Conference wahoo::fishing

    I couldn't resist making the "first" entry in here, even if I am
    cheating just a bit. I skipped out of town this weekend for some
    "spring" bass fishing down in Mississippi and managed one "good"
    one. I had hoped for just a little bit bigger haul, but they weren't 
    quite up for the spawn yet. I guess I was about a week or so early.
    But, I'll still put it in here and hope that I can best it later
    this year.
    
    SPECIES  :    BASS (what else?)
    WEIGHT   :    4 1/2 - 5 lbs (three opinions, mine is the low one)
    LENGTH   :    ~16"
    LOCATION :    Tchuachabluffa River, Biliox, Miss.
		  (pronounced - shoot ta ka bluff)
    DATE     :    3/15/86
    BAIT/LURE:    White/yellow single bladed copper spinner.(Bushhog) For those
       		  interested, this was the color shown on the Color-C-Lector.
    COMMENTS :    Right where you expect pre-spawn bass....off a sandy
                  point in about 8ft of water. She was just starting
		  to develope her egg sac. My guess is she would go
    		  about 6 1/2 to 7 lbs in two weeks. Slow retieve after
    		  letting the spinner helicoptor down over the edge.
                  Water temp was about 59-61 degrees, and "very" muddy.
    		  This is a tidal river and it was just starting to
    		  to go out.
    
        Tight lines, Ron (just a bit better after the weekend)

    SPECIES  :    Ling cod
    WEIGHT   :    15 lbs.
    LENGTH   :    ~24"
    LOCATION :    Atlantic Ocean, about 5 miles west of the mouth of the 
			Columbia River.
    DATE     :    ~Spring 1974
    BAIT/LURE:    cut herring (salmon bait)
    COMMENTS :    I was fishing for salmon and caught this by mistake.  Used
			the winch retrieve.  Best tasting fish I've ever had.
			Took about 15 minutes to land using 8 oz. lead sinker
			and a size 1 hook.  When cod are hooked, they give up
			and open their mouth.  This one's mouth was about 6
			inches across.  Its like dragging an empty bucket
			through the water.  The common term for them is
			"Bucket Mouth".

    Heres a really recent one boys

    	SPECIES  : small mouth bass
    	WEIGHT   : 4 lbs 12 ozs
        LENGTH   : 21"
        LOCATION : Pueblo Res. Pueblo Colorado
        DATE     : 15-MAR-86
        BAIT     : 1/2 oz jig with a small piece of pig on the end
        COMMENTS : Out early in late, the weather was cool and windy
                   but the sun was out it was really a great day as
                   far as I was concerned because I caught more than
                   my share with alittle help from old tight lines.

    Well as Ed mentioned in his note on his depth finder, we did go
    out yesterday and exerecise a few brooke trout. So in the interest
    of holding the largest numbers of brookies caught in a single
    afternoon.....
    
    Brook trout
    10-13 inches
    Caught in Maine
    Ed Blum: 52
    Dave Bottom: 37
     
    All caught on wet flies...
   
     I think between us we exercised (releasing all but 2) 8.9% of this
    season's stocking in a single afternoon......
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Now that's brook trout fishing......
    
    
    tight lines boys....
    
    dave
    

    A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER!!!  I just got back from fishing with Coonass
    Bob on Lake Bisteneau in Louisiana and the fishing was GREAT!!
    
    Between the two of us, we must have caught 25-30 bass and I caught
    a personal record!
    
    
    SPECIES  :    CAJUN LARGEMOUTH BASS
    WEIGHT   :    7.5 lbs.
    LENGTH   :    26.5"
    LOCATION :    Lake Bisteneau, Louisiana
    DATE     :    5/3/86
    BAIT/LURE:    Frog pattern Crazy Crawler (top water plug)
    COMMENTS :    Used my Shakespear 2400-040 spinning reel with 12lb.
                  test line.  I had just cast my plug to a huge cypress
                  tree with lots of Spanish moss hanging down to the
                  water.  I let the ripples clear...twitched it and
                  the water EXPLODED!!!  Ole Coonass damn near jumped
                  out of the boat when I yelled.  I horsed him out of
                  the tree roots and managed to boat him after several
                  SPECTACULAR leaps!  It was a sight to remember!
    
    
    

                 A N   U N B E L I E V A B L E   D A Y !
    
    I went out Sat. from 4-9 PM and bagged 7 fish totalling 24 lbs!
    The largest was 20", 5.5lbs.  The wind died down to nothing by 5PM
    and the surface was like glass.  I found all the bass were up in
    the pads and weeds almost next to shore, so heavy line was called
    for to horse them out.  I must have lost twice as many.
    
    Although I tried spinner baits and top-water plugs, all the action
    came on 8" purple fire-tailed worms.  I must have gone thru a dozen
    or more.  Interestingly enough, there were several other canoes
    out on my honeyhole and they all got skunked.  It was interesting
    to listen to their conversations regarding how poor the fishing
    was.  When asked how I was doing, I had to agree with them.  I told
    them I probably wouldn't waste my time on that place again (ha..ha).
    
    Well...that's all for now.  Just had to let ya'll know that everything
    just came together for an outstanding day under the sun!
    
    -Joe-
    
    P.S. - hey Don...see what ya missed!  Welcome back and congrats
    to you and the misses!
    

    I guess this is the place the register our catch.
    
    Jeff and I went out of Ilwalco, Wa. (The mouth of the Columbia from
    the Washington side) in the pursuit of the ever elusive White Sturgeon.
    
    We ran upstream about 45 minutes to the small town of Chinook and
    started fishing in a depth of 27 feet.  After a short time, Jeff
    hooked up and landed a nice keeper (36" to 72" are keepers).  I
    caught a couple of "shakers" and we moved on.  In only 10 ft of
    water we stopped and tried it again.  We limited (2/person) in the
    next 30 minutes.  Counting the run out and back we were 3 hours.
    
    I don't know whether anybody out there has fished for sturgeon,
    but that is really a good day.  By the way, if you haven't had grilled
    sturgeon steaks, you haven't lived.
    

    
    species> large mouth bass
    Weight>  6 lbs 3 oz.
    length>  22 inches
    location> Sunset Lake Ashburnham
    bait>    5" original rapala
    date>    6/22
    
    	Went out saturday afternoon just throwing out the rapala when
    I spooked something big right by a small bush. Couldn't get him
    to hit. Went back several hours later and he still wouldn't hit.
    Went back sunday morning around 11 and he wasn't there. Went back
    about 2 and on the 1st cast I put it right on top of him and BANG!!
    
    

    species> rainbow trout
    lenght> 18"
    wieght> unknown
    location> Androscoggin River
    bait> dry fly
    date> 6-21-86
    
    caught at nightfall casting fly to the fast water and setting hook
    on ANY strike that may have been near my fly (unseen fly :-)). Put
    up a good fight, was especially net shy.

SPECIES:  Largemouth 
WEIGHT:  6lbs 13oz
SIZE:  22in
LOCATION:  Stumpfield Marsh NH
LURE:  Frog colored Hula-Popper

COMMENTS:  My first REAL hawg!  6lbs 13oz, on a certified scale.  Not quite 
the 9+ pounds that my Zebco DeLiar had told me, but it'll be my first mount!

I got her at Stumpfield Marsh (NH), at dusk, on a frog colored Hula Popper.
She didn't hit on splash down, it was while pop'n it back.  I'm sure glad
I wasn't using the ultralight setup that I've been using lately, while my 
Shimano's being repaired!

I tell ya, after looking at the DeLiar and reading NINE+ pounds, I headed 
STRAIGHT to a certified scale - assuming that the little scale could be of
*either* way.  Well, since it was off on the low side, rather than the high
side, it's sure no record, but it's big enough for me!

Sorry for pulling ya away from the latest issue of BassMaster's Joe!!

Before I weighed the fish, I stopped at home and called Joe T.  I was hoping
he'd know the NH record (since I was under the impression that this was 9+lbs).
When he told me that it was around 10, I was pretty sure that I'd fall short, 
but I HAD to know the exact weight.  So, my partner and I headed down to the 
corner market (where Joe T quickly met us) and  we weighed it for real.  I was 
"slightly" disapointed, when it stopped before 7, but only for about half a 
second!

Is there a tackle box sized scale that is more reliable than the DeLiar??

Don Mac _who_can't_wait_until_this_hawg_is_mounted!!!_

    T.G.I.F.!!!  After a busy week, I had just settled down with a nice
    cold brew and my new issue of Bassmasters when the phone rang. Arrrgh!
    I got up, answered the phone...and there was this guy yelling with
    excitement...."Joe, Joe,...whats the New Hampshire record, huh??"
    
    Finally, I realized it was Don Mac.
    
    "Hey, Don, calm down.  It's 10 pounds plus....WHY??"
    
    Still excited, Don screeched, "I got me a hawg and it weighs 'bout
    9 pounds on my scale.  I'm gonna go down to the supermarket and
    get it weighed!"
    
    Well...needless to say, Don had my curiosity piqued, so I told him
    that I'd meet him down there.  I mean, someone had to calm that
    boy down before the folks at the supermarket thought some raving
    lunatic was loose waving a wet, slimey fish around.
    
    I got down to the market and met Don and his cousin who had a camera
    to record the BIG EVENT!  Don stepped behind the fish counter and
    slowly placed his hawg on the scales.  Boy...did his jaw hit the
    floor when all it registered was 6.79 lbs.!!  He tried moving the
    fish around on the scale to see if he could get another pound or
    two out of it...but that was all!  Talk about a dissappointed
    fisherman!
    
    Yeah...Don Mac got himself a real nice fish, there's no doubt about
    it!  But Don...next time you call me a say you got a hawg...do me
    one favor...make sure it's a H-A-W-G!  
    
    I returned home to read about a REAL HAWG...a 10 pound+ SMALLMOUTH...
    and opened up another cold one!
    
    -Joe-
    

    I just KNEW Joe was gonna bust me on this one!
    
    Hey, if my DE-LIAR was telling the TRUTH, it would have been a good
    candidate for largest of the year, after all last year's biggest
    was "only" 8lbs 12oz....  
    
    Don't worry, Joe, NEXT TIME, when I'm weighing in my 10 POUND hawg,
    I'll be sure not to get you out of BED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Don Mac  (Joe's just jealous!)
    

    
Don MAc....theres a set of scales made by Chantillion (sp?) THAT ARE
    MUCH...more accurate than yer common run of the mill deliar...these
    are a bit expensive ($20-30), look in the Cabela's catalogue,
    ..but what the heck......it could save you further embarrassment....I 
    wish I had a set last year when I took my HOG on a flyrod......he was 
    huge.....but the deliar only said 6 Lb 8 oz.......I KNOW NOW he was 
    likely well over seven, maybe even eight.....I'll just have to recatch 
    him this year again when the pond he's in gets hot for surface action
    after dark (It appears as a mudhole to most folks,, and isnt hit
    too hard, fish doan come easy but the bigboys are there).
    
    Just for genral info....the bass (small and largemouths) are starting
    to hammer surface stuff just at dark and after (Mid Maine). Myself and Dave
    went tubing twice last week with our flyrods and working surface
    bassbugs did quite well (for bass). First night we did about four
    or five between three and four and a dozen plus under that apiece.
    ...Started at about 7:30 Pm till about 10:30 Pm, all Largemouth, I lost
    a "corker" (5+) after a three minute battle because I "forgot" to
    hammer the hooks home two or three times. Friday night we hit a real 
    local pond and did six or seven smallmouth each up to about 2.5...not
    huge but lots of fun. The fish were down because of the coolish
    conditions and wind. Bassin from a tube is the snooks!!!

    August should be prime this year if it ever warms a bit.
    
                                                 Tight Lines
    
                                             "summertime basser"
    
                                                     Ed 
    
    

    I've got at least 10 witnesses to this one!
    
    Saturady nite, July 26 at Pawtuckaway Lake.
    
    Fishing a small friendly tourney from 6-10PM.  It was 9:55PM, with
    only 5 minutes left and I was no more than 30 yards from the boat
    launch.  It was pitch black...and I made what was going to be my
    LAST CAST....topwater (crazy crawler)...and BANG!
    
    I landed a 22", 6+ plus largemouth!!  
    
    ...and I did release it to get BIGGER!
    
    Joe

    I am registering this "hawg" for a fellow dec'ie, Jim Fletcher,,
    field service unit mgr for the mill district of IN-DEC Area field service.
    Jim and I have been fishing a pond in ayer, mass this year on a
    regular basis, last year jim took a 12 lb+ out of the pond but for
    various reasons did not take it to a weight station although the
    fish was witnessed for size on a scale. This year we have been taking
    the usual kippers, hornbout,crappie, smallmouth and small < 2 lb
    largemouths. tonight we were fishing from 6:30 p.m. till about 10
    p.m. We had been using worms for smallmouth and shiners for largemouth
    while the sun was out. As it got darker, we switched off worms to
    shiners and were casting plugs. 
    
    Jim had just cast out a frog colored hula popper, had twitched it
    several times and set his rod down to reel in the other rod which
    had a shner on it. All of a sudden there was a large splash and
    his rod with the popper started stripping off line. He set the drag
    several times till the fish hung in the weeds. we got the boat over
    to the lillies and he boated it.
    
    lenght  22 ++ inches
    weight  approx 7 1/4 lbs
    water depth approximately 3 1/2 feet
    heavy weed cover below the surface with lillies on surface.
    
    We weighed it on a 8 lb deliar  scale which I checked at home
    with weights from my weight lifting gear. his hawg weighed 6 1/4
    lbs in the boat however when correlated against the weights at home
    the scale was approximately 1 lb light. Due to the fact it was totally
    dark out when caught and we only had a small pocket flashlight we
    were unable to get an exact lenght, but it was at least 22 inches
    without being measured with the jaws shut to the tip of the tail.
    
