16 pounder on Fork, MLF practice

The MLF announcer just said on live that Roy Hawk caught a 16 pounder in practice....

Why is there no story on this...that's got to be the biggest in Texas the past 5-10 years?

Just saw that. There was a post about it. No pics that I gave seen

No longer a rumor!

they caught a 13 yesterday, can't wait to see the show

You can't have 20,000 boats on that lake and film MLF, you guys just go on about your business and pretend they are not there

So Mark was correct!

I’ll be patiently waiting for each of you who scolded me and called for my ban to post your screen name, full name and formal apology... let’s see how long it takes...

#godfatherofbass

Interesting

I had no doubt Mark!

Why hide it, is he trying to catch it again? Surely its not on bed anymore

I just want to see a picture of the bass not because I don't believe it I just want to see it.

TPWD was on their way and Hawk released the fish 15mins before they arrived. He said the fish wasn't doing well and he didn't want to kill her. At least that's what I heard.

Biggest bass in years caught in the state and not donated to the ShareLunker program? Not a single picture?

I like Hawk...happy for him.

This

Surely he got a picture, that's a true giant

Sounds like a few of the whack jobs on here owe an apology.

But you know they won't...

I bet they won’t either.

I had no doubt. Big O on the other hand...If he said it was raining I would have to look outside to verify.

Why is it not on the sharelunker website???

Because it wasn't donated.

See Fouzman's post above.

Beat me to it!

Why are apologies owed?

I would like to apologize for my Mo little 12lbers comment.
I would like to formally change that to Mo Little 16lbers....

I don't mind the fact that it wasn't donated either , those really big ones just look like mutants. Cool to see them.

I can honestly say that I would take some photos , weight and measurements for myself and release as well.

Third thread on it and still no pics. Also the announcer really didnt want to talk about it and it was like it wasnt suppose to be said. Whatever is going on its weird.

Didnt happen

That's because they like to keep everything as secret as possible.

Yes, yes it did.

Will it be a 17# by the weekend?

I would imagine his sponsors would like some pix too. Hopefully they took a few. Definite fish of a lifetime. So far the old lake is showing up today as still one of the best for big fish out there.

I’m waiting patiently too.....FOR MORE THAN WORD OF MOUTH. LOL. I wanna see it.

Do you guys really think MLF/BPT are in any kind of hurry to post that photo (if one exists) on a fishing forum?

Some of y’all have a lot of [censored] kissing to do. Y’all got real salty with the guy that first reported it here.

I do. What would be more appropriate....Texas Fishing Forum (it WAS caught in Texas), or a NASCAR website?

I think this is the third thread on a 16lb bass in two days....someones gotta have a picture

[quote=SteezMacQueen I do. What would be more appropriate....Texas Fishing Forum (it WAS caught in Texas), or a NASCAR website? [/quote]


MLF's own website? For advertising purposes, perhaps?

They would be stupid to not post it on some sort of social media when they are in some giant war with bass on whos the best and they earned a nick name of More Little Fish. If I owned MLF it would be posted ALL OVER What is the point of hiding it other then the fact its just a rumor?

MLF's own website? For advertising purposes, perhaps?[/quote]

MLF clickbait, maybe? They need it.

Hey maybe they are geniuses. Its the third thread about it and has stayed at a top of very popular forum for the last 3 days

A site full of rabid fishing fans that live in the same state the lake they are fishing is in why wouldn't they? Seems logical its a chance to really get some interest going to get even more people to tune in the rest of the week. Surely they have not grown to the point they no longer want to build fan excitement. That is not meant as a slight either. I am genuinely curious as to why they would not want to generate that type of buzz early on in the event. I think the fish is legit I am just shocked no pix of it have surfaced yet.

Post the pix on their own website, post the picture link here and you just generated a ton of hits on their own site for absolutely no cost to them. I guess I do not see the thinking there but again I don't have to.

Increased boat traffic?

Its spring on Fork. More specifically spring break. Due to corona fears many are doing staycations and are already there. I stayed there all week and it was about the busiest spring break I have seen in years. The RV parks are full and people are there. I figure just mentioning it on their live broadcast is gonna do that.

