Geez, bud, you couldn't have called it any closer! I scrolled down looking for that replica-maker's link -- that YOU provided, coincidentally enough!!! ( Jeffsfishmounts.com )

Anyways, when I read your "JSmith" post from 3/14 just now, I couldn't believe you called it to the DAY -- catching your 10-plus on the 29th, the last day in your "no later than" statement. That was quite the call!!!

Can you tell me what day it will be that I beat your **16**???!!! :7

In any case, this guy 'Jeff' looks like he does some good work, even if that "$13 per inch" quote adds up pretty quickly!!! (What did you say yours was? 28 inches long? Hmmm... 28x13=$364, plus another $50 or so for the driftwood mount. Looks like over $400 for his basic quote). Well, at least you have a starting point for comparison, if nothing else! Like I had said a couple weeks ago: since all you're left with is the PHOTO, which you'll ALWAYS have, there's no real reason to rush into anything.

If you happen to shop around & find a better deal, with the same level of quality Jeff Soto seems to offer, be sure & post what you find. I've still got an 11-5'er I'd like to see mounted on the wall someday -- if not something BIGGER!!!

Actually that fish was 28"l x 25"g. I called a guy in Wilton and he does graphite replicas that look sweet. He charges $16 per inch which = $448. My dad's buddy is Larry Newby who runs Newbass and is also a Taxidermist. He's doing a fiberglass replica for me at a screamin price in exchange for some work my dad might do on his roof. But if you call him, just mention my name, Jerry Hecox and he'll probably give you a deal. He does great work. He's done a bass, bobcat, and a bear for my dad and they look sweet. His phone #(916)660-0311

If I was a little more computer knowledgable I would have won that tackle pack.

Time to start gearin' up for the next one! Tell your uncle to do those photos in JPG format next time. Yeah, Mike M. sure squeaked it out this time, with that pesky little contest rule -- a big *WHEW!* from him -- from not just one, but TWO other contenders (still fair-&- square, though, no doubt)!

Let's do it again!

How about a contest running every month for the biggest bass posted. Each month I could donate a gift certificate from the shop. Anyone not in my area who wins can call me and order their items over the phone. With our website coming out soon(hopefully) every winner could scan through the site and come up with a shopping list. Let's say a $50 certificate up for grabs each month. I'll have to check with Swimbait first to get the go ahead, but if he's into it we'll run it retroactive from April 1st. Let me know what you guys think.

That sounds really great. I'm sure the BnT'rs will love the idea.

Sounds excellent chris. Shouldn't have too much trouble convincing rob I don't think...
-Brian

I guess we'll need to clarify all this stuff if it's gonna be an ongoing thing. A couple of guys who *caught* their fish before the 3/31 deadline, didn't get their photos up in time to win. So, does that mean that their subsequent *postings* count for April, even though the fish were caught the last weekend of March? Or do we specify that the clock starts on any *catches* beginning on the 1st of the month, and you have to post your photos before the month is over?

I'm not just trying to be my normal anal self on this, it's just that a couple of potential (actually, *legitimate*) candidates missed out on the prize because of the way the rules were stated, even though their catches were caught in the calendar month. Right now, the basic question is: would Bucketmouth's 16'er count toward April, even though he caught it on 3/29?

Just for the sake of clarity (and therefore, fairness!), I think we need to nail this down, with as little ambiguity as possible. Of course, the whole contest is based upon the honor system to begin with, so I suppose there's potential for any number of disputes. Hopefully, we can keep it to a good ol' *gentleman's agreement*. I guess it shouldn't get too far out of hand, given the limited number of qualifying candidates we're going to be dealing with.


Thoughts from the board?

j,
Swimbait just called me and we discussed this very point. We agreed that to give guys sufficient time to post a catch from late in the month, that a three day window will be allowed.

I will be drawing up a preliminary guideline for the contest, and then let Rob go over it to see what he thinks. Then it will be posted, and everyone can weigh in on if they like the format or not.

Though I can't back track on the intial rules and ruling for the March contest, the 16 lb. fish will be allowed into the April contest. So the gauntlet has been thrown down for everyone else.

Thanks for the input, I want this to be something everyone can enjoy, and everyone can deem as fair for all participants. Chris.

Right on Chris, thanks for being so generous!

Thats cool! I was trying to get the photo up in time but I have no idea what I'm doin on this computer. Look for my next 10lb plus fish to be posted this month. I know where some more hawgs are hangin. Jerry

Sounds like we're on the right track here -- I'd better get to work! CJ, your follow-up sounds fair as fair can be; I'm all for it, the way you've sketched it out in your post. I'm sure anything close to that would be good. (Yeah, Jerry, you can take a day or two to catch your breath with your Seco 16'er, but with this buncha hawg-hunters, NO lead is safe! You've just raised the bar, that's all (and that's what it's all about, anyway, right?)!!).

The battle's on yet again, boys!!! (And, hey - where *ARE* the girls, anyway??!!! Any honey-dew hawghunters out there???). :D

BTW, a 19-8 was caught at Casitas today on a Castaic Trout 12 inch. A friend saw a picture of the fish at Eric's Tackle this afternoon. No Lead Is Safe.....

19-8!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the biggest fish from Casitas in how long? Wow.

dammit dammit dammit dammit. I need a trolling motor. dammit. That's a giant. I'll see if I can smuggle some pics onto the site tomorrow.
-Brian