    Jim released this hawg for another day. I am a relative newcomer
    to bass fishing this year so it was an experience for me. Jim is
    still taking the nitro for his heart.
    
    we were fishing out of a small rowboat, no motor and a small cement
    block as a drag anchor.  maybe next timeI will be able to write
    in about the one I caught.
    
    al
    

                                                
    Weds night - 5lb largemouth out of Joe's honeyhole (released naturally)
           
    don mac	ok, it's not a HAWG hawg, but what the hell, this files
                slow lateley!
                  

    HECK,DON,I just logged in and saw you registered yours so I'll do
    the same(gotta keep Joe T happy!). I gotta say I suspect 5 lbs is
    sorta average for big HAWG fishers like us. I picked up a 5 lb'er
    (released of course) on a crazy crawler just after dark...took that
    about 5 cranks from the weeds with a little slurp-JEEZ- I thought
    I was hung up at first...then my line started to decide to head
    south..tee hee. Kinda spooky on 8 lb test with all those weeds...
    Joe T had just had the same experience (same lure) and a 4+ lb'er
    a couple of minutes earlier. Wierd how action happens all at the
    same time..
    

    SPECIES  :    Large Mouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :    4lb 
    LENGTH   :    20 1/2"
    LOCATION :    Contookuc River
    DATE     :    Sunday Sept. 29
    BAIT/LURE:    Spinner Bait
    COMMENTS :    After watching my partner catch a 20" one last weekend,
                  I had to give it a try.

    SPECIES	:	BROWN TROUT
    WEIGHT	:	22, between 4 and 6-1/2 lbs.
    LENGTH	:	Longer than any other trout I've caught
    LOCATION	:	Mouth of a small creek entering Lake Ontario
    DATE	:	MAY 16,86
    LURE	:	Little Cleos, Blue/White,Fl.Red/Gold
    COMMENTS	:	Fastest fishing for big trout I've ever had.
    			All twenty-two caught in three hours, and I
    			took an hour off to land a 20+lb carp I snagged
    			across the back with my last blue/white Little
    			Cleo. I really respect the drag on my Daiwa
    			Black Gold now. 

        SPECIES :       LAKE TROUT
        WEIGHT  :       3 3/4 lbs
        LENGTH  :       22"
        LOCATION:       Quabbin Area 2, Gate 31
        DATE    :       11 May 86
        LURE    :       #8 Gold Davis w/Mickey Finn
        COMMENTS:       Small as lakers go, but the best of 65 trout
                        caught this year!

    Well It's not as as big as don's But its a Big small mouth for mass.
    
    
    Smallmouth Bass  weight 4lbs 2 oz Length 19 1/2  girth 13"
    type of tackle-  Spinning rod  brown and orange Pig+jig
    where caught:   Quabin res.  gate 8      date: 17-oct-86
    
    
    Above taken form state pin affidavit.
    
    Bassin Bob'
    

    species: Atlantic Salmon
    lenght: ~28"
    weight: 8-9 lbs.
    date: Oct 30, 1986 (this morning!!)
    caught: Kennebec River in downtown Augusta
    bait: #4 Muddler minnow fly
    
    released immediately
    
    dave

    I know that DONMAC is much too modest to post this catch, so I'll
    do it for him.
    
    SPECIES  :    Atlantic Smelt
    WEIGHT   :    3.45561022 ounces
    LENGTH   :    8.25 inches
    LOCATION :    Newmarket, NH  Lamprey River
    DATE     :    1/23/87
    BAIT/LURE:    sea worms
    COMMENTS :    it put up a real fight....Don battled it for at least
		  10 minutes as it tried to head for sea.  But, Don wouldn't
		  give up and finally he netted the "hawg".  

		  P.S.  I think he said he was having this mounted too! 

    

    
    Species :  Chinook Salmon
    Weight  :  25#
    Length  :  30 inches
    Location:  Willamette River (downtown Portland)
    Date    :  4-4-87
    Bait    :  Shrimp
      
    
    
    Hooked two.  First one broke the leader after about 15 minutes.
    I screwed up.  Too light leader and too heavy drag for those big
    "springers" in fast water.  Hooked the second about an hour later.
    He came in nicely.    

    Species:	Chain pickeral
    Weight:	5+ lbs. (fat sucker)
    Length:	26"
    Bait:	Green Fat Gitzit w/red flecks
    Date:	5/25/87
    
    	Caught on an ultra-light with 6 lb. test. Thought I had a snag
    (felt like a tree limb) and tried to work the hook free, until the
    snag started moving.
    
    RAYJ

    Species: 	Largemouth 
    Weight:	5 3/4lbs (not too fat)
    Length:	21.5"      
    Bait:	Crazy Crawler
    Place:	Hopkington Lake (aka: what we've called Stumpfield Marsh) 
    Date:	6/17/87    
                                                    
    First HAWG of the year!
                           
    Was only there for a couple of hours and we had great action.  My
    partner got a 4lber - and we got some smaller ones as well.
                                                    
    Don "does_fine_as_long_as_it's_not_a_tourny" Mac

    Thats no hawg!!!!!!  I caught one tuesday 6.2 lbs andI don't think
    that is a hawg yet!!  7+ is a HAWG   DON MAC...
    
    But then you don't catch to many small ones so I guess you could
    call it a hawg!!
    
    Bassin BOB      :^)  nice fish don
    

    WELL EXCUUUUUUUUUSE ME!!!!!!!!!	
    
    Haven't we had this discussion before.... I thought we came the
    the conclusion that 5lb's was the start of hawgsville...
    
    Ok, you want 7lbs, I'll give ya 7lbs, where's my rod...
    
    Be back in a sec...

    Ya gotta forgive Don...he's been so used to getting his clocks cleaned
    by everyone under the sun that he's starting to get a little psychotic
    and paranoid.  A "HAWG" is relative thing...to you, it may be 7+
    pounds...to Don, well...anything that puts a little bend in his
    pole is hawg.  Just bear with him a little, guys...it should pass
    soon.
    
    BTW...just to give Don a "chance", I had though of reducing the
    size limit to 6" at the July tourney.  Then I thought...
    
    "Why bother?...Ain't zero 6-inchers the same as zero 10-inchers??"
                                        
    

    Jealousy, pure jealousy

    
    
    OK OK OK 
    
    Why is it every time I say " hey, how ja do in the tourney"?  All
    I hear is excusses.  Then in the middle of the week everybody is
    registering HAWGS!  What's goin on here?
    
    
    

    
    Species	: Stiper Bass
    Weight	: 23 1/2 lbs
    Length	: 40 inches
    Location	: Marshfield
    Date	: June, 28, 1987
    Bait	: Eals
    Comments	: 8' spinning rod, 15 lb test berkley, #8 Eagle Claw
    
    	  		YEEEEEEE HHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
    			finally a Keeper
    
    
    Mike Brophy
    

    CONGRATS, Mike! Did you catch that from SHORE? What rig did you
    use? I'll be surfcasting for them soon and need all the help I can
    get!

    Re .34: We were drifting eels just offshore using spinning gear.
            We used just enough weight to keep the bait bouncing on
            bottom. I've seen eel rigs sold in stores that have a small
            float about 1 foot above the hooks, I think I'm going to
    	    pick one up and give it a try. I'll let you know how they
    	    work. 
    
    
    		Mike

    Thanks, Mike, I'm gonna try the drifting  trick off of Orleans in a couple
    of weeks. I've picked them up using silver spoons but not much using
    the artificial eels...mebbe time to try the real thing...
    Cris

    SPECIES:  Largemouth 
    WEIGHT:  7 1/2 LBS (at least, I sh*t you not!)
    LENGTH: TWO FEET!!!  
    GIRTH: ~18"                              
    LOCATION:  "My new honeyhole" NH     
    LURE:  "My favorite" plastic worm    
                                     
    COMMENTS: I released her, but after coming home and looking at my
    6lb 13ozer on the wall (see note 80.10) I'm wondering if I should
    have!  My biggest bass yet to say the least.  And believe it or
    not, I went out to catch THIS bass.  I'm pretty sure that I lost
    her last week.  So I went out tonight after that sucker and got
    her in the same place - however this time I was on the correct side
    of the structure and had 12lb test instead of 8lb - last week she
    hung me up on the structure, I had her hooked, but she wrapped me
    and broke off.  Anyway, I first tried to weigh her on my scale,
    the infamous Zebco Deliar (the small one), the scale BOTTOMED out,
    the fish jerked AND THE SCALE BROKE!!!  My partner than pulled out
    his larger type Deliar and it hovered around the 7 1/2 lb mark,
    but after coming home and comparing that fish to the one on my wall...
    I honestly think it may have been MORE than the deliar indicated... 
    Well, at least I've broken the 7lb mark - if not EIGHT!!!!  
    
    I'll stop rambling now, I still have to go out and unload the boat...
                                         
    Don BIG BASS Mac                     

    
    SPECIES:       Nothern Pike
    Weight:        7# (official scale)
    Length:        Long
    Girth:         Looked like a snake
    Location:      Lake Quinsigamund (Worcester, Ma.)
    Lure:          Plastic Worm  Yeh, Pike like worms too!
    
    
    During the Worcester Bassmasters Club tourney at 1:30AM.  Really
    thought I had the biggest BASS in the world.  Pitch black out only
    saw it one time during a run at the boat.  Still thought it was
    a BASS.  We thought it was a bass until my partner missed with the
    net and on the third try we boated the sucker.  Then and only then
    did we discover it were'nt a Bass.  
       
    
    

    re: .38  Don't know that a 7# Northern qualifies as a Hawg since
    they run over 30# but it beats my best unintentional pike by over
    6# so I won't complain.
    
    In the dark?  You didn't try to land it by the lower lip did you?
    :-)
    
    Steve

    For Mike "The Ringer" Hayward

    SPECIES  :    Large Mouth
    WEIGHT   :    6lb 6oz
    LENGTH   :    22"
    LOCATION :    Pawtukaway Lake    Raymond NH
    DATE     :    July 25, 1987  
    BAIT/LURE:    Jitter Bug
    COMMENTS :    I had the winning total weight for the tournament until
                  he caught that sucker.

    
    SPECIES : Large mouth
    WEIGHT  : 6 LBS.
    LENGTH  : 22.5 in.
    LOCAT   : Lake Winnamaug Watertown,Ct
    DATE    : April 87
    Bob Murray Oakville,Ct
    

    comet::roren
    
    SPECIES : NORTHERN PIKE
    WEIGHT  : 20+POUNDS
    LENGTH  :  44 INCHES
    LOCAL   : SANCHEZ RESIVOIR (CO)
    DATE    : MARCH 87
    
    AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL DAY OF BOAT FISHING WITH DEAD PERCH, WE HOOKED
    THIS PIKE FROM SHORE ON TWO 8" PERCH. WE, MEANING IT TOOK BOTH MY
    FIANCES' AND MY BAIT. THERE WASN'T TOO MUCH OF A FIGHT BUT IT IS
    THE BIGGEST NORTHERN I'VE EVER SEEN.
    
    
    GONE FISHIN
    

    
    Species: Striped Bass
    Weight : 40 lbs
    Length : 42 inches
    Local  : Plum Island
    Date   : August, 1987
    Bait   : Smelllly Mackerel
    By     : Surf Casting with a 6 ft. rod, Penn 710 w/ 14lb test line
    Time   : 7:30 pm  
    
    	This one was my first ever, took 1/2 hour to bring to shore.
    	Definately going to try for a bigger one this year! (right...)
    

    species: blue shark
    weight : 200+ lbs
    length : ~8.5 ft
    locale : south of the islands (Martha's et al)
    date   : August 30, 1987 
    bait   : live menhaden
    
     We had originally set out in search of school yellowfin, and were
    in the fleet at the dump (ammo). We weren't marking a damn thing.
    I had a live menhaden hooked on a small 3x strong tuna hook tied
    directly to 50 # mono, and was fly lining as two others fished chunks
    at the stern on balloons. The fish picked up the menhaden (pogie)
    and started running. I could hardly wait to set the hook on my first
    tuna. I fought the fish for nearly 20 minutes before I put the gimbal
    back on; by then I was nearly exhausted. Finally I got the fish
    to where I could see him, and much to my surprise and disappointment
    it was a shark.
    
     The captain couldn't believe it was a shark since we didn't have
    a wire leader, but I had pressured him enough to keep him from cutting
    the line. We took out the tagging stick, and I pumped him to the
    surface so we could stick him and let him go. He had other ideas
    though because as soon as he broke the surface he rolled and snapped
    the line before the mate could get a clear shot to tag him. The
    second shark we caught that day we kept; she was a little bigger.
    
     I know 200 pounds is not all that big for a blue shark, but it
    was my first, and is therefore (hopefully) worthy of sharing this
    space with the other lunkers.
    
    p.s. I am going sharking July 2nd for makos, and I can't wait.
      ... only 43 more days
    
    the doctah

doctah,

Good fish there--wher about at the dump were you and do you 
recall the numbers??
wher do you fish out of?

norm

norm-
    
    It is unfortunate that I can't give you the numbers but the sad
    fact is that I don't own my own boat and so I wasn't paying attention.
    We just went out to where the fleet was (southeast end of the dump)
    and started chunking. The water had cooled off due to three days
    of rain previous to the trip, but warmed up by the end of the day
    to about 68 degrees. By then, we had abandoned the idea of catching
    tuna and started to concentrate on catching sharks. The second shark
    of the day was caught by one of my buddies, and was bigger than
    the one I landed. I hooked it, but since I had already caught the
    only fish of the day, I walked the rod back to the stern and handed
    him the rod. 
    
