7# 15 oz American Lake Pot Belly

Comment

Comment by Tag Watson on August 16, 2011 at 5:55pm

Jon, I am not a biologist but I think it may have more to do with the forage and biomass balance in a fishery vs. depth and temperature.  Genetics likely play a role as well.  However, I do notice the deep, clear fisheries have great looking fish.  Moses is a great example of a shallow, very warm water fishery where the fish are built like tanks.  I think American has an abundance of food for both species: perch, rock bass, craws, kokanee, etc.  They don't look any better than your American fish.   

 

I fished the same lake I fished this weekend 8 or 9 years ago and although it was post spawn, the fish had enormous heads and no body then as well.  We caught a bunch of fish this weekend in the 4 and 5+ pound range.  However, they all should have been 5, 6 pounds and heavier based on their length and head size.  Might have to try this lake in the prespawn some year. 

Comment by Jon Werner on August 16, 2011 at 8:46am

I noticed the head on those fish Tag. Do you think that short, thick build of the Am Lk fish is due to them residing in deeper, cooler water?

Comment by Tag Watson on August 15, 2011 at 10:06pm

To put it in perspective, I caught a largemouth this weekend that was over 22" and barely weighed 6 lbs. (aka big head)  That American Lake fish is a flat out stud!!!!

Comment by Jon Werner on August 15, 2011 at 9:49am

Chris - this was the most 'compact' large largemouth I've ever caught.

Comment by Chris Blandi on August 15, 2011 at 9:28am

I love when they are like that, shaped like a WA lake fattie.

Comment by Jon Werner on August 15, 2011 at 8:18am

Tag - 22" long 18.5 round - A smallmouth in a largemouth body.  I've noticed the big largemouth in American seem short but very thick.

Comment by Tag Watson on August 14, 2011 at 10:06pm

That is a beauty, Jon!  What an incredible build on that fish for this time of year.   

Comment by P.J. Koshi on August 14, 2011 at 3:39pm

Nice Sweatshirt Jon... Nice fish too!