I've been catching plenty of fish in the 30s all the way up to 38 for the last few years, but could not break 40.

Broke it big time yesterday. 48 pounds 48 inches. Old style fish. lb/inch. Girth was around 44.

I almost stayed in bed when the alarm went off, we had a party the night before, but I hadn't fished all weekend so pulled myself up and went.

After only a short while zzzzzzzzzzzz. Fish just kept taking line, then finally slowed but stayed deep for the most part. She did come to the top for a second and trashed, but then dove again. So glad I didn't lose it at that time because I could see the size even from a distance. Once to the boat, she just rolled over and let me pull her over the side. I couldn't believe it she was huge and sooo fat. I measure the length at 48 and thought it can't be over 40. NOT... My cheap electronic scale was reading 47-49 with the boat swaying.

Official at the weigh in was 48.0 lbs, 48.0"

My good friend Juls was out for some much needed R and R and came by for the photo op when I called her with the news.

Now I have to break 50. This only took 40 years of fishing, so I should be around 95 years old when the next one comes.:smash:

Way to go Van!!!!!!!! :want:

Awesome fish!! Congrats and nice job!!:btu::btu:

Congratulations! Thats a great fish!

nice pig

Awesome fish Van congrats!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That's VANtastic!!! Way to go. Hard work pays off. You deserve that fish.

:kewl: Waytogo!

gREAT .YOU,LL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE 4TH OF JULY 2011 :fishin:

Great fish... Congrats... on to the 50s!

congrats van. that's a great fish

Congratulations Van!

Congrats, nice fish!

Very nice fish !
Shame it's not next week, that would be a $200 fish

Congrats Van, hope the wait span for a 50 is short(er)!

Fantastic fish Van! Congratulations!

Great looking fish, congratulations

Congratulations!! That is a very nice fish, hope you get that 50 pounder or better soon. :) :)

Congrats

Sweet Congrats Van !!

Holy COW that's a nice ass.

Congrats Van nice fish

Congratulations Van, there is no doubt about
that sweet mama being a class fish. What bothers
me is where was Tom the man when he was needed
for action pix. Good thing you were able to get
Jules down for the pix you got. I would like to remind
you how hazardous it is to fish alone. I am available
the rest of this week.

Awesome catch Van, Congrats:)

Nice Fish, congrats!

Congrats Van!

don't stop now

Congrats great fish.

awesome, congrats on the new PB !

What bothers me is where was Tom the man when he was needed for action pix. I would like to remind you how hazardous it is to fish alone. I am available the rest of this week.

Now that's funny !!!! :uhuh::uhuh:

I don't know if Tom will talk to me anymore.
I am seeing him tonight (poker night) we shall see.


Thanks to everyone for the congrats.
Hope I can do the same for all of you.

Great Catch Van... now can you send me of over a filet..

Congrats on your personal best Van :btu:

what a pig!

Schweet!

So what did Tom have to say at Poker
last night. Hope this isn't poker with those
two card sharpies, Mike and Mike???

So what did Tom have to say at Poker
last night. Hope this isn't poker with those
two card sharpies, Mike and Mike???



You don't want to sit down at the table with Mike B !

Great fish! Congrats

Congrats on you PB and what a beauty!!!! Great job!!!!!

awesome fish!!!!!!!!!

congrats on a very nice fish ,i am still waiting to crack that 40# mark , not missing by much, hoping this is the year

Nice fish man. Congrats