     That shark was caught on a combination of a whole (fresh) menhaden,
    a whole frozen squid and a fillet of mackerel. It took him about
    35 minutes (maybe more) to bring this one in. After we popped her
    with the bang stick and brought her aboard, she thrashed around
    for a good half hour before we started to gut her. Once we started
    to gut her and toss her entrails overboard, the sea came alive.
    
     We had about ten sharks swimming around the boat; it was great.
    My wife even got into the act. We put her on a sabre and penn
    international standup outfit, and a mako took her bait. Unfortunately,
    we couldn't convince her to set the hook hard enough, and the mako
    spit the hook and bait right back into the boat. We got the whole
    show on film using my dad's 8mm camcorder, and its great to get
    the adrenaline flowing during the winter months.
    
     We chartered the same boat (the Cygnet w/ captain Tony Tolentino)
    out of Falmouth for three trips this year.
                                          
    
                                              target species
    
                     Trip 1: July 2,          mako shark
                     Trip 2: July 30,         white marlin
                     Trip 3: August 27,       school tuna (again)
    
     I'm really excited about these trips, and I'll let you guys know
    how they turn out...
    
    screamin' drags to you all
    
    the doctah
     
    

	Although I mentioned it in several of my replies, I never entered 
my hawg from last year.  This was partly because I wasn't totally sure what 
it was. I have been doing some research since then and I think I have a 
fairly accurate estimate of size, species etc.

	Species		Mako Shark
	
	Size		11+ feet

	Sex 		Male

	Weight		750 - 900 # (estimate)

	Bait		Mackeral fillet

	Tackle		Cutom rod (not standup) with 50# dacron & wire leader
    
    	Date		First week in August 1987
    
	It was kind of comical since it was my first successful shark trip
and I had no idea if this was a typical fish or something special. At first
I thought it was a Porbeagle because I didn't think there were any Makos in 
Maine waters. Anyways I fought the fish for three hours. I walked around my
boat what seemed to be at least twenty times. Each time I got it to the boat 
and tried to lift it to the surface it would just go under the boat and take 
off again. The fish was pullin my 22' boat around like a scene from Jaws and
although it never jumped it made some runs that I couldn't believe. I had 500 
yds of line and was almost down to a bare spool at one time.
	Not only was I an inexperienced sharker, I was also an inexperienced
offshore boater and my crew was even greener than I was. To add to the 
excitement, the sun was setting and we were 25 miles from my mooring. When
we finally got a harpoon into the Shark we were pretty anxcious to get 
underway. We couldn't get it in the boat and I didn't want to take the
time to tow it 25 mile so I cut off some slabs of meat and headed home
in the dark. It was only after talking to the "experts" after the trip 
that I realized what an exceptional fish I had. I guess if I was thinking 
about trophies I probably could have managed to get him in but as far as 
I knew at the time this was just another shark. I didn't even save the jaws 
because his head was so heavy we couldn't lift it enough to cut them out.
	Now that I am "eperienced" and know how to handle these fish, I'll
probably never see another like it. Well you live and learn.
Paul                                             

    
    SPECIES  : Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT   : 6+ lbs.
    LENGTH   : 22"
    GIRTH    : 16"
    LOCATION : Hopkinton Lake (aka Stumpfield)
    DATE     : Sunday, May 29, 1988 - 9:30 P.M.
    BAIT/LURE: topwater - large Crazy Crawler, frog pattern
    
Although it was an absolutely gorgeous day and and the moon was full, 
fishing was real slow.  The water was absolutely calm like glass, the moon 
was full and you could see perfectly.  Unfortunately, the bass just weren't 
too cooperative.  I was fishing my favorite topwater, a Crazy Crawler, but 
wasn't able to entice even a little swirl.

Finally, I made a cast beyond a couple of stumps and slowly worked the plug 
between the two stumps (plip...plop...plip...plop), and then let it sit.  
After a moment or two, I twitched it and all hell broke loose!.  This hawg 
anihilated the lure by sucking it under with a BIG swirl.  I set the hook 
and it went airborn.  What an amazing sight with the full moon shining off 
the bass and the waves it made!  My pulse must have been 200!

Anyways, after several more jumps, it headed into the stumps.  Oh no, I 
thought...but between tightening down on the drag and my new heavy action 
All Star rod, I finally managed to boat her.  

GAWD, DO I LOVE THAT TOPWATER ACTION!!

BTW...according to the formula in note 733.1, she may have gone 7 lbs!

	Length + Girth^2 / 800

	L = 22"		G = 16"

	(22 x 256)/800 = 7.04 lbs.	
    
    

    
    
    SPECIES   : Largemouth Bass (momma)
    WEIGHT    : 6 to 7 lbs
    LENGTH    : 24"
    GIRTH     : heavily laden with eggs
    LOCATION  : Lake Boon  (Stow, Ma.)
    DATE      : Thursday, June 3, 1988 at 7:30pm
    BAIT/LURE : Natural colored 6" Rubber worm with no weight
    
    
    After spending about two hours catching 12" bucks (not many), Bill
    Blake (the witness) said "HOLY POOPO, I JUST SAW A 3 FOOT BASS".
    As he began to undo the kind of backlash you read about THE BACK
    DECK WIZARD picked up the worm rod and genly laid the bait about
    two inches from her face.........WHAMMMM...she hit, I set the hook
    and after she decided that the submerged tree was were she wanted
    to go the fun started.  She pulled the CRAWDAD about ten feet and
    then she took off for open water. (thank god) After about 90 seconds
    she came up to the boat for a perfect lip job.  The slump is broken..
    btw I have never seen bloodier fins on a spawning BASS.  Bill lost
    his mind when I released her.  I'll always look for her when I go
    to Lake Boon

    RELEASEM
    
    TBDW

    
    
    Species:       Northern Pike
    Weight:        Approx. 7 lbs.
    Length:        30.5 in.
    location:      Pascoag Res.  NW Rhode Island
    Bait:          5" shiner
    
    
    Finally got up early on Saturday Aug 13 to try to change my luck,
    and left the docks at 4:30 AM to escape this terrible heat we've
    been having all summer.  Nothing else been working this summer
    on my lake since early spring, so what the heck, can't sleep
    might as well fish.
    
    This pike hit at about 5:30 AM on my shiner setup using a medium
    Shimono Custom 2500 open face with 8 lb trilene XL and a 6" steel
    leader.   I was fishin in a brook fed channel about 6' deep
    running through a shallow weedy cove.  The pike hit hard and I let
    him run about 15 feet before setting the hook.  Then he got real
    angry and stripped off another 10 - 15 yds while my drag was 
    screaming.   Once I managed to turn him around, he fought a bit
    more and had enough left for one more run before I got him
    boat side and in the net.  Once in the bottom of the boat he
    wanted to wrestle a bit while I tried to put him on a stringer.
    Those TEETH are mean, my steel leader was chewed up pretty good!
    
    The Harbormaster.
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
    Species:       Largemouth Bass
    Weight:        6 lbs. 13 oz.
    Length:        23.5 in.
    Location:      Pascoag Res.  NW Rhode Island
    Bait:          6" Red/Maroon Gillraker Rubber Worm
    
    
    Comments:  Fishing a 6-15' deep drop-off in front of my cottage, thought
               I snagged a branch till she started to move lateral
               to shore.  Good fight with some strong deep runs.
               No jumps though, but shure got angry when she saw me
               with the net.  
    
               Got to mount this one, it's my first true lunker.
    
    
    The Harbormaster

    congrats harbormaster, nice fish!  
                                                                    
    don mac  (who caught his largest smallie yet on Saturday. ~4lbs)
  

    Species     :       Brown trout
    Weight      :       3 lbs and change
    Length      :       18"
    location    :       Small Stream in Cambridge Vermont
    Lure        :       Muddler minnow
    
    Comments    :       Got him on 4 lb test ultralight rig in real high 
    rain-swelled water.  Had the shape of a football (note the size/weight 
    ratio). Put up a 15 minute battle.  Had no net.  Hand landed him and the
    hook slipped out of his jaw as my thumb went into his mouth *whew*!
    
    I get him back from the taxedermist in mid-October.

    
    
    SPECIES  :    Crappie (Don't know white or black,  Ain't seen that many)
    WEIGHT   :    2 pounds
    LENGTH   :    15 1/2"
    LOCATION :    Teller Reservoir
    DATE     :    23-October-1988
    BAIT/LURE:    1/16 oz. Horsehead jig with 1 1/2" charteuse curly tail
    COMMENTS :    Weather = BEAUTIFUL, temperature lower 60s, water surface 
temp. = 52 degrees, depth = 3 feet, 6 pound test line

    FISHERMAN:	  Mark Hunter
    AGE      :    12
(Entered by whooped on father)  :-(
    

    Just found this notes conference and here comes my 2p worth.
    
    SPECIES:  SEA TROUT
    WEIGHT:   5.060 KG (11+ lb to you guys)
    LENGHT:   75 CM (25+ inches)
    LOCATION: GULF OF FINLAND
    DATE:     19-JUNE 
    BAIT:     "KULP KROKODIL" 16 grammes, herring coloured (Norwegian
              spoon)
    TACKLE:   DAIWA 7' GRAPHITE, ABU CARDINAL 4, 10lb test mono
    
    It put up a nice fight, took me about 15 minutes to get it netted.
    At first I thought it would be smaller, but after the first missed
    netting I realised his size and took business seriously. Nice fish!
    
    You should have seen the one that solemnly bate me last year! It
    surely topped 13 kg, perhaps even 15kg! Fought with it appr. 40
    minutes before it broke loose only two metres away from boat. :-(
    
    But there is always the next season!
    
    Eki
     

    SPECIES:	Large Mouth Bass
    WEIGHT:	8 lb. 4 oz.
    LENGTH:	24 1/4 in.
    LOCATION:	Winnip.
    DATE:	Nov. 4, 1988
    LURE:	Gitzit #136 (Chart. body/Smoke tail/Red metal flake)
    		1/4 oz. jig - inserted inside the Gitzit
    LINE:	6 lb. Trimax
    STRUCTURE:	Rounded point with sharp dropoff.
    DEPTH:	22 ft.
    
    We were fishing primarily for smallmouths and were concentrating
    only on areas with:
    
    	o Rocky structure                    
    	o Point
    	o Cove or flat near by (spawn ground)
    	o Sharp drop offs with access to deep water (up to 60 ft.)
    
    We were throwing the gitzits up into 10-12 ft and working them very
    S-L-O-W.  In fact, the lure would sit for 15-20 sec. before it was
    moved.  Since we were working sharp dropoffs, the lure was only
    moved a few inches at a time.
    
    The fish were hitting real light that day, so we were setting the
    hook on any resistance we felt.  (I think we lost 30-40 hair jigs
    and gitzits catching rock bass that day.)  
    
    I had lost a couple of hair jigs to these critters in an area that
    drops from 12 to 22', has an approx. 6' wide shelf and then drops 
    quickly into 55'.  Anyways, I tied on the gitzit and figured I'd
    give the spot another try.  The lure sat for about a 15 count and
    when I went to lift it I felt resistance so I set the hook home.
    The rod bent double, the drag slipped, but nothing moved!
    "*&&#&(*@ rock" I said as my partner laughed.  "You northern fishermen
    just don't know how to ..."
    
    His mouth just hung open because suddenly the rock decided to take
    off for the depths.  With the water being cold the fish never jumped
    she just kept pullin' line and stayed deep.  Finally after what
    seemed like an eternity I got her up to where we could see her. 
    That's when I got religion and prayed the line would hold!  Seeing
    the boat, she made one more run to the bottom before finally giving
    in and my partner scooped her up.
    
    To make things even nicer, my partner was visiting from Florida
    and we've had a running bet going for 5 years that I'd catch
    an 8 lb'er in N.H. before he'd get a 10 lb'er in Fla.!  That was
    the nicest $100 I've ever collected.
    
    OBTW.  The fish was weighed on certified scales, photographed 6
    ways to Sunday and released in a local pond.  The money from the
    bet is being used to have a replica made by a firm in the mid west
    that makes replicas that 99% of us couldn't tell from the real thing.
    
    PS - Local Pond location to go to the highest bidder....
    

    

    Congrats on that catch Paul, nice fish!  
    
    You just beat out my 7.5lber for the largest NH bass listed in here!
    
    Don Mac 8^(

    I launched at Lee's Mills and ran past Green's Basin and started
    fishing from the small circular island (just beyond the no wake
    zones) down to approx. 1/2 mile beyond the second marina on your
    left.  (That's the one near the high tension wires.)
    
    That region has some super small mouth areas and I've won the last
    4 club tournaments in that area with a min. of 18 lbs (5 fish always
    smallmouths).
    
    [Have you ever tried banana jig heads - supposed to not get stuck 
    between rocks so easily...]
    
    I've tried every kind of jig head ever made and the only way I find
    I can retrieve them is by either snapping the line - loose, not tight-
    or moving the boat to the opposite side of the cast.  I don't like
    doing the latter unless I'm fishing 20+ in open water.

    I've not found any type to be better as I set the hook on anything
    I feel.   (One never knows!)
    
    Tell you what, I'll trade you locations if you want to chase some
    smallies next year.  (Trade = both of us in the same boat.)  Better
    yet, if you really like smallies (I'd rather catch them than lm
    anyday) we could go to Waukewan.  I've caught more 4+lber's there
    than anywhere else and have seen 1/2 doz. 5lbers weighed in.  Besides,
    I've broken off at least one I know was well over 6 and I'd dearly
    love to tie it on again.  (Next time I won't use 4lb test.)
    
    Whoops, I better take Joe Tomas there 1st as I keep promising to
    do.
    
