Getting the hang of Utah Lake

[Apocalypse]

Just got back from Utah Lake and catching my heaviest bass yet for anywhere. I've been hitting the lake about every day for the last couple few or three weeks or more... trying to figure out the Large Mouth Bass. I'm getting the hang of it by talking to a lot of people and spending a lot of time and several have been very helpful, so thanks to all who have shared their advice.

So after fishing my usual spots and catching bass in the usual places I hit a spot today that I have never caught a fish in but figured the water was about the right temperature for them to be in there by now. I made a few casts into pretty thick cover with a Junebug colored Yum Senko like thingey and during the retrieve I felt the usual bass feeling weight and watched my line start moving tugged to sink the hook and noticed a bit more weight than usual and that this bass could pull some drag and she was running for cover and I was pulling her out of cover but she kept stripping out line and I was getting a bit worried but continued to pull hard to keep her from getting in the thick stuff and breaking me off, realize were in some pretty confined space and lots of stuff that will end this game if she gets into it and I know this is my biggest bass yet. I made a risky move and tightened my drag a bit mid battle and I pulled it off... I could now put some more pressure on her and bring her in. I finally brought her to me grabbed her lip and hoisted her out! What a great feeling! This is what I fish for to finally get that big fish and feel the exhilaration and adrenaline, makes all that time and effort worth it. I know you all get that same feeling from time to time and I'm sure you know how I feel today!
I won't tell you how big the fish was because it would just be a guess, I don't have a picture because I dropped my little digital in Deer Creek but that doesn't matter, I know what she looked like and there will inevitably be some one who comes along and sharp shoots my post or says they have caught a bigger fish there yada, yada, yada... or that's crap. All I'm going to tell you is that she didn't get away and she was BIG... and today I'm a happy camper![]

Apocalypse.
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[BigBassaholic]

Did you release her??? or gonna get her mounted??
like you said everyone will catch one bigger of course... that what they say at least. My biggest so far was from Lake El Salto in mexico and she was 9 lbs. Caught one this may down at Quail that went 7lbs. Doesn't matter how big it is just that your proud of it being your biggest....
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[Majja]

Congrats on the fish. I know i was jumping for joy when I pulled my little 4lbr form Pineview last year.
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[2fishon]

Nice. There are some real pigs in Utah Lake. Congrats on spending the time and effort to find some. My brother caught one last fall that was just under 10lb. I'm sure there's a state record in there. That would be a bummer to catch a state record and have to release it because of the "all bass over 12" rule.
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[Bountyhunter]

Bummer to let a 10lb bass swim free? I think not. Take a photo and get the dimensions of the beast then get the plastic mold alternative. Win win for everybody.
A friend of a friend witnessed a guy down at Lindon that had a stringer of 3 big bass. He said the smallest was at least 3lb. He promptly called the poachers hotline. Not sure of the result, but hopefully a citation.
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[BigBassaholic]

If I ever catch a state record bass, I would either wait for certified scale to be brought to me or take the fish alive in my livewell to the nears certified scales and have it weighed, measured & pics taken and then take it back to where I got it from and release her. They could give me all the tickets in the world for doing this but I will just pay them and keep a on my face. And if they take the record away because I broke the law by taking it from the lake or not releasing it right away... tough luck. I would know the truth and so would Cabela's, cause that would be the first call I make while still on the water.... I would make sure they met me on shore to do this the right way........... just my thought on this.............
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[doggonefishin]

Nice work! Who cares what those turkeys might say! They probably are just envious. I too have come to appreciate the quality of the green fish out of Utah lake. A good challenge and lots of fun!
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[kastmaster]

Jason,

Great story and good job on the bass. We need together sometime and do some bassin'.
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[Apocalypse]

George

Thanks... Yeah let's go catch some bass, I talked to a DWR guy who steered me toward a bass spot that I'm itching to get to. I'm on holiday until July 15 so I'm headed down there pretty soon and it's close enough. I've been to Yuba catching northerns and walleye lately also. Next week would be great, my daughter is in town until Monday. PM me if you want to go...
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[Apocalypse]

Yeah I released her, she was a bit too big to keep for Utah Lake. I would probably release her anyway. My wife is exceptionally cool about the time I spend fishing but she wouldn't really want a fish on our wall. Now if it was a record of some kind I might just insist on putting it in the garage at least.
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[Leaky33]

Now that's a great story. Good on ya, you paid your dues and you were rewarded, good on ya.[][] I only wish I had the energy and drive to do it. That's what happens when you get so old as where you're pooping in your diapers. Good fish attracting? Don't worry, the Sparkinator and I will still do our share of catchun, just not that goooooood. [] Keep it up guy.
Leaky and the Sparkinator
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[kastmaster]

I remember seeing you on that Reece Stein's episode at Yuba Lake. You guys were catching them northerns and walleyes that day.

[Bass-Trackin]

That is a great story I to enjoy the hunt of finding new spots on lakes or just finding out where the bass are when the lake is at different water depths. I've only fishing utah lake once and it was so windy I couldn't even fish where I was expecting to find large mouth so I am still drawling a blank for that lake but your post has lite a fire under my @$$ again so I am thinking about going soon. Good job bud, I am sure your getting all kinds of Private Messages now. Ha Ha[] O yeah please go get another camera in case you hook this monster again.
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[Fin-S-Fish]

Did you measure the fish? I'm not trying to question your achievement I had the same feeling when I caught my monster for the year this year, good job, that's awesome. I'm just curious how big it was. I know there are upwards of 10 lb bass in Utah lake likely. I fished that lake alot and for years they averaged 16-19 inches. Anything smaller that I considered tiny. My biggest bass this year was 21 and 1/2 inches and 6lbs at a top secret tiny water in the middle of nowhere.[] Haven't hit Utah lake as much since the big crash. I know they are recovering though.

[Nica]

Good job man. I have been spending some time down there too, there are some spots in there that are accessible by car where you know there have got to be some biggies in there. Good job letting her go too.
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[twolves]

yeah there are some nice fish in utah lake. been fishing at least 2 times a week down there for the last month. lost a fish 2 feet from the bank that i estimate would have easily gone 7lbs, jumped twice and broke me off as i was close to reaching to pull him up. spinnerbaits in firetiger colors have been deadly of late.
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[Apocalypse]

I didn't measure her, I thought about it as I let her go and she just swam off slow as could be. Really I just enjoyed the moment and admired her for a few without much other thought.
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