Big Chickamauga Spaaat...
- Thread starter RangerRob
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Nice fish. But I don't beleive it is a spotted bass. Looks like a good old Tennessee River Smallmouth to me. It may have a tooth pach on it's tounge and that's why Andy wanted to get an official weight.
A lot of Chickamauga Smallmouth have tooth patches now a days but, in my book, IF THEY ARE BROWN THEY ARE SMALLIES.
A lot of Chickamauga Smallmouth have tooth patches now a days but, in my book, IF THEY ARE BROWN THEY ARE SMALLIES.
Tr19
Well-known member
I don't care what is is , Thats a goodin !!
Carl Guffey
Well-known member
The reason TWRA wants DNA tissue is that your summation of a smallmouth is probably correct although it is probably a mean-mouth(hybrid smallmouth, northern spot cross) That is a one in a million fish, non-hybrid northern spots just don't get that large.
G
Guest
Guest
Im just proud to see that Andy wasnt willing to kill a good spot/small/mean whatever it is just to inflate his ego with a record. Ive seen people kill big brood fish for a whole lot less......BTW, if you have purchased a license, then you have that right, however, I would prefer that they get to swim off to live another day. My .02
We had a fellow that brought a 6.90 something to the scales holding it by the lip not in a bag or water Saturday!! He was informed that to be weighed and counted that it had to be in a bag with water , and that it had to be released as it was the TX's fish if it were to be counted. Good rule... I like it...
Please guys/gals, take care of our natural resources, or they will disappear.
We had a fellow that brought a 6.90 something to the scales holding it by the lip not in a bag or water Saturday!! He was informed that to be weighed and counted that it had to be in a bag with water , and that it had to be released as it was the TX's fish if it were to be counted. Good rule... I like it...
Please guys/gals, take care of our natural resources, or they will disappear.
Liveliner
Well-known member
Come on now guys, Wake up. Don't be so proud of the guy for releasing that awsome sized Spaaat. Did you forget what we here on CFF are trying to promote? "Eat More Spots".
By releasing that fish, if in fact it was a spot, it has caused more harm to our Bass enviroment than good.
Should have killed it and put the record at Chickamauga.
By releasing that fish, if in fact it was a spot, it has caused more harm to our Bass enviroment than good.
Should have killed it and put the record at Chickamauga.
G
Guest
Guest
We dont know for sure that it was a spot......Everybody has the right to eat whatever they catch or kill, Im just for the other side. Besides, Im going to have to see a lot more documented proof from more than 1 person to buy into that. I have worked with TVA's Aquatic Enviromental Group, and I dont honestly remember hearing anything of the sort not saying it isnt true.
Bilo has plenty of fish for sale if youre that hungry emoSmile
Bilo has plenty of fish for sale if youre that hungry emoSmile
Bumble Bee Kid
Well-known member
I talked to Andy about a hour ago and he said it was a spot. Not a mean mouth I would think that andy morgan would know for sure what species the fish was considering he fishes for a living. I totally agree with WormHook I think andy done the right thing releasing that fish. and thats my .02 worth
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Well.....I don't care WHAT he does for a living. Unless the color is off in that photo, that fish is BROWN. I've caught thousands of smallmouths, and hundreds of spots. Until I hear a biologist tell me different, THAT'S A SMALLMOUTH.
G
Guest
Guest
Easy there big guy. Its a nice fish no matter what color or species.
It is pretty important as a Professional Angler that you are able to identify a species as different states have different length restrictions such as TN. My opinion, along with Bumble Bee Kid is that Andy probably knows what he is talking about. That said, everyone can make a mistake, and being a Pro Angler doesnt make it gosple, however, Andy is from here and has seem thousands of fish also.
That is why the TWRA wanted a tissue sample to verify the species. No harm no foul.
Nice Fish!! emoSmile
It is pretty important as a Professional Angler that you are able to identify a species as different states have different length restrictions such as TN. My opinion, along with Bumble Bee Kid is that Andy probably knows what he is talking about. That said, everyone can make a mistake, and being a Pro Angler doesnt make it gosple, however, Andy is from here and has seem thousands of fish also.
