queensland A Little Tale Of A Big Bass

[basshunter1987]

Here's a little fishing tale of a big North Pine Dam bass.

In August 2012, Dennis (@Dinodadog) recorded a new PB for himself when he captured quite a sizeable bass. This fish was huge, and fell only just short of the magical 60cm mark, coming in at 58.5cm. Being this size, the bass was probably quite old, maybe even 15 years or more. Adding to this, the fish had at some point been captured at least once before, as it had an old algae encrusted tag stuck in its back. Unfortuately though, there were no records of this tag. Since that day, on almost every trip out to the dam, I wonder where that bass is, and hope that someday we'll see it again. I mean, it would surely be 60cm by now!

 

 

Well, skip forward to June 2016. Another fisherman by the name of Charlie was out on the dam hunting a big bass himself. Charlie was currently enjoying greatest month of his fishing life, nailing a few whoppers and it would be fair to say he was in great form! He hooked and landed the biggest bass he'll see for a long time, laid it out on the brag mat, and up comes a new PB of 58cm. Charlie, absolutely thrilled, also notices this fish has a crusty old tag in its back. The details are sent in to Suntag, and back come the results that link these two very lucky fisherman. Charlie and Dennis, both recaptured the very same bass four years apart. The fish had not grown one bit! The very slight difference in measurement can be explained by small variations in measuring devices, or possibly that the bass was in fat winter condition when Dennis caught it, and a bit slimmer (and even older) when Charlie found it.

 

 

So, if you're hoping to see that whopper you caught again one day, it is very possible! Catch and release, so someone else can land the big one!

 

Link to Dino's original post that the fish first featured: 

 

 

Luke

[samsteele115]

Wow, great write up Luke. What a fantastic story of an old fish! If only the bass could tell it's own story. Cheers 

[aussie123]

Maybe the Northsiders can recruit this Charlie fella into their ranks,lol 

Nice fish.

[kmcrosby78]

Great fishing tale right there, with the proof to go with it!!

[bersim]

All I can say is that is one stupid bass hahaha.  But on a serious note that really is something special.  Very cool to see how it's going and to know that after all that time it is still looking pretty healthy and the tag is still in.  Fish of a lifetime for sure!  You'd think it at least could have grown a cm or 2 just so it could be called a unicorn though!

 

[rayke1938]

Going by the catch card I think he got 3 or 4 over 50s all in a yak within 1/2 k of the ramp.

Cheers

Ray

[Dinodadog]

Sad part to the story though the fish did not survive the capture,Charlie was very upset.

 

Dino

[Angus]

Wow! The largest I have held was 52cm and that felt immense.

Great to see.

Angus

[The Mad Hughesy]

so i wonder how that goes in terms of identifying the age of a fish purely on its size....

[samsteele115]

do 60cm bass actually exist? Never seen one on a mat

[Nog]

26 minutes ago, samsteele115 said:

do 60cm bass actually exist? Never seen one on a mat

No such thing. As we all know they stop growing at 58.5cm

[r_thoma5]

That's a great story. The 60cm unicorn is waiting to be caught there.

 

[aussie123]

I seen a 60cm Bass taken from the brissy river last year, in fact I think it was an Australian Record.

The Macleay River in NSW has given up a few unicorns over the years as well.

[Dinodadog]

13 hours ago, Nog said:

No such thing. As we all know they stop growing at 58.5cm

Most bass grow according to supply of food in that dam or creek.One of the reasons why we tag as most waterways are different. Some feed from bait schools, some from shrimp from the edges.Only way to get the age of the fish is from the age rings in the bone.

[Dinodadog]

If anyone has a pic of a bigger bass on a bragmat feel free to put it up.

 

Dino

[Binder]

 

[bersim]

Hahaha wow that's impressive Andrew.  Why not submit that one to get the Australian record 

[Dinodadog]

I think we have seen that one before.

[Joe K]

Great write up Luke on a grand old lady. My commiserations Dino, I was really hoping you would boat her again when she grew to a 60cm plus bass. I find bass over 55cm can sometimes release poorly. Reason could be the old age of the fish. These bass need to be returned to the water asap. And at times the fisho needs to swim the bass for 10-15 minutes to fully revive it. This is especially so for big river bass when the oxygen level of the water is low. Happy Bassin!

Cheers... Joe. 

[Dinodadog]

Thanks Joe I am aiming for a bigger one next time

[Drop Bear]

One day. It would be great to see a 60.5cm one so there is no doubt that it was above 60...

[Dinodadog]

Thats my aim,but I turn 75 tomorrow and I am running out of time

Dino

[ellicat]

Happy birthday. That's a big one !

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

4 hours ago, Dinodadog said:

Thats my aim,but I turn 75 tomorrow and I am running out of time

Dino

You'll get there soon Dino! 

Happy Birthday for tomorrow.

[Drop Bear]

On 22/04/2021 at 5:15 PM, Dinodadog said:

Thats my aim,but I turn 75 tomorrow and I am running out of time

Dino

Good to see you are still at it.