Who knows, Mark.

Until a photo is posted or someone says they saw the photo... its just sounds like a fish story. I actually hope its true.

I'm just glad they are showing how special that lake is. Despite the rumors its still a place to go to catch some big ones.

I wonder if it died and they are trying to avoid the bad press?

Dont think so

Meanwhile, I’m still waiting...

Yeah so are the thousands of folks that have clicked on these threads. Just show the dam picture.

Mark she is and I eat crow like I said in other post. But man the lake sure does fish tough for me now in the late fall and winter. Guess I have to wipe my memory and restart......glad to see my favorite lake still healthy even without grass. As far as the 16 lber if the angler wanted it not posted then it never should have been and this post should be pulled down. The secrecy is strange......although do the rules state the anglers are not supposed to share any info on their catches? If so that could be in play and if so why don’t they just say that?

I struggled out there a bit this wwek myself

I can’t imagine they would lie on a live broadcast about something like this. The damage control would need to be otherworldly. I think the fish was caught, and there are pictures, and they are waiting until after the weekend to show pictures so the lake doesn’t become more crowded, whether that’s smart or not.

So why announce it on live broadcast lol. Makes zero sense and I don’t think fork in the spring can get more crowded like what mark said.

I'm with Barrett, until I see a picture that looks like a 16 lbr I'm calling bs.

Lol, of course you are. I bet you are a blast at parties.

Im the life of the party buddy

I didn’t hear it, but someone else said they almost sounded like he didn’t want to mention it. Who knows. I’m assuming they wouldn’t lying about this, because it was take a long time to recover from that and the damage would be immense when the last thing need is that kind of controversy right now.

Can confirm.

I bet some of you guys complaining about not seeing a picture yet are the same guys that complain the impatience of Millennials.

I almost went to the emergency room the next day lol

I totally believe this ^^^^^

I think this is really the point and one I’d like to make. Some individuals on here when they’re told something their reaction to everything related to MLF is that it’s a lie or conspiracy and that’s so utterly ridiculous it’s amazing. No ones’s here to mislead you. Realize that in a lot of instances you don’t have the full story and context and you’re not getting it. It doesn’t mean someone’s trying to pull one over on you. It simply means you don’t have the full story.

I hope it’s true, Roy was in the back of a cove on Palestine with me and my boys Sunday...good for him

Lol,

I’m confused as to why an apology would be warranted to Mr. Jones myself. He started a thread and then the thread was gone. I asked where the thread went and he never would deny or confirm the fish was caught. Now all of a sudden, we are supposed to apologize for WHAT?

Interesting!!!

It just seems like a click bait post that’s working with Zero substance imho and mark do you work for mlf or a business associated with the organization?

I wish I had.

Wussies

the fact that they think they have the RIGHT to know is what kills me

You’re confused why the guy stating that he’ll keep making these judgements of poor character (implying Mark was lying) might want to apologize?


Let’s let the MLF event finish up and see the fish and then we will see if the messenger needs a thrashing or not.

JB

You’re confused why the guy stating that he’ll keep making these judgements of poor character (implying Mark was lying) might want to apologize?


Let’s let the MLF event finish up and see the fish and then we will see if the messenger needs a thrashing or not.



I hope Doc gets a few of you down on the funny gas and gives you a good throat punch for all this bitching...LOL

They sure did post pictures of Jason’s 10 quick....

Do you not think it's busier than normal with MLF fishing this week during spring break ?

Barrett, we consult for MLF on digital marketing and data work along with other fishing brands. Again, I have zero reason to make a post for click bait. I'm a member of this board and when I post here it's because I want to share something and for this it was about a really big fish not to promote MLF. I know how to do that without the need for forum posts.

I should have waited the other day on posting about Roy's fish so that's why I apologized and asked for the thread to be removed. I personally don't care if you or anyone else believes that he caught it. There's clearly more details behind it and you and others can feel free to speculate about it. If it gets shared great, if not then it is what it is.

Mud,

I can do way better than a throat punch! Have you seen Marathon Man? I’d post the clip if I were more tech savvy.

