Sorry for the late report, but I just got back from the Renfare this past weekend. Got a chance to get on the water on Thursday and fished from 07:30 to 4:00. Wanted to get home in time to watch the whooping (Hook 'em).

Fished all day and only caught 4 fish. That's the bad part of this report, the good part is that the third fish I caught was my personal best at 11 pounds and 11 ounces. Started the day off fishing the coves on the north shore. It was the second cove I tried that I eased up to a large grass mat. The first fish caught was a 3.5 pounder that hit a watermelon red Ribbit as I worked it back across the top of the mat. After several more casts I decided to try a Sexy Shad medium depth crank bait. I cast back towards the open water and got a 2.5 pounder as the crank passed by a small stick up. Tried this for a while longer without any success. Went back to the Ribbit and fan cast the grass mat from the back of the boat. It was just as I was reaching the outside edge of the grass that the big mama hit. She came almost completely out of the water as she inhaled the Ribbit. As I set the hook she came down on some pretty thick grass and that helped keep her from burying to far into the grass. Finally got her back to the boat and landed her by hand since the net was way up front and I was fishing by myself. I was so excited and no one to "high five". After measuring the length (27 inches), weighing her and taking a few photos I was able to release her in good shape. Hopefully she will produce some babies for us in the next few months.

The first three fish were caught before 10am. The last fish didn't come until 2:30 in the afternoon. This was while I was fishing the grass edge in Four Fingers. I got a 2.5 pounder to take a t-rigged watermelon red Sweet Beaver.

Here are some photos.

Great Fish !!!

nice fish!

WTG Richard!

Rubes

Awesome job Richard. Some of the bigger fish have definitely been moving up into the grass. The ribbit has been working real well at Choke right now. You just have to stick with it and cover some water. The grass dying is starting to give off some heat and bring in big ones.

BEAUTY

HOLY CRUD!! Nice!! We were there on Saturday... 5 guys, 5 hours, 2 fish... Sheesh... Tough times for us...

nice fish.

went today, super windy. fished 5-6 hours midday. didnt catch a thing.

Choke seems to have been really tough for most everyone lately. Glad you gotta big on though, congrats.

Very nice fish! "Good day or bad?" You gotta be joking!
Congrats!

Heck, any day on the water is a good day!!! Congrats on your personal best, she a real hawg.

I've been visiting this site for months and I have never posted. Thought this was as good a time as any. I have gone to Choke the 3 times in the past month and have only caught one bass. I usually do well there (like everyone else), but things have been tough for me. I dream of catching a bass like this...that is why I keep going back! Congrats on a great fish during tough fishing.

Thanks for all the positive comments. I'm like SA Bass'n, have been dreaming of getting that double digit fish for a long time. I've been close (sort of) with a previous best of 8 pounds 9 ounces, so it's nice to be able to get over the hump. Now my goal is to get a ShareLunker (probably the goal of every person that reads this board). I have every confidence that Choke can produce one, it's just a matter of time.

Going to Choke in the morning, I wonder what the water temps are?