    
    
    The firm is in Minn.  Can't remember the name off hand. I do recall
    that they were very expensive - $8.00/in.  If my partner wasn't
    paying for most of it I think I'd live with the pictures.
    
    
    Paul
    
    

    
    
    	   I just caught my largest largemouth ever. She was 21" long
    and had a girth of 17". I looked for the formula to figure the 
    weight but I couldn't find it. If some one could either direct me
    to it or send it to me I would appreciate it. I caught her yesterday
    on a rooster tail and ultralight gear (4lbs. test). It took about
    10 min. to get her in, for a while I didn't think I was going to
    make it. The only problem with playing them that long is it really
    does tire them out. She was released unharmed (after another 10
    min. of baby sitting).
    
    						Thanks for any help,
    								
    								Al
       

    the" Doug Hannon rule of thumb says that that there bass would weigh
    in at 5.788125 lbs . This is the common formula used in most catch,
    measure and release tournaments :  W=LxLxL
                                       --------
                                       1600
    It is fairly accurate depending on time of year etc ..
    
    
    Al
    

    
    species:  largemouth bass
    weight:   6lbs 10oz  (digital scale)
    length:   about 22"
    location: New Hampshire
    date:     April 30, 1989
    bait:     white spinner bait,1/2 oz single colorado blade
    comments: On wednesday I boated a 6lber in the same spot. My partner
    caught a 5lb 12oz and a 6lb 4oz also in the same spot.  All fish were
    caught on spinner baits in 2-3' of water.  Surface temp was between
    52-53.6.
    
    What I'd give to catch one of these during a tourney.
    
    steve
     

    Good HAWG Steve. Care to be a bit more specific about location other
    than New Hampshire?

    SPECIES  :    LARGE Mouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :    7lbs 4oz
    LENGTH   :    22"
    LOCATION :    DonMac's "Honey Hole" in NH
    DATE     :    May 14, 1989
    BAIT/LURE:    Mepps Spinner Bait (5/8oz blue/chartruse single blade)
    COMMENTS :    After 3 years of serious effort, I got my mount.

    SPECIES  :    SMALL MOUTH BASS
    WEIGHT   :    7 lbs. 6 Oz.
    LENGTH   :    20"
    LOCATION :    WEST LAKE, ONTERIO, CANADA
    DATE     :    MAY 18,1989
    DAIT/LURE:    MEPPS #4 AGLIA GOLD NO FEATHERS
    COMMENTS :    UNFORTUNATELY NOT BASS SEASON SO SHE WENT BACK IN
    
    
    SPECIES  :    WALLEYED PIKE
    LENGTH   :    26"
    WEIGHT   :    9 lbs. 2 OZ.
    LOCATION :    WEST LAKE, ONTERIO, CANADA
    DATE     ;    MAY 20,1989
    BAIT/LURE:    MEPPS LUSOX #3 IN SAFETY ORANGE
    COMMENTS :    FED 12 HUNGRY FISHERMAN - THE BIGGEST CAUGHT BY ANY
    OF MY FISHING PARTY FOR THE 4 DAYS WE WERE THERE
    

    
    Species:  Largemouth Bass
    Weight:   4 1/2 (pocket scale)
    Length:   21"
    Girth:    14"
    Location: A1 in Westboro, in the stumps
    Date:     May 31, 1989 7:30pm
    Bait:     9" Jelly Worm
    Comments: It made it worth sitiing out the down pour that filled
    the canoe to my ankles. Also, I was out to rebuild my confidence
    after going five fishesless days in Maine. 

    
    Species:	Largemouth Bass
    Weight:	4lb (Pocket Scale)
    Length:	17"
    Location:	Allentown N.J.
    Date:	5/27/89
    Lure:	Panfish Popper, Barbless
    Equipment:	5wt Flyrod, 2lb leader
    Weather:	Calm before the storm          
    Comments: 	Was practicing presentations on Panfish in reedbeds when
    	      	it hit.

    
    Species:   Largemouth Bass
    Weight:    5.2 lbs (Pocket Scale)
    Length:    22"
    Girth:     15"
    Location:  A1
    Date:      6/3/89
    Lure:      Hula Popper
    Comments:  While I was taking a 4 plus pounder off my Crazy Crawler,
    	       my buddy cast his hula popper in the where I just got
    	       my fish and pulled in this monster. I think these fish
    	       are just starting to feed again now that they are rested
               up from spawning, they are pretty thin for the size frames
    	       they have. We will have to catch them again in a few
    	       weeks after they weigh a pound more.
    
    ....Should have made it this night Jeff...
    

    
    
    Species: Brook Trout
    Weight:  2.64 lbs (weighed on Deli scale)
    Length:  17 inches
    Location: Vermont
    Date:     6/11/89
    Lure:     Nightcrawler
    
    	- Yes, there are times when it's wet and wild that the 'Lowly'
    nightcrawler of which many of you may despise the use of comes in
    quite handy......
    
    - Rob
    
    
    

    Species: Largemouth Bass
    Weight:  6lbs 14 oz.
    Length:  23"
    Location: Quabin Res.
    Date:    7-2-89
    Lure:    3/8th oz Jig w/black-blue pork crawfish
    Equip:   /Med/Heavy casting with 14 lb Trilene XT
    Weather: Perfect...calm...sunny...about 85 degrees
    Comments: "Get the net!!! I'M SERIOUS!!!!"

    Species:	Largemouth
    Weight:	6lbs 10 oz.
    Length:	Long (don't know)
    Girth:	Fat (don't know)
    Location:	The Greater Leominster/Fitchburg area
    Date:	6-24-89
    Lure:	8" Plastic Worm
    Equip:	Med/Heavy Graphite with a Shimano Baitcaster, 12 lb test
    		Trilene
    Weather:	Weird...cloudy and muggy but it turned cooler as a front
    		came through
    Comments:	I really get the shakes when a 6 lb + bass decides to
    		jump...I released it for another day. Looking for an 8.

    Species:	Largemouth
    Weight:	6lb 6 oz.
    Location:	See previous note
    Date:	7-2-89
    Lure:	Same 8" brown plastic worm (the salt impregnated kind...)
    Equip:	Med/Heavy Graphite with a Shimano Baitcaster spooled with
    		12 lb. test Trilene.
    Weather:	Hot...mid to upper eighties, 11:30 in the morning.
    Comments:	This fish was in 2 feet of water under some coontail weeds.
    		Another catch and release. Still looking for an 8...

re last two

Nice fish Guy.  I don't suppose you would like to enlighten some of us 
Leominster boys where you got those fish?  :^)

Mike_L

       Yeah, really! I'm from Leominster too! How bout just a little
    hint??
                                               Denny

    
        
    7-2-89
        42 lb cod
        Al Gaurons party boat out of Hampton 

     Biggest dam fish I ever caught

    Kevin

    SPECIES:  Largemouth 
    WEIGHT:  7lbs 12oz
    SIZE:  24.5in
    LOCATION:  My Honeyhole, NH
    LURE:  My Favorite (ok... 8" red shad Gillraker)
    WHEN: Weds. July 5th
    
    COMMENTS:  My largest bass yet.  I had a camera with me, took a few
    pictures (one that shows the weight on the scale!), and released her.
    
    She appeared to have come off a bed (which surprized me), her tail was 
    worn and bloody from fanning the bed.  I was sure glad to have the
    camera along to take a few pictures and quickly release her.

  Don,
    Great Catch!!
    only one question, what time of day did you catch it??
    
    
    
    					Jim (When we going there??)

    Jim, it was mid day, around 2pm, maybe a little later... 
    
    donmac

    >> Jim, it was mid day, around 2pm, maybe a little later... 

    Mine was caught about 2:30PM.  Do you want to take the afternoon off and
    go fishing? 8-)

    keith

    It just goes to show you that you don't have to be the ealy bird
    that catches the worm (or bass in this case). I do some of my best
    bassn' between 10AM and 2PM...
    
    
    					Jim
    
    ps. When we going???

    I was convinced to enter this HAWG not because it is the biggest
    Bass I have caught recently but rather from whence it came.
    
    species:   Small Mouth
    weight:    4 lbs. (as accurate as my deliar permits)
    length:    21"
    lure:      gold Blue Fox Vibrax #3
    Date:      July 16
    Time:      5:30 PM
    Location:  The Nashua River, Nashua by BROX inc.
    
    Commentary:  There was a front approaching but several hours away
    yet, but the sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit cooler
    than it had been. I was fishing with my son who was catching lots
    of crappies and perch on trout worm and bobber. There was lots of
    surface activity from smaller fish snapping at surface bugs. I decided
    to throw a couple of lures towards the dead trees lining the side
    of the river in between helping my son get his crappies off his
    hook. The smallie hit the vibrax just as it fell over the top of
    a sandbar next to two trees. It put up a great fight and held on
    while my netman (age 6) calmed down long enough to bring it in.

    I am putting this fish in for my brother even though I am the one who
    should have hooked on to it.
    
    Species:      LARGEMOUTH BASS
    Weight :      5.75 lbs  (de liar)
    Lenth  :      21 inches
    Loacation:    Lake Aintnobasstocook
    Date:         8-14-89
    Time:         7:15 pm
    Bait/Lure:    Rattletrap (brown w/gold stripes)
    
    Comments:
    
    This is the third time in two weeks I have fished in this spot.  Each
    time I have been out there one of my partner(s) has caught a nice big
    bass (even though I caught two three pound smallmouths there)  The
    first time was with a friend who caught a 4 lber (19"), the second was
    with my brother (20" 4 3/4 lber) and the third time with my brother
    again caught the above fish.  I accounted his catching of the 5.75 lber
    due to that I was wearing his hat and the fish though that he was me.
    Nonetheless; I am saving up my luck a for either a 6 lb smallie or a 8+
    pound Largemouth.
    	 	I am going out there night fishing this weekend with a 
    bucket full of live crayfish, smelts, and frogs.
    
    Steve (I'm on a mission - Ultralight Equipped)
    
    PS: All fish were released for next years fishing enjoyment.
    

    The big ones are in.
    
    
    Species:  Salmon (Chinook)
    Weight:   37#
    Location: Garibaldi Bay
    Date:     8/19/89
    Bait:     plug cut herring
    
    

    
    I never thought I'd have a reason for entering a reply to this note,
    but YAHOOO!!
    
    Species:	Lake Trout
    Weight:	4.5 lbs (South Bend)
    Location:	Quabin Res
    Date:	8-27-89
    Bait:	Shiner off a davis spinner
    
    Comments: This was my first time at Quabin. I was a guest aboard a
    friends boat, the "TROUT HUNTER II".  Naturally, I was wearing my
    "Terminal Angler" hat. Between the three of us we had a pretty good
    day, total of 9 fish caught, 3 keepers (2 lakers, 1 salmon) 
    Still shakin' from the excitement!!!
    
    Ray
    

    SPECIES:   Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT:    5 lbs.  length (cubed)/1600
    LENGTH:    20"
    LOCATION:  Pentucket Pond  Georgetown, Ma.
    DATE:      9/2/89
    LURE:      Shad Rattlin' Rap Crankbait
    COMMENTS:  Caught at 1:30 P.M. along the edge of lilypads in 12'
               of water.  Real windy; lots of high thick clouds but
               mostly sunny.  Had my two oldest boys with me, ages 7
               and 4, so it was even more of a thrill.  Caught one a
               little bigger at A-1 a few weeks ago but it fell out of
               my hands before it could be measured.  Does anyone know
               of other formulas for calculating the weight of bass
               and the accuracy of these formulas? 

    
    
    SPECIES   :King SALMON
    WEIGHT    :34 lbs.
    LENGTH    :42"
    LOCATION  :Sodus Bay N.Y.  Lake Ontario
    DATE      :9/8/89
    LURE      :Lime green rebel w/jointed tail
    COMMENTS  :Caught around 8:00am using a down rigger
    

    rep .86
    from my experience and from what the golden rule is that formular
    is the most accurate. what i did was mark a measuring system along the
    yoke in my canoe. i place the basses mouth up against the side of the
    canoe and lie the fish on the yoke, perfect measuremnt every time. if
    the bass is extremely fat for its length i might add a little weight
    per size of the bass. for example a 20incher that is really fat would
    probably weigh 5 1/2 lbs., verses a 17 incher fat boy might only gain a
    1/4 lb. i don't know if its that accurate but whats a few ounces
    anyways unless your talking about some 7 3/4lb vs. 8lber. your mounting
    goal may be 7 or 8lbs and those few ounces really hurts at the official
    weigh in.
    
    by the way i believe that formular is only accurate to 23 inches.
    
      hope this helps some, mark

                         TROPHY  BROWN  TROUT
    
    SPECIES : BROWN  TROUT
    WEIGHT  : 11 pounds
    LENGTH  : 27 1/2 inches
    LOCATION : CONNECTICUT RIVER,PITTSBURG,N.H.
    DATE    : 29 April 1989
    BAIT/LURE :GOLD AL'S GOLDFISH WITH TREBLE HOOK REMOVED AND A TRU-TURN
              HOOK WITH SINGLE BARB,THREADED WITH A LARGE CRAWLER
    COMMENTS:early am,slightly overcast,cast/slow retrieve method.the
    AL'S GOLD FISH WAS GOLD WITH GREEN STRIPE WITH RED,YELLOW DOTS 
    PURCHASED AT SMALL STORE JUST OUTSIDE BAXTER STATE PARK,MAINE
    THE YEAR BEFORE :HAVE YET TO THE AL'S IN GOLD WITH THOSE DOTS IN
    NEW HAMPSHIRE.           
    '
    / 

    
    SPECIES  : LARGEMOUTH BASS
    WEIGHT   : 9 1/2 POUNDS
    LENGHT   : 25 1/2 INCHES
    LOCATION : LAKE GUAJATACA PUERTO RICO
    DATE     : 29 DEC 1989
    TIME     :7:30 A.M
    BAIT/LURE: REBEL F20 SILVER/BLACK BACK
    
    COMMENTS: CAUGHT ON A LOCAL BASS TOURNAMENT
    
    WILLIE 
    

     Re: .89, .90 - Now THOSE (!!!) are some HAWGS!!
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    SPECIES  :    Ole BucketMouth
    WEIGHT   :    7 lbs 4 ozs
    LENGTH   :    22.5"
    LOCATION :    Pawtuckaway lake
    DATE     :    April 26, 1990
    BAIT/LURE:    6" worm
    COMMENTS :    Fished s-l-o-w in about 5-6' of water.  This bass had the
		  biggest head I've ever seen for a 7 lber, but virtually
		  NO girth.  The fish was ALL head!  Judging from the length
		  and the size of the head head, I would guess that this fish 
		  would weigh between 8.5 and 9 lbs once she got some food in 
		  her.  Also caught 4 other small bucks .... about 1 # each.