J/K.... All in good fun!

JB

Don't hold your breath

If you're messing with Big O, you're messing with me and you don't want that kind of pain.

Bennie,

I have no clue if ncreased people out there this year is more staycation related or BPT related. I see way more people tgan I have ever seen in our RV park. Mostly families. Lots of bank fishing. We have never had a pro event this early in year there to use as a baseline.

TPWD has their best man on the case...

just wondering. There is a lot of factors in play lately.

I don't think we are being unfair, If anyone came on here claiming they caught a 16 and while waiting for sal released but didnt get a pic they would be shamed. If there is a pic post it. If not well.......

I believe a 15lber was caught; but, the way this story is being told smells of cheap marketing tactics.
Let me guess, BigO took the only photo and is refusing to publish it.

If there is no picture something is a little bit shady ..

LOL, you can show me when I come to the office
I chipped one and I look like Zona when he filmed with Todd as “The Zavalla Kid”

Bring the pic of the 16 you told me about when you come.

Pics or it didnt happen

You only left about five hours before we did. It’s ok.

Whether it is true or not I have no idea. But who would catch a bass that size and not even get a picture of it? Just saying.

Guys who wear make up.

The pic will surface when tournament is over

Maybe there will be a video shown after event that may just include the boat flip!

Need pictures and GPS coordinates or it didn't happen.

Will this be the last click bait thread deleted about the same fish. Only time will tell. The person that started this works in marketing for MLF. Let that sink in.... big o makes posts about BASS and Mark Jones makes posts about MLF. It’s not that hard to figure out. I hope the fish is true. It’s time fork produced a true Texas giant. Time will tell. I see no reason whatsoever it would make business sense for them not to post a picture. Hopefully this thread is not deleted by morning too.

A professional fisherman. Whose first day of competition is tomorrow.

BPT guys can't even talk fishing among themselves. Sit back, relax and watch the show. ALL of us who call Fork our home lake are being humbled right now. These guys are really good.

Barrett and WAWI, are you guys originally from Missouri? It happened. Promise.

Ya think MLF just might want to do a feature story? Look at all the interest already generated. Then release it and break the wwwbass web

The only “interest” I’ve seen generated is from 3 posts on the tff which 2 have been deleted. I want it to be true! Just from a business point after all the bad press on MLF about them being about little fish I cant think of one reason why they would would want to hide it. They would be increasing viewership etc.

OK, OK, OK. Everyone chill! Here ya go:

Is Robbie Rose fishing MLF?

So did Roy get disqualified for telling someone he caught the 16 pounder? No info rules are strict.

Lol, I don't expect apologies nor do I need them, just having a little fun with the naysayers. I can handle myself on here but thanks for your advice.

LOL, might need to get out more!

Sorry for the rant I just have a strong opinion towards click bait. You’re a good dude but makes a lot of sense why you run to MLF rescue so much. Wish you just would’ve put that in the open so we all knew

I’ve posted that to countless threads for a year and people ask me questions directly at times about things because they know we consult for MLF. Again, to be clear, I’m not here on this board to attempt to get people to change opinions. I already mentioned here that I should have waited to post once the data surfaced. I do have the info and the fish was caught. How big it actually was and if photos are shared isn’t something I control and I said in my OP that it was rumor. That’s why I asked for it to be removed originally. It doesn’t matter to me whether you or anyone else believes Roy caught a big fish.

That's for sure! I don't know Mark Jones well but I have sat across the table from him at dinner. I don't think he is the type to post click-bait just for the sake of getting other guys riled up. Take a pill dude. None of us are curing cancer on TFF. It's a fishing site.

I don't follow MLF or BASS except for seeing posts on here. I did watch a little MLF when it was on a couple of years ago. I thought the big thing for MLF was that they did not know where they were fishing therefore there was no practice and they just showed up and fished the lake. Has that all changed now?

