curiosity peaked my thoughts in a recent convo. What’s the biggest reported bass out of welsh in recent years, let’s say since 2005!

I can remember a couple of near 6’s I caught back in 2009.


Oh and BTW

A tad over 5 recently-

I have several in the 5 lb range since 2010 when I started fishing welsh. Never seen one bigger then 6 though.

Several 7s and one 8 since 2011

I have never seen a bass over 6 out of Welsh. My guess is a lot of people are eating the keepers that they catch.

Lots of 2.5 to 4.5 lb fish. Few over that it seems.

bunch over 6 easy even in 111 degree water. not kidding.

I bet a fair number get caught but the anglers don't post it on here.

I would be willing to bet not many being kept which is hurting the size. I haven’t fished it near as much as most of you but I haven’t seen any go into the livewell.

My biggest was 7 1/4. May have been before 2005 though.

Correct.

I have no specific experience or information about this Fishery. However removal of small bass is one of the best things you can do to make big bass.

I would speculate that over 95% of bass caught of all sizes are released... this has not helped the size structures of bass in Texas reservoirs.

Recruitment is not a problem. Forage and cover is the big barrier to creating large fish.

I got a handful of 4s and a bazillion 2.5lbrs

Probably will agree some fish need to be harvested. And don’t really buy into the adage that livewells kill fish. Because if that was the case as many that is hauled around on that little lake there would not be any left .

In 1983 Bill Ockerhausen caught a winter time bass that weighed over 15lbs and was the public water state record bass at the time(Private Lake Echo had a couple bigger in 1981). His 15lb bass doesn’t even sit in the top 50 bass in Texas any more. Thought it was going to be the next great trophy bass lake. Turned out to not be the case. Did however turn out to be one of the best and most consistent bass fishing lakes for quantities in Texas though. I would have to agree that several years of removing small bass(quantity’s) would help the quality of bass there. Welsh record: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/action/waterecords.php?WB_code=0867 Texas state top 50: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/freshwater/top50_largemouth.phtml

We’ve caught several over 6, but I can only remember a couple in the low 7s. The biologists say their lifespan is shortened due to the hot water. Their metabolism runs high all year long.

My bass club has gone there most of the last 15 years. I don't think we have ever had anyone weigh in a 6 pounder. Most of the time two fish for around 7-8 pounds wins although we have had a limit or two. There has to be a reason why fish over 18 inches are hard to come by.