Huge South Dakota Largemouth Bass for me!

[John Kelley]

I originally posted this in the Bass section, but then I realized I would probably not get any replies until your Bass season out there opens up.  So I am adding it here as well.  Thanks.

 

 

***Let me preface this story by letting you New York friends of mine know that there is no closed game fish season in South Dakota, meaning we can fish for whatever we want whenever we want, aside from protected species like paddlefish and sturgeon.***

 

 Okay,

 So I am working in this little town called Edgemont, which is South and West of Rapid City by about 80 miles.  Edgemont has a couple of little 5 acre town ponds that are open to public fishing, and are well stocked with rainbow trout, panfish, and bass.  I had been down to this lake the past couple of nights with my coworker, catching a bunch of nice little rainbows for grilling at the hotel this weekend. Yesterday afternoon, as I was reeling my fourth rainbow right up to the dock I was fishing on, when this big old largemouth comes shooting out from under the dock and chases down my trout.  I pulled the trout out of the water as quick as I could, unhooked it, and grabbed my big fish ugly stick, spooled with 14 pound test, and hooked a firetiger RAT-L-Trap on it.  I started jigging the the lure up and down in the clear 3' of water at the end of the dock.  After about 10 pumps of the rod, I thought the bass was just not interested in my lure, but I pumped the lure upwards one more time.  This time the bass came cruising out from under the dock, and went straight for the lure, stopping about an inch away from it.  I stopped the lure in its tracks and just made it sit there and jiggle, shaking the rattles.  The big girl opened her mouth, inhaled the lure, and I struck immediately!  The fight was on, but I soon was hoisting up the biggest bass of my life. She taped out at 22.5 inches long, 18 inches around, and weighed in at 7.56 pounds.  I spent all day today driving the fish 230 miles to my taxidermist in Pierre, SD, and back to my hotel!!  Pretty satisfied, though!!  I hope you enjoy the pics.  The last pic is of the lure I caught it on.  Thanks.

 

[shinintimes]

Good job John   you goin to make it for salmon this year ?

[John Kelley]

Good job John   you goin to make it for salmon this year ?

I would really love to, but my work schedule is making it seem like Lake Michigan is as close to Lake Ontario as I will get this summer.  I think I want to bring some homies out there next summer, though, after I have them all trained up on the smaller, lake Michigan kings this summer!!LOL      I am really missing Lake O badly, and it is only April!!!

Edited April 14, 2014 by John Kelley

[shinintimes]

Its funny at the end of summer im ready to give up making the 4 HR drive for kings by spring I cant wait to get started .. well good luck and let us know when you'll be back at the oak maybe we'll go to the black north for a cold one.. goin to miss seein the lil white boat !!

[John Kelley]

Just got my bass back from the taxidermist, and she looks great. My wall is filling up, too!!

[Shelby Lynn]

Sweet Mounts !!!!!!!!

[John Kelley]

Sweet Mounts !!!!!!!!

Thank you!