Maybe he Mike Long'd it

OK here's why I'm slow to get on board. This fish would have been the biggest fish Hawk had ever caught, and probably the biggest he'd ever seen. I guess the story goes he released it cause it wasn't doing well, not that he wanted to come back and catch it or there were a bunch of competitors around and he wanted to hide the fish. I was in the boat when a ShareLunker was caught and I can tell you there were lots of pics taken(13.02 not 15-16). So it just makes you have to strain a little to believe that no pics are available and no real explanation why. Don't care who you are that would be a fish of a lifetime,

Hope your week gets better

I have not read anywhere that no pics are available, just have not been posted. Unless I missed something. Hope they show them soon though.

this thread did what it was supposed to do it got you for 8 pages

And 3 separate threads to add to that

Only a moron (lots posting in here) would share info about what they catch in practice for a tourney. Duh.

Holding onto the picture sure helped his pattern

Ya it did him a lot of good today, whacked em.

Ok I talked to 2 MLF officials today and they told me Roy caught a 16lb 3oz Bass in practice by himself he took pics of the fish but they are not very good pics as he had to either hold a selfie stick or stretch his arm with phone in hand while holding onto a 16lber with the othe so you can imagine it's probably not a very good pic he released her because she didn't look good after he caught her and instead of turning her over to SAL program he released her. So maybe he will release pics, time will tell!

Phones have a timer, pretty easy to set up and take fish from livewell for pics but who knows. Maybe he literally tried the ol half a 2lber Facebook pic that's common these days

If it doesnt make sense it didnt happen...... judge Judy

After the dude in CA fooled all of us for years not buying it either.......sorry its too easy to get weight and good pics these days. Also too much to be gained for a competitor in a pro tournament to not bring a 16+ lb bass in. Not saying it didn’t happen but if the angler never wanted it known then it should have never been brought up and all the threads should go away. Congrats if he did catch it. I still want to hear story and see pics at this point........

Yep. Here say. All it was

Dangit…..the fish pic is over on another thread!

As a person who fishes mostly alone, I can completely believe this. Not sure why Mark Jones couldn’t have just said this, guess it’s not drama free enough for him.

I said in previous post that was deleted that he caught the fish and I’m sure there’s a story and we will hear it if someone decides to share it. Simple as that, not about drama.

Maybe it was a 16 pound catfish? I wouldn't take a picture of that. Otherwise he is just holding the pics or it never happened. How did he know it was 16? Who did he tell? So someone was on his boat or nearby that didn't have a device with a camera? Just doesn't add up. Maybe it is in yhe sharelunker program but they haven't anmounced it? I mean he gets a replica right? See, the more questions I ask, the more questions I have. Usually means something fishy is going on

I give the man's explanation of the events the benefit of doubt. Has he given anyone a reason to believe he is a dishonest man? What would he gain by making up such a story? This thread reads like a group of Middle School girls talking about each other.

And the truth finally comes out....lol

totally believable story since there was no one on the lake that day to look at it or take a pic of it in the words of Rambo let it go.

I treat this the way I would if anyone else I didn't know who claimed to have knowledge of a big fish.Pictures or it's just a rumor.Mark Jones or not.

Good decision !

Yeh. I’d show y’all what I caught today, but my selfie stick broke. Lol.

That's funny Mark, thank you for sharing the news of that catch. You'll probably have to standby on any real names/apologies as you already know, haha. So many using online forums are extremely brave behind their computer screens. Those same people wouldn't dare share some of the same opinions with others face to face unfortunately. 16+ lbs is an absolute freak of a largemouth bass, this is such great news for Lake Fork! Landing a fish of that size is extremely difficult on the size of rods, line, and hooks that most bass anglers are using. Also when we take into account that Fork is full of flooded timber that makes the odds of landing those fish much smaller. I imagine for every 13+lb fish landed on Fork there are another 5 if not more that break anglers line, rip hooks out of their mouth, or simply straighten out the hooks. Congrats to Hawk, that's a catch of a lifetime!

You mean like sprague did today? Lol

So. Did he catch a 16 in practice or not? I still have yet to see a pic of the fish and was at Fork all weekend. Never heard a word about it.

I watched some of it live today and they mentioned Roy Hawk catching a 16 in practice. Sure would love to see a pic of it. That is a True Freak of nature.

