Fish-Hawk.Net

I was fishing in the Rideau Canal right in downtown Ottawa this evening off the shore, just lost a fish of about 1lb (still not used to these barbless hooks!) when I hooked into a bass - I instantly realised that it was really really big - after a couple of minutes struggle I got a couple who were passing by jogging to give me a hand and managed to reach under the bars and get the fish.

I think they thought I was snagged since the conversation went 'so what do you actually catch here..LOOK AT THE SIZE OF IT'

It was at least 3lbs, I think it may have been around 5 judging by the pictures I have seen on here. Its the biggest bass I've ever seen in person.

I got the jogger to take a photo or my terrible camera phone, unfortunately I didn't check the picture since I wanted to get the fish back in the water as soon as possible (it was exhausted and not really moving), and once it recovered and swam off and I finally check the photo I found that he's pressed the wrong button and lost it . I think it would easily have been my pb as well.

Moral of the story - always bring a proper camera, and a tape measure/scales!

Couple of quick questions - what is the best way to weigh a fish without hurting it? Measure its length and use a chart? And what is the best size fish to keep for eating? I plan to take just one fish between 1lb and 2lb... is that a good guideline?

Easiest on the fish is to weigh the net with the fish in it, then subtract the weight of the empty net.

As for eating size for bass, it is a good idea to let the prime spawners go. But you don't want too small, as it would be extra work cleaning - you would need quite a few little ones for a meal.

IMO a >2 but <3lb bass is ideal for the pan...

As for your big bass, grab your camera, go back, and catch it again!!
You know where it is hanging out, you can definitely catch the same bass 2X, sometimes right after the release the same fish will hit again.

Good luck...

Thanks, yeah any big ones will always go straight back asap! I wasn't sure what a good minimum/maximum size was, I will aim for around the 2lb mark.

I definitely will be back to that spot with my camera!

That is so disappoint'g to not have a picture, but glad you got the big catch revived and swimming off. That's more important. Sounds like a nice one.

W.

get the girlfriend a new digital camera for her birthday,christmas, whatever . By doing this you become the new owner of the old digital camera which now lives in your tackle box. Worked great for me, its a win win