so andy, i take it since it was entered into the program the fish was again released.. Is that correct? just wondering

goes to show you how territorial bass really are!

Just wish folks would do more of this on Caney Lake so it would return back to the old days of fish like that again.

We should have already had bass this size in Lake Cataouatche. We just do not have the conservation minded fishermen like they do in Texas. This lake was hit hard and a ton of big bass taken out 3 years ago, and it happened again the week after the Classic this spring. I keep trying to explain to the local fishermen if they want bass to eat, keep the 1 and 2 lbers... there are a bunch of them that size in the lake. Throw back the 4,5,6, 7, 8,9, and 10 lbers. Those big bass are the ones that will grow into the huge fish everyone would like to catch, plus they are the brood stock for the big ones yet to come.

Rock you are 100% right. 3 years ago i was catching 4lbers every trip, now its much different. People have really put a hurtin on the place... Most people there seem to keep everything and its having its effects in my opinion

This fish will be released again, so it will soon be swimming in Caddo again.

For the record, catch and release definitely has a role to play in fishery management, but it can be over played. Keeping fish is a MUST in order to produce trophies.

And I have to say I probably would have killed and mounted this fish if I had caught it. At 16 pounds, it's produced millions of eggs and done its job in continuing its genetics.

But guys like Sean and Keith chose to let it go and hang a replica. That's fine, too. It's a personal decision, and I don't think either choice is wrong.

Of course, there's no doubt that if Keith hadn't released the fish there would have been no chance for us to hear the really cool story of Sean recatching it.

yes this fish is awesome and the story is even better.

And i am not a catch and release freak... I mostly do but a fish like this i would surely have mounted but admire those that release..

I think C&R is overplayed, however in areas like Catouachie its a must cause its so overpressured... Thats why the area has slowed down...

But this fish is unreal and a real trophy, story is great as well

Yes, for a body of water to stay productive, a cetain amount of fish should be taken out, but this is not the case with the Cat. The fish have been flyin outta there like coupons at a Wal-Mart. To keep this place special, fishermen need to take out the 1 to 2 lb. bass, they are still a lot in this range there. We need to be returning the large bass so everyone can get a chance to enjoy catching them. As far as mounting bass, a dead fish stuck on a wall no longer impresses me. I used to mount bass, and have not done so in over 20 years. If I would catch that 16 lber, I would have down what those gentlmen done and released her, but thats me. Lord help me if I were to catch a record. I certainly would not kill it, but would prefer to keep it alive and put her in Bass Pro Shop aquarium, or similar venue. People from all over could enjoy seeing here and perhaps educating people on conservation.