		  Not bad for only the second time out this year!

    Joe did you release the fish or have her mounted?
    

    SPECIES   :  LAKE TROUT
    WEIGHT    :  12 LBS, 2 OZ.
    LENGTH    :  32 1/2"
    LOCATION  :  QUABBIN
    DATE      :  4-28-90
    BAIT      :  SHINER
    COMMENTS  :  ONE OF THE NICEST SPRING DAYS EVER ON THE BIG RES.
                 90 DEGREES, WATER ALMOST LIKE GLASS

The hawg was RELEASED!  I vowed not to mount a bass until I broke the 8 lb. 
mark.  Judging from the head size and length, this fish SHOULD have broken 8 
lbs had it had a normal girth.  In any event, it's back in the water to put 
on some weight.  As long as no one else catches it and keeps it, and 
assuming it stays in the same general area, I'll go looking for it in a 
month or two.

BTW...has it occured to anyone that during the time that NO bass may be kept 
in NH, that you would have to release a potential record fish.  Even if you 
broke the law to register the fish, I suspect NH F&G would disallow the 
record.    

re:            <<< Note 80.95 by ISLNDS::GAFFNEY "Gone fishin/racin" >>>

>    SPECIES   :  LAKE TROUT
>    WEIGHT    :  12 LBS, 2 OZ.
>    LENGTH    :  32 1/2"
>    LOCATION  :  QUABBIN

	Nice fish!!  Were you fishing the bottom ? 

	Ken

    You got it, took it on the bottom.  Here I spend hundreds of dollars
    on down riggers, Davis spinners, fancy lures and end up catching
    this one off of the bottom in about 20 feet of water.
    
    Later

    SPECIES  :    Brown Trout
    WEIGHT   :    16 lbs 8 oz
    LENGTH   :    ???
    LOCATION :    Soudus Bay,  Lake Ontario
    DATE     :    May 3, 1990
    BAIT/LURE:    Fastrack off of a planner board.
    COMMENTS :    I was using a 6' baitcaster with 12# test.   Great fun!!!
                   Caught a little 7.5 Steelhead also.

    SPECIES:	ole Battle AXe
    WEIGHT:     102 lbs
    height:     4'11"
    location:   Morton WA.
    date:       June 83
    bait:       """NONE"""
    COMMENTS:   I wasn't even Fishing and the hook was set.  I even did all
    the don'ts:  Talking dirty, Belching,  Eating with my fingers, etc...
    nothing worked.  The only bad part about it she is the biggest fish
    ever caught and I cant have he stuffed and mounted on the wall. 
    or Can I.>:->.
    
    but on a lighter side the largest fish I have caught to date is a 15" 
    rainbow but I am hoping to change this now that I have all this xtra
    smarts from this notes file.
    
    
    Jerry 
    (Berkley Beater)
    

    SPIECES::  Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT:  5 Lbs. 12 oz.
    Location  Manchaug Pond
    Date :  May 19, 1990
    Lure:  Orange/pepper Gitzit 
    	
    	This fish slammed the lure and would not budge.  Thanks to
    hurricane Manchaug ;>) the boat blew towards him at a good rate.
    Caught it near the wall in 8-10 feet of water just at the weed and
    rock line.  What a fight!!!  

    SPECIES:  Sea trout (Salmo trutta)
    WEIGHT:   9.1 kg (20 lbs)
    LENGHT:   86 cm  (34")
    GIRTH:    56 cm  (22")
    DATE:     19.05.-90
    LOCATION: Suvisaaristo in Espoo, Gulf of Finland
    LURE:     E.V.Trutta ( blue back, yellow sides, silver belly and
              some black spots on sides ) 
    TACKLE:   Kunnan Composite 9' + ABU Cardinal 66 + Trilene XT 12 lbs
    
    The fish hit in very shallow water, less than two ft, and jumped
    immidiately. Then it was some wild jumps more and a hard tug of war
    until it ended in the net. Luckily I had just purchased a REAL big
    one to replace my previous net. Weather was sunny but quite cold
    due to hard northern wind. 
    
    This is my personal record fish!
    
    Eki

     For some of the rest of y'all that don't follow trout fishing much,
    let me tell you that this is one HUGE (!!) sea trout. We call 'em sea
    run browns here, and they are unbelievably powerful. 
     Congratulations, Erkki !!
    
    -- The Skoal Bandit
    

    Species   : Largemouth
    Weight    : 6 lbs
    Length    : 21 1/4 in.
    Location  : So.N.H.
    Date      : May 16th
    Bait/Lure : Lizard BLk/Chrt
    Comments  : I always carry a camera in my box, would'nt you no it 
                my wife took it out when we went over my mothers house
                for mother's day. It was pouring out but a fish like that
                tends to warm things up. She's still swimming out there
                and will be bigger for next year.

    
    
    Species:   Brook Trout
    Weight:    3.24 lbs.
    Length:    20.5"
    Date:      5/27/90
    Location:  Paul Stream, VT
    Bait/lure:  Cleo
    Comments:  My Living room is going to start looking like an Aquarium!
               Big Male, beautiful coloration.
    
    
    

    SPECIES  :    Rainbow Trout
    WEIGHT   :    3+ lbs (not a HAWG, but my personal best)
    LENGTH   :    approx. 18" (never had to measure a fish before, tape
    		  	       broke from under use).
    LOCATION :    Monument Lake (WSA), Monument Colorado 
    DATE     :    5-26-90
    BAIT/LURE:    canned CORN of all things....
    COMMENTS :    After a full day of fishing, boredum got the best of me
    		  so I was playing with the rod... when this (no a HAWG)
    		  my personal best, desided to hook on. I was using 8lb
    		  test line, a salmon egg hook and small lead.
    

    
    
    Species:		Smallmouth Bass
    Weight :		4lbs 1oz
    Location:		Webster Lake Webster, MA
    Date    :		31-may-1990
    Bait    :		Brown/orange 3/8oz fleck spinner baot with 2 orange
    			colorado blades
    Comments:		White caps fished on a rock point on the wind
    			blowen shore line.
    
    	This is the second larges small mouth that I have ever caught. 
    Nice fish only jumped once but was taking line when ever he   (she)
    wanted it.  This fish at a large empty bellie, must have been on a post
    spawn eating turn.  
    
    	Just ask the kiver I though his eyes where going to pop out of his
    head when I got it in the boat!
    
    Bassin Bob

Paul and I went out last Friday and headed up north near Winnie for some 
smallmouth action.  And ACTION is what we found!  Over 12 hours and between 
the two of us, we caught and released between 70-80 smallies, from 1.5 to 
3 pounds.  Almost 95% were males and they were unbelievably defensive of 
their nests.  I lost count of how many were hooked two or three times before 
we finally brought them to the boat.  I lost one smallie that was pushing 5 
pounds.  He must have jumped 6-7 times in a fantastic aerial demonstration 
before throwing the hook right next to the boat.

Needless to say, it had to have been the best action I've ever seen.  My 
arms were sore!

-HSJ-

Species:		Smallmouth Bass
    Weight :		3lbs 6oz
    Location:		Lake Quinsigamond, MA
    Date    :		6-1-1990 @7:00pm
    Bait    :		Blue-gill gitzit 1/8 oz weight
    Comments:		Hardly bit, Noticed line moving in-between sip of
                        beer. I set the hook and hung on.

  This is a BIG fish for this lake. I just hope he stay's where I left him. I
need him back when it counts.

  "Bassmaster"
 

    Species  :		Smallmouth Bass
    Length   :		18"
    Weight   :		Unknown, but it was husky (I don't trust my De-liar)
    Location :		Paugus Bay, Lake Winnipesaukee
    Date     :		June 8, 1990
    Bait     :		The famous "John Easter" model Bomber Long A
    Comments :		Nicest smallie I ever caught. Big, strong fish!
    			...and I let him (her?) go

    Nice fish Ed, that bomber does work... 
    
    btw, in case anyone was not aware, all NH HAWGS, and all NH bass for that 
    matter MUST be let go from may 15-jun 15 - it's the law...
    
    it'd be tough had you been looking for a mount for a few years and then
    having finally caught it and have to release it... but there's always 
    fiberglass replicas....  
    
    donmac

    
    
    Ed,
       Don't ya just love those nice smallies!!!  I'm not sure, but I'd say
    your fish was 4lbs. or better.  A beautiful fish anywhere!!!
    
    Bear
    
    

Hi folks....got a half day reprieve from jury duty so, like a fool, I came 
into work.  Had to catch up on the notes, ya know.

BTW...a friend of mine told me that there was an article in the Nashua paper 
last week that said and EIGHT POUND smallie was trapped in the fish ladder in 
Manchester and released above the dam.  EIGHT POUNDS!!  If I'm not mistaken, 
the person that catches that will have a new state record for smallmouth!

I can see everyone flocking to the Hooksett launch now...

-HSJ-

    Species  Smallmouth
    Location Winnipesaukee
    Weight   5.00 lbs
    Lenght   20 1/4"
    Date     May 26th
    Bait     Gitzit 
    Comments: I got this fish in 12-15ft of water. Unfortunately I caught
              him a week to early, as we had our NHB tournament their the 
              following week. My two fish weigh in did not equal this one.

    
    
     Species  :         Largemouth Bass
     Length   :         22"
     Weight   :         6 lbs  13 oz.
     Location :         Top secret "Maine"
     Date     :         June 16, 1990
     Bait     :         Black + Blue Spinner bait
     Comments :         The fish was totally exhausted from spawning.
                        If I had caught her a week sooner she would 
                        have been well over 7 lbs.

    Yow, that's huge for a Maine fish!
    
    I hope you let her go...
    
    Ed
    

	SPECIES: Smallmouth Bass
	WEIGHT : 3 3/4 lbs. (Deliar)
	DATE  :  6/24 (early AM)
	LOCATION : Wachusett Res.
	LURE    : Black bodied spinnerbait, single silver blade.

	COMMENTS : Ok so its not a giant, but a memorable fish for me :

		1st smallmouth I've caught in Wachusett
		1st decent fish I've caught on a spinnerbait
		Largest smallmouth I've ever caught
		Fought like hell! God I LOVE smallmouth!!

				Robert.

	P.S. fish was released.

	SPECIES: Bass
	WEIGHT : 4 lb 6 oz
	DATE  :  6/16 (early AM)
	LOCATION : My backyard
	LURE    : Red with blue fleck jig w/ a #11 pork frog

	COMMENTS : 

		   first good size Bass out of the lake, it's not uncommon
		   to catch 2 to 4 dozen 13" in a day but this is the first 
		   good size one so far.

		   

	P.S.       Put it in the live well to get it weighed a few pics and 
		   released to mix in some of those big fish genes


Johnny Roach

    
    
    SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT:  Unknown
    Length:  about four inches
    Location: a pond
    Lure:     Brown fly
    
    
    Comments: had the brown fly dangling in the water while I was looking
    for a new one to tie on. lifted my line out of the water and there
    he was. First bass of the year!
                                   
    p.s. he went back in real quick. gonna catch him in a couple of
    years.
          
                                     Walt

    
    
    
    Species: EASTERN BROOK TROUT X 3
    Weight:  4 Lb +
    Length:  22 +
    Date: 6/19/90 and 6/22/90
    Location: Extreme Northern Maine
    Lure: #8 Dry fly tied on locale to match the hatch (giant green caddis)
    
     In the most incredible fishing experience of my life I took three
    brook trout of over four pounds on dry fly while fishing from my float 
    tube on a remote wilderness pond. One was taken on the first day and two 
    further on the second day. My partner, had two even more incredible 
    days... landing a total of five massive tortugua's all over four.....all 
    fish were released.
    
       Tight lines
    
          Ed

    
    	Ed, I'm Drooling....  We fish a lot for Brookies here in VT, and
    rarely do we see them much in excess of 14"-15"..   Nice Fish,
    congrats!!  makes my 2 1/2 and 3 1/4 seem small....  

    Ed,
    
    Get out of this note file you crazy man!!  Nice fish buddy!!
    
    				Bart Lasky

    
    
    
    Yo BART...
    
       Usually I'm a read only type o' guy in this file....in keeping
    with my purist FFO only and C&R image (I like Mrs. Pauls better than
    fresh caught...:*)...).....sort of a amusement...although I do get a lot
    of info on bassin habitat which has been real useful for my flyrodding
    efforts.
    