That is why the TWRA wanted a tissue sample to verify the species. No harm no foul.
Nice Fish!! emoSmile
MooseKnuckle
Well-known member
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It's amazing to me how people can see a picture that's posted on the internet, without having any idea of the camera or lighting, and know more about the subject than the person that was there with it live.
G
Guest
Guest
I have caught several spots, and I have NEVER seen one that brown. Not saying it's a spot or a smallie, but if it's a spot, that thing has a great sun tan. 
Personally, any bass less than 15" is subject to going into the freezer. Anything bigger is usually released. It's great that it was released, for another angler to catch at some point in time.
And just because a person is a "professional" in their respective field, doesn't mean that they are accurate 100% of the time. I have seen amateur anglers, especially the older fellows, that could school "pro" bass anglers.
Personally, any bass less than 15" is subject to going into the freezer. Anything bigger is usually released. It's great that it was released, for another angler to catch at some point in time.
And just because a person is a "professional" in their respective field, doesn't mean that they are accurate 100% of the time. I have seen amateur anglers, especially the older fellows, that could school "pro" bass anglers.
Careful there, nwgabassmaster......according to a couple of the guys above, if it was PINK and the guy said it was a spot, then it's a spot. </p>
I ain't believeing it, no matter what anybody says, until some firm evidence is brought forth. Too many stripes on the face, and way too brown.</p>
Then again.....I'm just a humble old "working man" instead of one of them thar "Pro Fishermans". Of course....I've met a few professionals over the years that weren't smart enough to get in out of the rain.</p>
I ain't believeing it, no matter what anybody says, until some firm evidence is brought forth. Too many stripes on the face, and way too brown.</p>
Then again.....I'm just a humble old "working man" instead of one of them thar "Pro Fishermans". Of course....I've met a few professionals over the years that weren't smart enough to get in out of the rain.</p>
Buoy-Master
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- Apr 30, 2006
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Liveliner
Well-known member
I conceed to the release. Maybe I can hook that big fish some day. I would have released it myself for the record.
[img=http://cms.outdoorsfanmedia.com/resources/Pros/M/Morgan_Andy/Morgan_Andy_0702_record_spot__AM.jpg]
[img=http://cms.outdoorsfanmedia.com/resources/Pros/M/Morgan_Andy/Morgan_Andy_0702_record_spot__AM.jpg]
nwright
Well-known member
I trust someone’s ability to identify a fish when they have it in their hand, more so than someone trying to identify it via picture. I talked to Andy at the boat ramp the day after he caught it and he was pretty excited about the catch. I have worked with Andy for the last couple of years on GPS related issues and have found him to be one of the nicest and most honorable young men I have been around.
For those that say that Kentucky Bass (Spots) don’t get that big this far north then please explain how the current state record weighed the same.
As for DNA samples, just how many state record fish do you suppose had samples taken from them? Probably zero. Does that automatically disqualify them? Not to me and obviously the state.
For the record, I have only had one fish mounted in my life but had I caught the fish it would be on my wall. For me, that would have been the honorable thing to do because the license I bought entitled me to keep it.
Congratulations Andy.
For those that say that Kentucky Bass (Spots) don’t get that big this far north then please explain how the current state record weighed the same.
As for DNA samples, just how many state record fish do you suppose had samples taken from them? Probably zero. Does that automatically disqualify them? Not to me and obviously the state.
For the record, I have only had one fish mounted in my life but had I caught the fish it would be on my wall. For me, that would have been the honorable thing to do because the license I bought entitled me to keep it.
Congratulations Andy.
Carl Guffey
Well-known member
For the same reason that the state record smallmouth is 11 lbs. 15 ozs. but how many have you seen. Record fish are one in a billion....I am not saying it was or it wasn't, but in these days of hybridization the only way to know for sure is a DNA sample. I had a friend three years ago lose a state record rainbow because it was carrying Brown trout DNA.... Because of man made reservoirs it has become neccessary to check all genetics on any fish being certified for a state or world record.
