[Jared]

Get your drool bibs out folks cuz you're gonna need `em! LOL

This is a picture of Tom's (aka Oldschool) 18lb large mouth! Can you imagine catching a bass of this size?! Wow! Way to go Tom!! :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Also, Tom has written quite a few articles for In-Fisherman and he has given me his permission to post them on the site so stay tuned as I will slowly be getting all them scanned and posted over the next week or so.

Jared

 

[davidva]

That's just amazing! That bass weighs more than both of my cat combined! :bowdown: :notworthy:

Nice catch!

David

 

[fish4funinfl]

Wow !!! very nice

 

[Texas Bass Pro]

That is the biggest minnow that I have ever seen. LOL :rofl1:


Just kidding. That is one big pig.

 

[bigdaddytowe]

:goldcup: NICE FISH OLDSCHOOL AKA TFYOUNG

 

[imonembad]

Nice!! Tom I hope you get the bite your waiting for.

 

[KeithsCatch]

That is a monster. Was this during Spawn? The tail looks tore up. Did you catch this fish on your jig? Do you have a picture of your jig you can post?

 

[Bassin Nate]

Thats a VERY nice fish, I was wondering where that fish was caught at and just a few details about how it was caught.( lure, depth, temp, etc...) and again nice fish.

 

[mary dean]

Oh my gosh that thing is HUGE!
I couldn't imagine!!! WOW!

 

[oldschool]

Thats a VERY nice fish, I was wondering where that fish was caught at and just a few details about how it was caught.( lure, depth, temp, etc...) and again nice fish.

I just wanted to post this fish because I know it's difficult to believe that anyone could have possibly caught all these giant bass. This bass was caught at Lake Casitas, February 1981 on a black/purple/brown hair jig. The exact hair jig that was awarded to the BassHoles that won the 5 heaviest bass limit contest. This was a pre spawn in 17 feet of water off a major outside point. The basses tail was worn from age, however this fish jumped and cleared the water twice. Some people think these trout feed giant bass are fat, slow bass and they are wrong! For details read the Horizontal Jigging article, this is the presentation used. The Lake Isabella article details some history of these special bass.
I fish out of my tin boat back then to be less conspicuous, also owned a Skeeter bass boat in 1981. Today I use a bass boat, sold the tin boat, can't hide anymore. Hope you enjoy the articles..thank you Jared.
Tom
Ps; this bass was 18 lbs. 11 oz and released in good condition.

 

[imonembad]

Ha Ha Red, I got one of those Jigs!! > I'm scared to use it. What a wus huh!

 

[dave0331_69]

Tom thats a beauty!!! I knew you weren't full of it, but a picture just drives it home! Dave

 

[Richard]

thanks tom for posting all your usefull info and being a part of us bassholes . that an awsume fish won't see one like that coming from OHIO
later
rich

 

[TampaCountryBoy]

No need to comment, the photo and your articles say it all - :goldcup:

 

[oldschool]

That is a monster. Was this during Spawn? The tail looks tore up. Did you catch this fish on your jig? Do you have a picture of your jig you can post?

Did not see your question regarding the jig pictures and answered the other questions. I have kept pictures closely held because if I ever get lucky and catch a IGFA world record bass, there could be some market value there. That old girl was bigger then she looks, 29" long and 28 1/2 girth. Lake Casitas, like most lakes, doesn't have certified scales and you must load up the boat and take the bass to a local market to weigh. I'm very concerned about stress killing these big bass, so the trip is rushed. The market has a deli/meat department where you can take the bass in the back door and get the fish weighed. When I brought this bass in, they removed a 2 lb tray off the scale, weight the bass without re setting the zero. I didn't realize that until after the bass was released and will never know the correct weight. This bass tapes out at 20 lbs. This is the reason for not including the bass in the Lake Isabella article because I was trying to certify it as a 20 and didn't have a picture at the time, gave up and excepted the market weight of 18 lbs 11 oz. I didn't have a photo of this bass until the guy who was watching me trying to revive the bass ask if he could take a picture. He ran across me 5 years latter and gave it me, well after the In-Fisherman article was published. Just some interesting background to share.
Tom

 

[hi steel basser]

Nice fish, Tom. I hope you hurry up and catch that world record, I wanna see your jigs for sale.

 

[oldschool]

Nice fish, Tom. I hope you hurry up and catch that world record, I wanna see your jigs for sale.

I've been trying for over 30 years! Few people fish hair jigs so maybe posting a few photos would be of interest to the avid big bass fisherman.
Tom

 

[KeithsCatch]

Yep, I have never used a hair jig either. So posting a picture would be of nenefit. But if you want to keep them a secret I understand.

 

[jakefisherman]

dang thats huge

 

[wormin_4_bass]

Tom Congrats!! that is one awesome catch file you have and most of us can only dream of. the 3 fish I put in the boat didn't even come close to that Monster's weight.