       But since this was a once in a lifetime (if your lucky) catch I felt
    justified to enter my "hawgs" over here.....even though I didnt eat
    em...:*).....No slagging guys...just joking...;&)..
    
      tight lines
      
        Ed
    

    Nice fish Ed!
    
    but - just a little slaggin... in defense of us bassers 8^)
    
    Come on now, you can bust us for being metal chuckers on metal flake
    monsters, but ya can't bust us for not practicing catch and release!  
    
    tight lines, 
    
    donmac -    who hasn't yet learned how to cast a fairy wand, just can't
    	 	seem to get that wrist limp enough 8^)	

    
    
    
    Ahh DonMAc appears for a little "slagnrun".....
    
    Yah..you boys have been getting much better around C&R the last coupla
    years...and should be proud of the fact.
    
    I 'magine you bassers all have very very strong wrists....but not from
    casting..........;8)..you figure it out.....Fairy wands indeed.
    
    
     E
    

     Species: PICKEREL
     Weight:  5.38 Lb
     Length:  29.12
     Date: 23 June 1990
     Location: Fitchburg Sportsman Club, Swallow Hill Middle Pond
     Lure: Mepps Killer Pickerel Lure, Dressed.

    		It was the late a.m. sun was shining 73 Degrees. 
    I was trying about some new spinners not really expecting to
    catch anything bigger than a foot, when the rod went zap. At
    first I was pissed because I thought it was snagged, but the
    zig-zaging motion prompted me to think otherwise. Four minutes
    later I was dragging on shore this whopper. Nothing like making
    the ole' adrenalin go screaming.
    
    
    	b

     Species:  Small Mouth Bass
     Weight:   <what was that formula again?>
     Length:   18"
     Date:     14 July 1990
     Location: T.C.

    	Took this beauty for the fish fry using live shiner weighted
     approx. three feet below a torpedo bobber. Excelent fight due
     in part to being jaw hooked as apposed to hooked in the gullet.

    
    
    
             Species: King Salmon
             Weight : 33 Lbs
             Length : 40.75 inches
             Date&time: 7-2-90 7:50pm
             Location: Oswego NY
             Lure   : black & purple NK 28 off a dipsy diver
     

    
    
             Species: Rainbow Trout
             Weight : 5.5 + Lbs
             Length : 27.25 inche
             Date&time: 7-6-90 8:40am
             Location: Skagway  .. Victor, Co.
             Lure   : # 2 Mepps
     
		Boy did that thing taste good! Fed 5 of us.

    
    
    	Species: Largemouth Bass
    	Weight : 5 lbs 2 oz
        Lenghth: 21 inches
    	Date & Time: 7-19-90 5:30PM
        Location: Johnsons Pond, North Andover
        Lure:    Black Spinnerbait (1/2 oz) with a single deep cup gold
    		 colorado blade and very small twin tail grub trailer.
    		 Water temp 75 depth 5 feet
    
    		 This was your classic hit, told my brother see that clump
    		 of lily pads, theres one on the edge, tossed the old
    		 spinner right on the spot and bang hit me like a ton
    		 of bricks.  My brother was in awe of this awesome cast
    		 prediction and catch, it was worthy of a Jimmy Houston
    		 show segment.
                                           

    
    	Species: Largemouth Bass
    	Weight : 5 lbs 
        Length: 20.5 inches
    	Date & Time: 7-1-90 9:30am
        Location: The River
        Lure:    5 inch brown NUNYA.

	Threw the Nunya over the pads in front of me to a pocket of water 
	between the bank and pads. Quick hit, missed the hook set. Reel in
	quickly next cast same spot. Another hit, bang she was on. Dragged
	her into the pads and got hung up good. Put the motor on 5 and 
	cranked in. ( Yes Keg I replaced the prop you broke ) Ripped through
	the pads like a madman and came up with the fish. Took some pictures
	and released her for another day.

	Rich

    SPECIES  :    Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :    5 lbs (de-liar & l^3/1600)
    LENGTH   :    20"
    LOCATION :    Nashua River
    DATE     :    31-Jul-1990 about 6:30 in the evening
    BAIT/LURE:    4" plastic worm, pumpkin, pepper flake
    COMMENTS :    I decided to try this so-called finesse fishing.  I
                  fished the worm with a 1/16 oz worm weight, pegged.
                  Cast to a steep bank. The worm landed about 6" from
                  shore.  She hit it on the fall.  I thought it was a
                  pickerel as she didn't jump at all.

                  This is my personal best and a goal I set for myself
                  for this year:  Meet or break the 5lb mark.

                  Too bad this wasn't a tourney!

Tim

P.S.  I was fishing with David Haigh from a Coleman Crawdad.  The river
sure is low.  We had to lift the crawdad onto the trailer to get it out.

    SPECIES  :    Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :    5 lbs 4 oz
    LENGTH   :    20"
    LOCATION :    Nashua River
    DATE     :    5-Aug-1990 
    BAIT/LURE:    Spinnerbait
    COMMENTS :    My best ever on the river.
    
    keith

    SPECIES  :    Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :    5 lbs +/-
    LENGTH   :    19" but FAT
    LOCATION :    Pawtuckaway lake (in the river part)
    DATE     :    3-Aug-1990 (about 10 p.m.) 
    BAIT/LURE:    Black Hulapopper w/blk+wht skirt
    COMMENTS :    Not the biggest I've caught here but worth mentioning.
    		  Jumped about 2' out of water twice. Released it so it
    		  could get bigger. Almost a full moon Friday night.
    
    	RAYJ
    

    
    Species : Largemouth Bass
    Weigth  : 6 1/4lbs
    Length  : 21 1/2"
    Location: Big Island Pond
    Date    : 08/06/90
    Bait    : 8" Red shad gillracker
    Comments: This is the second time this year that I have fished in 
              pouring rain and caught a 6Lb fish. This fish was very
              wide he almost had shoulders.

    
    Species: Small Mouth Bass
    Weight:  6 Lb +
    Length:  21"+ 
    Location: Little Pond Sidney maine.
    Date: 7/28/90
    Bait: Pearl Cortland Popper on 9Ft WF7F
    Comment: Hooked this fish right at dark after several others in the 3-4 Lb
             range. Fortunately I had a big rock handy to brace me feet on or 
             he would of taken my float tube for a fast ride. Look out Al! 
    
      Tight lines
    
      Ed

    Nice fish Ed!  If I'm not mistaken that's the largest smallie listed in
    here!  Congrats!  
    
    donmac - who is still waiting to catch his first 5lb+ smallie, and who
    	     has not even broken the 4lb mark yet this year and is getting 
             awfully jealous reading about all of these hawgs!
    

    Entered for Modest Dave..who doesnt frequent this note..but deserves
    recognition.
    
    Species: Small Mouth Bass
    Weight:  6 Lb +-
    Length:  21"
    Location: Little Pond..Palermo Maine
    Date:  8/6/90
    Bait: Pearl Cortland Popper on 9Ft WF5F
    
    Follows a breif description of the battle...like all bass we torment this 
    fish was released...no camera either...Weep weep..;*):
    
                  -< Flyfishing, where imitating life is art >-
================================================================================
Note 468.104                   1990 Trip reports!                     104 of 104
DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVID "That sounds like noise Mr. Va" 32 lines   7-AUG-1990 09:21
                            -< 'pout on a popper! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A quick one. Last night my fellow ordealmaster and I decided to try to find a 
"remote" pond out near my house. After some fudding about we finally stopped
and Ed asked the owner of a house if he knew of the pond's locale. The 
gentleman pointed us out thorugh his field and said go for it. We drove
down to the pond and suited up (full float tube gear). After an interesting
ingress to the pond, walking out on a mat of floating (and very soft) grass
and such forth, mucking though some boggyness we found enough water to begin 
fishing. Ed quickly managed a small smallmouth bass, and after a short time
I switched to the deadly white popper. A long cast to some weeds was rewarded
with a loud slap and the battle was on. Almost immediately a very large 
fish tail rose from the water and the fish began it's opening run. Frustrated
the fish jumped shortly after. I was impressed. Ed was impressed. This was a 
big bronze monster! The fish ran a good 40-50 feet and leaped into the air
two more times before charging me. I kept up as well as I could as the fish 
then jumped again and again. At one point in the battle Ed came and towed
me and the fish back away from the weed beds where this beast had been lying
in wait. Finally the fish rolled over and came to me, only to jump one 
last time, about three feet in front of me, soaking me. and then came in
for unhooking. 21" + smallmouth bass, very fat, very dark bronze colored. Very
close to 6lbs + or -.

The biggest smallmouth I've ever seen! A big fish with a good attitude!

the rest of the night rather paled in comparison, sparsely spaced smaller fish
were all we saw...with the largest probably in the 1 to 1.5 lb range.

dave

ps: re: the title a few nights ago in total darkness I took a 10-11 " hornopout
on a bass popper! Seems like everytime I think I've got fishing sorta figured
out something unusual happens!
    
    

    
    Species: Flint River Smallmouth (Redeye)
    Weight:  6 lbs 4 oz
    Length:  22"
    Location: Flint River - Thomaston, Georgia
    Date:    7/30/90
    Bait:    Grape Plastic Worm (Culprit)
    
    Caught it while wading about 11:30 AM.

    Species  :Smallmouth
    Location :Waukwan
    Weight   :2.9 lbs
    Lenght   :18"
    Date     :Aug 18, 9:00 AM
    Bait     :Gitzit 
    
    Comments: After fishing for three hours with *no* action, I dropped a
              craw-colored gitzit in about 15-20 ft of water off a rocky
              point, and next thing I knew the rod was bent in a circle and
              the drag was whizzing like crazy. Every time I tried to reel
              him in, he took off on a run again. Finally he tired a bit
              and I was able to boat him. After three hours of nothing,
              this guy looked beautiful! The only dissapointment was when I
              tried to unhook him I found that he had swallowed the hook
              all the way into his stomach and could not be unhooked
              without serious injury. 
    
              At first I thought that he was destined for the frying pan, 
              but I had an idea. I took 14lb test line and carefully
              restrained him through the lowest point of the gill area, and
              tied the other end to the dock, figuring that if he still
              looked ok later in the day, then maybe he could survive long
              enough for ohis stomach to dissolve the hook and let him
              recover. I reasoned that his chances of surviving this way 
              were a bit better than if I cooked him!
    
              Anyhow, he seemed ok later in the day, so I took a few photos
              and carefully released him. He swam around slowly for a while,
              and seemed more active by the minute, so I'm hoping to see
              him again someday.

    Species  :Largemough
    Location :Winnipesaukee, Paugus Bay
    Weight   :??
    Lenght   :17"
    Date     :Aug 15, 6:30 AM
    Bait     :grub
    
    Comments: Yup, a rare Winni largemouth! He lives in a large patch of weeds 
              off the dock, and comes out with is pal (bigger than him I
              think) every now and then just to ignore my lures and drive
              me nuts! This time I caught him cruising beneath the boats
              after spending half an hour casting into the weeds. That
              grub fooled him enough for me to finally bag him. 
    
              I almost got his buddy, too. He took the lure, but the hook set 
              didn't take and off he went...
    

    I was going to put a note in here giving Ed a hard time about
    registering a 2.9lb smallie as a hawg, but I decided not to... 8^)
    
    donmac

    
         Species: Largemouth
         Weight: 5 lbs. 9 ozs.
         Where: Beaver Lake
         When: 8/17/90 
         
             This was my personal best for the year so far. I also caught
    one over 4 lbs. In the two and a half hours I was out I landed a total
    of 13 fish. 

    Species:Barbel 
    
    Weight:7lb 12oz
    
    Bait: Hot Dog segments
    
    My biggest barbel so far, a real "lunker", took 10 minutes to get up
    from the river bed, a further 10 to reach the net..(my arms DID hurt
    :-)
    
    		Simon
    

    .147  Good decision Don!  Seeing where YOU haven't even caught one that
    big this year!!
    
    							Legend

    Unfortunately your almost right, Legend.  I haven't crossed the FOUR
    pound mark yet this year - let alone my annual goal of 5+lbs.
     
    Maybe it's cyclical: 3 years ago I caught 7lb8oz, 2 years ago I didn't 
    break the 5lb mark until fall (and barely broke it), then last year I 
    caught a 7lb12oz - so this year may be another dud - but that will be ok 
    if I get to register an 8lber next year!
    
    donmac

>    I was going to put a note in here giving Ed a hard time about
>    registering a 2.9lb smallie as a hawg, but I decided not to... 8^)
    
    donmac,
    
    Well, after giving it some thought I concluded that a "hawg is in the eye
    of the beholder" ie. that there's at least some basis for the fisherman 
    deciding whether or not his catch qualifies as a hawg. Since these fish
    I listed are the not only the biggest I have ever caught, but the
    biggest I have ever seen (don't get around much, do I!), then why not
    register them here. Of course now that I have established my own personal
    high water mark, you won't see any more 2.9 lb hawgs entered here by me!
    
    Of course if I ever hook up with a 6 pounder, I'll probably fall out of 
    the boat from the shock!
    
    Ed
    

    Your absolutely right Ed, congrats on your catch!  
    
    donmac 
    
    ps: I'm looking forward to bustin' you about your first 4.5lber real
    soon!

    Species: Largemouth Bass
    Weight: 6 lbs. +
    Lure: Black/grape 7" Lizard
    Location: Baboosic Lake (She's still there).
    Line : 6lb Bagley AN-40
    Rod: All Star w/Tennessee Handle
    Reel: Shimano AeroCast.
    Date: 8/12/90
    
     I also have a kinda unusual entry. 2 One lb. bass on the same lure
    (Tiny Torpedo) on the same cast. 3 Casts later, I had another double on
    the same lure. This is a "first" for me.
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    
    			-<  CAPE COD TUNA  >-
    
    	SPECIES: GIANT BLUEFIN TUNA
    	WEIGHT:  310lbs
    	LENGTH:  80"
    	LOCATE:  20+ Miles East of Chatham
    	DATE:	 5-AUG-1990
    	
        BAIT/LURE: "Top Secret" per Captains wishes.
    	TACKLE:     More than I can afford.       
    
