Biggest fly-rod bass ever

[SteveGibson]

I had a charter Friday. I took a first-time kayak fly-rodder to Lake Manatee. We did super well on big bluegill. The wind was blowing, so I had him anchor and cast a No. 12 gold bead nymph under a strike indicator. He had a blast, catching pound bluegill.

I saw a fish bust about 30 feet out in the open lake. I watched for a while, then saw a tail pierce the water's surface. I had no clue what it was.

I made a cast, immediately hooked up. Turned out to be a bass that I estimated close to 8 pounds.

Wow!

[dpenrod]

nice. would love to see a pic of that. the best i have done on a fly rod so far is a measly 18 incher.

[scubatim]

Great fish that had to be fun

[Big Bad Wulff]

No picture= didn't happen

[jkilroy]

What did you catch the big bass on?

[ohiotuber]

That 8 pound largemouth would be a "once in a lifetime bass" for most of us...certainly for me!
Congrats!!
Mike

[SteveGibson]

No picture= didn't happen

I'll have a picture. My client took a picture of me and the bass. He was using one of those disposable film cameras. He said he'd get a print to me when he has the film developed.

[SteveGibson]

What did you catch the big bass on?

Gold bead-head nymph.