pretty much hold stable at 4800 cals a day or so. But I've been alternating every month or two between 4000, for cutting, and 5500 or so, while bulking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brushhoggin, I actually do wear sunscreen pretty religiously > on my head, and shoulders... but my forearms got a little burnt the day before, when it was too cool to take off my shirt or hat, so I didn't bother with sunscreen, which I know is still not good, but at least on my arms or face, any burn pretty much turns brown by the next day or two, without ever peeling. My bald head and shoulders though, are a different story !

Here by next week, it will be warm enough, that I will be caking on the sunscreen at the start of every trip.

Fish

Nice pictures. I love the huge smallie! Great fish and awesome pictures of the Osprey!!

First of all, congrats on losing all the weight and becoming much healthier. That was the first thing I noticed in the pics. Working out becomes addictive once you achieve results. Secondly great fish brother. I can't imagine catching a smallie that big. My PB smallie is around 3.5. What a great species of fish. I always enjoy your posts and your pics are awesome. You're a great part of this great site.

Rand

Now if you could only figure out a way of packing the pounds of fat you lost onto those bucket mouths you keep catching..., NICE CATCH!

Great fish & pictures as always Chris.

Much thanks again guys

You're a great part of this great site.

Rand, I really appreciate that. Just don't mention ball sports, alcohol, or the human population to me (my hot buttons ) and I promise to stay cool LOL

But anyway, hey, one thing we ALL agree on > Fishing is the greatest sport ever !

Peace,

Fish

Having a clean record of staunch heterosexuality for 22 years I can honestly say. You look sexy.

Grundle LOL

Thanks man. Actually, my boss, an Italian stud who's been married 3 X's since I've known him, tell's me all the time how good looking / sexy I am (granted, he used to say that when I was obese too) So I just reply, "Well you know... it comes naturally" LOL

Hey, I see buffed, ripped guys all the time that I wish I could look like.... But I certainly enjoy looking pretty girls much more ! Still trying to decide if I actually want one....

But not tomorrow ! Fish On ALL day !

Peace,

Fish

great fish Chris. those pics are pretty special too. gotta love the osprey taking a look at you.