    	Went on "free" charter outta Dennis Port onboard The MISTRESS. 
    	Trip was wedding gift (this past Dec 22nd) from my wife's brother
    	who owns the Red River Print Shop in West Harwichport.  He had
        "bartered" for this trip with printing work for the Captain.
    
    	We received a call on Saturday the day before our trip from
        the Captain who wanted to know if we'd reather go for Tuna 
    	instead of Blues.  We all said "does a Whale $%^& in the Ocean?". 
    	
    	3:30am Departed in fog and foggy all the way out.  This was
        no problem for the Captain or the Boat since both had all the 
    	"Right Stuff" but before we left he talked to the pilot of our 
        "spotter plane".  Yup they actually do that.  She was up there 
        above the fog trying to find us and we were trying to look up 
        and find her but no dice.  She finally had to head back but
        did give us a good fix on some Tuna she sighted so we headed 
        out to about where we thought she had been flying. (good guess!!!)
     
    	10:00am Fog lifted and we saw lot's of Whales, Porpois and one
        shark getting a sun tan.  Got lot's of pic's with 3 35mm camera's 
        on board so we had a free Whale Watch for no extra charge.
    
    	11:00am a Blue hit and we had to race like crazy to bring in
        the other 3 rod's to save our "Top Secret" stuff.  We got out
    	of the school of Blues to go for the still illusive big one's.
    
    	12:30pm She hit with naturally nobody (except the mate) watching.
    	The outrigger she hit on came out of it's mouring so the activity
    	on board was very interesting.  All at once we had me in the
        chair assigned the task of hooking onto the reel etc.  Other's
    	running around getting the other 3 rod's reeled in.  The Mate
    	taking the Rod (with Tuna) and trying to set it properly in
        the fighting chair.  The captain trying to steer the boat so
        we could get in fighting position etc.  My wife, jean,  did a 
        great job taking pictures during all this activity and caught 
        the action that I'll be able to re-live over again and again.
    
    	Fought the fish for 20min during which we thought she spit the
        hook but she was just running fast towards the boat.  My heart
    	went to my toes when the mate said "she spit it"....I was more
    	worried about losing the fish for the "crew" then for myself.
    	But "we" finally got her onboard.
    
    	12:50pm Tuna by the Boat and harpooned.
    
    	What a beautiful catch.  My largest fish (so far!!! ) Prior to this
        my largest was a 25 lbs Stiper taken while chartering with a bunch 
        of "DECies from Westfield back in the early 70's. (I Love Stiper's)
    
    	We fished some more but no more hit's
    	
    	6:30pm We landed at the dock and a fish company truck was waiting.
    	The captain had radioed ahead and worked out the best $ to sell
    	the Tuna.  They came on board the boat and took 2 slices of
        steak from the tail.  A Japanese person did all the test which
    	included "taste", "smell", "color", "fat content" etc.  I was
    	surprised to learn that the more fat the better?  Four of us
        tasted the meat and it was "Awesome".  I have had Sushi before
        and some was Tuna but absolutley nothing I've ever had in Sushi
    	ever came close to the fresh "no smell" sweet taste of this
        Tuna.
    
    	The Captain got $9.50/lbs for it so a check was given to him
        for $2,945.00.  I think the mate get's 20% of that.  All we
        got was 20lbs of Live Lobsta (The Captain owe;s a Fish Market)
    	and a free trip.  We are going again Sept 8th but by then it
    	may be a BlueFishing trip but who knows maybe the Tuna will
    	still be hanging around.  This time it'll be my brother-in-law
    	doing the work.
    
        By the way.  The Tuna was taken to Logan and flown to Japan
        where I was told it will be there within 48hrs and sell for
    	$10/oz and of the 310lbs you get about 240lbs of meat.  So that's 
        about $38,000.00 for Raw Fish.
    	Yum Yum
    
    	thanks for letting me tell my fish story.
    	
    	dick

    GREAT FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Species: Largemouth
    Lenght:  20 3/4
    Weight:  6lbs.3oz
    Lure:    worm 
    Lake:    So N.H.
    
    This is the 3rd 6lb plus fish I caught this year and the first when it
    was'nt raining. This fish gave me the best battle, I picked him up in 
    about 10ft of water and he forced me to run from the bow of my boat to 
    the stern twice. A couple of pictures and he was swimming were she
    belonged for the till the next time. 

 re: Dick

 I think you need to be stabbed. :-) :-)

 Just kidding. A bunch of us are envious. We've been trying for a while with
no luck; it's painful to hear of a first timer getting one on a free trip no
less. :-}

 Yes, the tuna will still be around in September. They will be around until 
october, more or less. The later in the season, the better the price because the 
fat content is highest then.

 A magnificent animal. Well done!

 The Doctah

    re: The Doctah
    
    Thanks for the "atta-boy".  Don't be envious as all of you will
    have a day (or more) soon.  I wish you all the best.
    
    Actually it was my second trip.  I went with the Westfield gang
    on a "Tuna" trip once outta Niantic, CN "way back" and caught a 
    few Bonito. We tried to get a lazy 12' or so Hammerhead to bite 
    one of the Bonito but no luck.  Sorry but I didn't count that 
    Bonito as my first Tuna since most of my Blue's and Strper's caught
    were far bigger and gave more of a fight.
    
    Thanks for letting me know I may see another Tuna on Sept 8th when
    we go again.  My brother in-law will do the fighting this time.
    "I hope"
    
    dick
    
    
    dick 

    
    Hey Doctah!
    
    	Dick (my hubby) and I are supposed to go out again this weekend!
    Unfortunatly the weather isn't looking too favorable at this moment...
    Anyway, we're hoping to catch another to come home and talk about.
    
    	My brother is supposed to be in the fighting chair this time
    though and if he catches one then it's *MY* turn!!!  The way I figure
    it, they're going to have to back the boat up for me to haul in
    something like the one Dick caught!  (It really was a beautie!)
                                                                
    
    					jean
    

 Yep- it looks like it might be a mite rough out there. Hope you don't mind
getting bounced around. :-)

 Good luck- hope you get another one.

 The Doctah

    SPECIES: SEA TROUT (SALMO TRUTTA)
    SIZE:    5.6 KG (12 LBS)
    TACKLE:  CORMORAN POWERGRIP 7'6", SHIMANO 3000
    LURE:    PARAVAN SALAMANDER 16G
    
    Quite an uneventfull fight, the fish was lame and tame, but the
    weather made it hard. Strong easterly and ten feet swell, occasional
    rain to top it. First decent sized fish for the season and after all
    it tasted GOOD!  ;^)  We practised some "no catch, only release" with
    a couple of smaller ones, hard weather helped the fish and on the
    other hand they obviously mishitted badly.
    
    Eki
    

This is my first chance to enter a reply here.

	Largemouth Bass.
	20/22" long,
	>4lb. Since I did not have a scale I could not weigh it.

I was watching the Bassmasters yesterday and the Pro's Ponter was a 
different way to rig a worm especially for use near trees, using a 4" 
leader so the hook was near the tail rather than the middle. This 
allows the worm to sink slowly and flat, also you can control the 
action of the worm in how you position the body.So I decided to try it.

Off I go to the Nashua River. About 2:30pm the biggest fresh water fish I 
have ever got. I was using a 6" dark red worm rigged as above. This fish was 
a real fighter however he did not jump only fought in the water.

I also got a couple more with this rig.

David.

    
    	Nice fish and I guess we all learn by trying new things that
        we pick up from TV, our friends or reading NOTES files.
    
    	dick

             <<< RANGER::$2$DUA31:[NOTES$LIBRARY]FISHING.NOTE;1 >>>
               -< Fishing Notes - Home of the Terminal Anglers >-
================================================================================
Note 1504.0                   Anirondak Largemouth                    No replies
GNPIKE::GOGUEN "Ah yes, it all seems so bloody easy..."  12 lines  27-SEP-1990 13:03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
        Species: Largemouth
        Lenght:  19"
        Weight:  5lbs
        Lure:    9" purple/firetail worm
        Lake:    Garnet Lake, N.Y.
    	Date:	 5-Sep-1990
    
    
    			-KG
    

    
    	Hey Ken did you release that lunker or did you fry it up in
    	a heavy black skillet over a nice woodfire in some good ole
    	bacon fat???
    
    	dick

    
    
            Species: Largemouth
            Lengths: 19"   21"
            Weights: 4,15  6,3
            Lure:  #11 Floating silver Rapala
            Lake: Somewhere in N.H.
            Date: 9/29/90
    
    Caught in a "smallmouth" lake (or so I thought). In 3 years of fishing,
    I had caught nothing but smallies in this lake. Got the first one on
    the surface and the second on the retrieve three hours later. My best
    two fish on one day in New England. They still swim with the fishes.
    
    Chris

     Chris, I bet you were at Deering, Winnipocket (sp ?) or Winnipesaukee.
    Bet you let out (or drank) a little "Rebel Yell ..."
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    Jack- 
    
    Wrong on the lake, right on the rest.
    
    Chris

    Chris,
    	What did you do with them???  Release or Eat???
    	Ether way....nice fish
    Dick

    
    SPECIES:	Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT:     5 lbs 12 oz
    LENGTH:     22"
    LOCATION:   THE RIVER
    date:       10-9-90
    bait:       NUNYA 
    COMMENTS:   Wife was in the back of the boat reading the Sunday paper
when I hooked into it. Me "GET THE @$#%^% NET" Her "What? do you have a fish?"
I cant repeat what else I said. She almost fell out of the boat when she saw 
it roll over. KEG, She had no problem netting it like some people. I took it
for a little ride up to the bait shop for a photo session, then released her.

    
    
    SPECIES:  Chinook Salmon  Male
    WEIGHT:   23 lbs
    LENGTH:   37 1/2 in.
    LOCATION: Salmon River Pulaksi, NY.
    Date:     Sept. 28, 1990
    BAIT:     Red sponge
    Comment:  Everyone should have the pleasure of hooking up with one of
              these monsters! Not as easy to land as I had expected.
                                  

                          (Got one toooooo!)
    
    
    
    
    SPECIES: CHINOOK SALMON  FEMALE
    WEIGHT:  24 lbs
    LENGTH:  36 in.
    LOCATION: Salmon River Pulaski, NY.
    DATE:     SEPT. 23, 1990
    BAIT:     Red sponge
    Comments: First one in three yrs. Odd thing was never ran up river,
              headed straight back for the lake. What a hike!

    SPECIES:  Steelhead
    WEIGHT:   11 lbs
    LENGTH:   32 in.
    LOCATION: Umpqua River around the town of Tyee, Or.
    DATE:     1-26-91
    BAIT:     Wee-Wart plug  (Silver and Orange)
    
    COMMENTS:  The second trip this year for winter steelhead.  The first
    was just a long, cold boat ride.  We put in at about 7:30 and in 10
    minutes the eyes of our rods were froze over.  We continually had to
    clear ice off our reels and line.  But, by 8:10 we had one in the boat.
    We caught another in 1 hour and a third by 10:00. - 3 people, 3 fish -
    
    We drifted the river the rest of the day and no more hits.  Took out at
    about 4:30, froze stiff, but happy.  It's unusual to have that kind of
    luck on winter steelhead.
    
    Ken
    

    
    	ken,
    		Nice fish.  Hope you took some ice"pic's" of it for
    the PHOTO ALBUM?  Check out note 1482 as we would like to see this
    in the book for "evidence".
    
    dick
    

    
    
          SPECIES: Tiger Musky
          WEIGHT: 10 Lbs
          Length: 36.5 inches
          Location: Lake Urine
          Date: February 2,1991
          Bait: Nunya
          
          Took about 10 minutes to wear this guy down enough to get 
          his head into the hole (no gaff) I managed to slip a finger
          under each gill and lift him out of the hole.I think I'll 
          invest in a gaff seeing they enjoy the taste of human blood.
          I'll have a picture for the book and a nice wallmount to boot.
    
    
                              
                                         The Keg
    

    Species:  Steelhead
    Location:  Snoqualamie River (below Snoqualamie Falls, you know, the
    one shown on Twin Peaks), Wa.
    Weight:  15lb4oz
    Bait:  Hammered silver spoon
    Date:  1/4/91
    
    Weather was cold, iced up guides, reel, etc.  Picked it up after about
    3 hours of drifting corkies and eggs, 3rd cast with the spoon.  About
    15 minutes to land (fishing from the bank) trying to get it across the
    current.
    
    Also got a 4 pounder on the same spoon.
    
    
    Mike Saunders
    

    
    	What a nice fish....stripes and all.
    	Looking forward to having the "evidence" mounted in the Album.
    	I have it this week here in NRO4 and that Musky would look nice
    	in it.
    
    	Curious though?  Didn't your boat sink pulling that lunker up
    			 through the hole in the boat????
    
    			 Hope you had some big bandaid's.
    
    	Dick "Tuna Tale"
    

    "Purty fish," Mike ! You know, the more I hear about fishin' for
    steelies in the NW, the more I think that folks back east are missin'
    the boat. As long as we have been going to the Salmon river in the
    winter, we NEVER see or hear of guys using spinners or spoons. Everyone
    uses corkies, floating jig heads or mostly spawn sacs. 
    
     Sure spinners and spoons cost more, but you can cover a lot of water -
    and I hear fish really whale 'em so you don't miss pickups like you do
    with sacs. Of course a lot of time our water temps are 33-35 degrees.
    Talk to me Mike ! Convince me that these tactics work, because I'd much
    rather try them. Do you guys use spoons, etc. in real cold water ? What
    kind, what types of water and how do you fish 'em ?
    