No he didn’t. It was a lie

How do you know that he didn't?

I would think if you catch a top 50 fish in the state of Texas you would hear about it. The angler would be going nuts about it. And it would be great press for MLF. Plus you’d hear about it around the lake.

I saw that as well.
MLF on Fork was a ton of fun to watch. Those guys are seriously gritty-they don’t waste a second. They are true pros.
However, I would like to see a pic of a13 plus-not to mention a 16. A 16 is SERIOUSLY RARE-check the records.

7300 views plus you add the two other threads that were deleted that prob had an easy 5K a piece. Looks like it worked like a charm!

How do you know he did? Me saying it was a lie holds equal weight of anyone saying he did

Let me finish this thread


BULLSH**

Story does smell a little fishy

True story.

April Fools came a bit early this year...…......….

Sooooooo. No pic? Mark what’s up man? Explain this to us please

Dadgummit…...I posted the pic on another thread. Look for it.

just a bit lol

I agree. If I caught a 16 that fish is getting photographed with my face in the pic. MULTIPLE pics too. Even if I have to find someone to take pic. It’s headed to Minnow Bucket or LFM for pics. No way there’s no pic taken. Just not possible. Something Is off here. Either it’s a hoax or it died. But something seems wrong here.

Josh Bertrand mentions someone catching a 16# fish at Fork, but doesn't go into any details. Says there isn't any pics, the guy didn't want the publicity.

If you listen to Josh's Podcast, Anglers Happy Hour, its about 45 minutes in on the latest episode

Right.

I would like to see Roy Hawk agree to an interview with Marty Stone (or one of their other talking heads) to discuss this subject. They could air the interview on the MLF web site. Am I naive enough to think this is gonna happen, hell no. I think it would be the right thing to do. OK there, I said it. Let me put on my flame suit, and you guys carry on.🙂

If he caught a huge bass and doesn't want the publicity, I can respect that. He doesn't owe anyone an explanation or story, totally his choice. Next bit of drama......

I've seen them lose thier breath wrestlng a 6 lber. Find it hard to believe he
he doesnt wanna show anyone a 16. In the end it's his choice.

Ya’ll STILL talking about this? Let it go

catching a 16 lb bass in this day an time of look at me now an nobody seeing it or taking a picture is as believable as everybody that bass fishes will get a new ranger through the stimulus program.

It's the biggest joke I've ever heard. These guys' entire livelihood revolves around GETTING PUBLICITY. They are professional bass fishermen whose job it is to catch bass and get the word out for their sponsors. If you think one of them is going to catch one of the TOP 25 biggest ever caught in the state of Texas and not promote it, you are off your rocker.

Aw heck, I only watched a little bit of the live action and ole MIke had on at least a couple that size.

He should have said it weighed 19# with the same result!

I have seen no photos but spoke with more than one person who was working with MLF and who also confirmed that a 16+ lb bass was caught in practice, making it the largest bass caught in the state of Texas in 21 years. I have no reason to doubt their claims of this catch. Lake Fork is on FIRE!!!

No proof, no witness... BS until then.

Yep

I thought the whole precept of this tournament was no one knew where they were fishing until the day of. How did they get to practice? Did I miss something in the rules?

It didnt happen

So, here’s what we have “heard” in this thread:

he has pictures, but they aren’t good...

he doesn’t have pictures...biggest fish in 25 years...

mlf guys did see it and confirmed it...

nobody except for Hawk saw it...

Clear as mud, seems obvious to me. If he did indeed catch a 16 lber, then it died. Which happens, so just say so. Better question is, what did he do with the dead fish? Wanton waste a 16lb game fish?

That was the old MLF style before forming the Bass Pro Tour and going in a different direction.

That was the draw of MLF to me when I did watch it. I wanted to see how the pros attacked a lake that they had no knowledge or preparation of ahead of time. I actually enjoyed seeing them try to figure it out. Now it is just another same old fishing show.

16lbs 3oz to be exact!

Never happened... Go to bed!!!

16.3 oz. bag of B.S. maybe?