    Needing help,
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    
    	Brrrr.....nice fight nice Steelhead but sounded like a chilly
    		  day on the River.
    
    	Don't tell me you didn't have a camera?
    	We need "evidence" for our Album.
    	Those throw away camera's fit nice in a tackle box.
    
    	Dick "Tuna Tale"

    re. 186/187
    My wife took about 8 pictures when I got home.  
    
    Regarding spoons, etc.
    
    Most people out here drift or plunk with some type of bait (egg,
    shrimp), or just corkies and yarn.  I tend to switch around, if one
    method isn't working, I try another.  This year it looks like spoons
    have been the hottest (in the areas I fish) followed closely by jigs
    below a float (the latest In-Fisherman has an article on float fishing
    for Steelie's).  Last year, it was jigs followed closely by
    shrimp/corkie/yarn or just corkie/yarn with shrimp scent.
    
    I think they do strike spoons and spinners harder than bait, at least
    it seems that way.  I think it presents more of a threat to them then
    bait floating by and they react by a more vicious/agressive strike.
    
    Gonna try for more this weekend (if the river levels hold).
    
    Mike
    

    Thought you might want to know......the Brookie that Rob Wener caught
    (see note 80.109) has been officially declared a state record for 1990
    
    Congrats Rob.
    
    Dave

    - Rob
    

    Species: Flint River Smallmouth(s)
    Weight: 4 1/2 lbs, 4 1/4 lbs
    Length: 20", 19"
    Location: Flint River - Thomaston, Georgia
    Date: 3/23/91
    Bait: Plastic Worm
    
    
    

    Of course your gonna tell me you didn't bring your camera?
    
    We want those HAWG's recorded in our PHOTO ALBUM....git wit it.
    
    Nice catch...Did it shrink as you were typing... Length: 20",19" ?
    
    -< Tuna Tail >-

    Actually, I caught two pretty good smallmouths - 4 1/2 lbs and 4 1/4 lbs.
    I wound up with 11 fish totaling 27 lbs over the weekend. I do have a
    picture of the two larger smallmouths, although my camera went south
    that day.
    
    Regards,
    Bobby

    
    SPECIES  :    Robert E. Puishys III (a baby boy)
    WEIGHT   :    6LB
    LENGTH   :    20"
    LOCATION :    Worchester (I think)
    DATE     :    21-April-1991 12:30
    BAIT/LURE:    Deborah Puishys
    COMMENTS :    Mother and baby are doing fine they still don't know if Bob
                  is going to make it. It seems they can't keep his feet on 
		  the ground.

    
    

    did you release him or did you have him mounted?? 8*)
    
    Congradulations!! That's one smallmouth that will turn into a
    largemouth.
    
    Bass-O-Matic
    

    Congratulation Bob!!
    
    Good Luck!!
    
    BTW.. What an original name,,  Where did you ever think of it  8>)
    
    Les

     I bet the kid will have "Vanity plates" on his baby carriage..
    Couldn't resist - Congratulations, BB2.
    
    --Bandito

Thanks for breaking your read/only rick!!
and thanks for the comments and mail.   Mother and Baby doing fine.  Boy
am I glad there were 50 mph winds and I canceled my club tournament on 
the 21st.   Went home and two hours later took the wife to the  hospital!

Bassin Bob  hay rick in  a fwe more years you will have to find a new partner!

    Congrats  on votre noveaux fils....may he ketch bigger fish an tell
    taller tales den his beaux pere!!!
    
    Coonass

    well here is this years biggest so far, 4 1/2 lbs. large mouth bass.
    caught 5/19/91 at farm pond in framingham.The lure was slug/go.
    The fish was released .
                                           manny rivera.

    
    Species: Largemouth
    weight:  6 lbs.
    Where; Would'nt you like to know 8')
    Lure:  Black and chartuse buzz bait
    
    Last friday was one of the best days I've ever had. I caught 10 fish
    in all, the larger ones were 3-3lbs, 1-4 lbs, and the 6lbs. The others
    were around 1-2 lbs. Not a bad day at all, all fish were released
    including the 6lber. She was skinny so she must of just finished
    spawning. oh, ya, I lost one that would have rivaled the 6 pounder,
    it got wrapped around a stump and was gone. Plus I lost many others,
    they would come up and slap at the bait but not take it. going back
    again real soooon.......
    
                                           Walt
                                               

    Species: Largemouth
    Weight:  4 lbs 10 ounces
    Where: Fort Meadow Pond
    Date: 6-5-91  
    Lure:  Sluggo
    
    
    	I caught this fish while fishing from shore.  This pond is right
    down the road from the HLO plant and I've been going down to wet my
    line during lunch.  Had to knock on someone's door to give me a bag to
    put the fish in.  Weighed it in down at the Tackle Annex in Hudson and
    then released it to fight another day.  To bad every lunch hour wasn't
    like this.
                  				Madd Matt

     
        G R E A T  J O B !!!   MATT !!!
    
    
                                                           YOUR PAL 
                                                              KIV
    
          P.S. YOU NEVER SAID WHAT COLOR YOU LIKE YET ???

    SPECIES  :    male brook trout
    WEIGHT   :    3+ lbs
    LENGTH   :    17+"
    LOCATION :    Errol, NH
    DATE     :    June 9th, 1991, 11:00 am
    BAIT/LURE:    nightcrawler

 Supper tonight!

    and what happened to fly only :-)?

 Discretion is the better part of valor. :-)

 It got too windy to cast without hooking my buddy in the face (oops!) so I
went to a nightcrawler for 5 minutes. And he picked it right up. :-) :-)

 I did hardly any spin fishing at all. Maybe a half hour cumulative all weekend.
Caught quite a few little trout and salmon (up to about 12") on the fly rod
which I released. But I kept the big sucka. :-)

    
    	re: .205
    
    	Nice Brookie!!  Must've been pretty fat, we got a couple of
    18"ers this spring that were just under 3#'s and they were
    pretty girthy!  BTW, What's wrong with crawlers??  Use what works..
    I've done both fly and spinning and have no preference for either.

>Must've been pretty fat, we got a couple of
>    18"ers this spring that were just under 3#'s and they were
>    pretty girthy! 

 Yes, it was very fat. The amount of insect life on the river was immense. The
caddis hatch was pretty intense at night.

> BTW, What's wrong with crawlers??  Use what works..
>    I've done both fly and spinning and have no preference for either.

 I prefer to catch trout on my fly rod. I would have been happier had I caught
the fish on one of my own flies. But it was the nicest trout I ever caught, so
I won't complain. :-)

 The Doctah

    What lake if you don't mind me asking?
    
    
    
                                 Jeff (Captain)
                                 Team Starcraft

    SPECIES: LARGEMOUTH BASS
    LENGTH:  20.5"
    WEIGHT:  5+                                                            
    LURE:    BLACK CULPRIT LIZARD 7.5 (SALAMANDER)
    WHERE:   SMALL S. NH POND
    ETC.:    SALLY FISHED NAKED (NO WT.) IN PADS NEAR SHORE W/ 8 LB. TEST
              ON MED./LT. ACTION ROD. CAUGHT ON LAST DAY OF "CATCH AND
              RELEASE" (SAT.) IN BETWEEN RAIN AND LIGHTNING SPELLS IN THE
              AFTERNOON. MY FIRST TO BREAK 5 LBS., TOOK 4 PICS, GAVE HER A
              KISS, AND THEN WATCHED HER SWIM AWAY. ENDED UP TOO CLOUDY TO
              SEE IN THE PICS, SO I'LL JUST HAVE TO GO BACK AND CATCH HER
              AGAIN....W/ FLASH CUBES THIS TIME!!! MAYBE A SCALE,TOO!!
              SHE WAS AWFUL FAT, SO I'M NOT SURE IF SHE COULD HAVE GONE
              SIX!?! IT'S HARD TO JUDGE WHAT YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
    
                 TIL THE NEXT ONE,
                                        THE BIG "E"  
                                        Eric Ruman
    

    
    	Hey Eric, Congrats on the Bass, But Who's Sally?

      "SALLY" is the nickname given to my all-time favorite bass lure:
    The Culprit Lizard (salamander imitation), thus "Sally" is short 
    for salamander.  Now to prepare for the first annual un-official
    get together and have fun DOO Classic team bass-fishing and all-
    around good-time tournament.  Yup, a few Deccies and friends
    from the Tookie (Contoocook) facility are headin' over to ol'
    Stumpfield (a.k.a. Hopkinton Lake) for a friendly little bass 
    tournament. Winners to be posted Monday after a weekend of
    Pike/Smallmouth fishing in upstate Vermont.
    
                              Tight lines and heavy hits,
    						
    						Eric
    

      DOO Classic winners: Mike Gallo's father-in-law who practically
    LIVES on Hopkinton Lake brought a buddy, handed him a rod, and they
    ended up with a 3 and about a 4 pounder + 2 more keepers took first
    and big fish. Caught 'em in the stumps near the bridge on rubber 
    worms (or so they said). I had a buddy of mine come up who had never
    fished "Stumpfield" (I had only fished it one afternoon myself), and
    we took second with 4 keepers: 3 around 15" and one that had to be 
    about 12.0000001" (barely a keeper). We didn't feel too bad knowing
    that most everybody else knew the lake. The Rebel Frog and my
    salamander did it for me and my buddy, Johnny Shaw, used rubber worms.
      As for the weekend in upstate VT., my biggest Pike was only 22", but
    I caught a nice 17" Smallmouth which put up a hell of a fight. Gitzits
    worked on both species + spoons for Pike, and steel leaders were
    essential. Up next: 4th of July week camping on the Upper Saco canoeing
    the rapids and going for big Brown Trout (2 nice 18"ers last year) +
    Brookies on the Swift off the "Mangus"!!
    
    					Signing off,
    
    						The Big "E"

    
     length: 40"
     weight: 25.4 lb 
     type  : stripe bass
     Where : Somewhere on Cape Cod Canal
    
     Caught sat morning 7-6-91 on cut mackeral
     Landed 3 stripers including the big one, A 35" and a 32"
     My brother caught his first bluefish at 30" and 11 lb and a small 26"
     striper. A fun day.  Check out the pictures at Budds bait on
     RT 6a in Bourne.   
    
      Kevin 

Species:      Striped Bass ("Striper")
Length:       34.5"
Weight:       15-17lbs (estimated)
When:         Sunday 07-Jul-1991:02:00
Bait:         Live eel
Where:        Danvers River


Went out with Bruce Sweet on our first ofishal striper trip.  This was the
only fish of the night, unfortunately.  The tide may have been against us.

I don't know if this qualifies as a hawg or not, but it was my personal best
and maybe the biggest fish I've *ever* caught.  I may have caught a bluefish
this size but I don't think so.

Tim

    Species:  Chinook salmon
    Length:   26", (2) 24", 21"
    Weight:   (?)  didn't weigh them
    When:     7-6-91
    Bait:     Herring
    Where:    Pacific Ocean off of Winchester Bay, Or.
    
    The salmon run has been good, but the ocean has been rough.  This was
    the first day I could get out that the Coast Guard would let you out.
    Fished shallow with divers.  Unusual that they were all chinooks. 
    Fished the next day and all we could hook were silvers.  Got 4 up to
    the boat, but with there wild jumping and barbless hooks, no meat.
    
    
                        

    
    SPECIES  :    Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :    6 lbs 11 oz (according to my Normark LCD scale)
    LENGTH   :    unknown .. longer than the 18" ruler on my tacklebox
    LOCATION :    Hopkinton Lake (aka Stumpfield)
    DATE     :    7/10/91
    BAIT/LURE:    Crazy Crawler
    COMMENTS :    Caught about 9:30 P.M.  Water was like glass after a
		  brief thunder storm moved through.  Not very much action
		  overall on topwater, but this baby made the night!

-HSJ-

    Chalk another one up to the crazy crawler.  Nice fish Joe.
    
    TIm
    

    SPECIES  :	Largemouth Bass
    WEIGHT   :	5 lbs 8 oz
    LENGTH   :  ?
    LOCATION :	Massabesic
    DATE     :	7/14/91
    BAIT/LURE:  Rubber Worm
    COMMENTS :  I hate rubber worms and Massabesic,  but they go together
    		and the club does have a tournament there in 6 weeks.

    
    
    
           Species> Largemouth Bass
            Length> 24"
            Weight> 6+lbs (my scale only goes to six and it was pegged)
          Location> Lake Urine (Cochituate)
              Bait> Nunya
              Date> July 19th 1991
    
          Went to one of my favortie weed lines.Second cast a two pounder.
          Threw right back to the same spot and the fight was on.He came
          out of the water twice and I had to change my underwear.Hung me
          up in the weeds so I flipped the bail lit a smoke and waited him
          out.He started moving out of the weeds and I managed to horse
          him threw and onto shore where a coupla guys came over and
          watched me release it.They said they couldn't believe I let 
          the Bass go.I told them it would be nice to catch him next year
          when he is 8+ pounds.
    
    
                                           The Keg
    
     

    
    Species> Largemouth Bass
    Length> 16"
    Weight> unknown
    location> Thompson lake, maine
    bait> bright green grub
    Date> July 20, 1991
    
    It was about 4:00pm the water was a little rough out in the open but I
    saw a cove where the water was very steady. A dead tree was laying in
    the water. I casted next to the tree about 30-40 feet out and there he
    was. I used a bobber with my grub and the water was about 10-15' deep
    at that spot and my grub was set for 1 1/2' from the surface.
    
    This is the first BIG catch of the year for me. I have been fishing at
    Lake Massacuppic in Tyngsboro, mass almost every weekend and have not
    caught anything there to brag about.