Customer Catch Story: Walton King

“It was the day after Easter, April Fools’ Day of this year. I’m at student Mississippi State University, and I had just come back early from Easter weekend after spending time with my family simply to go fish around Starkville, MS. With my busy college schedule, it was the only day I could dedicate all day to fishing. I had been on a bad luck streak for a while, but that has never stopped me from fishing- even in the dead of winter. On April Fools’ Day, my dedication paid off. All day I caught nothing until I, with the permission of the homeowner, fished a private pond. My understanding was that the pond was stocked by the previous owner at least over a decade ago, but since then, the pond hasn’t seen much attention. I had been using BassForecast for a few months now, and it has tremendously increased my bass knowledge. BassForecast taught me that the bass were in spawn (great for a bank fisher like me) and overcast conditions were great for topwater. That said, I chose a topwater popping frog. I also was gifted this frog the day before as a little Easter happy. I had never caught a fish on the frog, so I was just exited to use it. In the corner of the pond, I spotted this raging bass splashing up the water. Though I’m not sure whether it was attacking or defending the bed, it was for sure ANGRY! I casted my frog just slightly beyond the bass. Pop. Pop. SMACK! Absolutely inhaled. The monster fought HARD, swimming to deeper cover, but after what at least felt like to me an hour fight, tired it out to the bank. Caught. I sprinted back to my car to grab my scale- I had never even caught a fish heavy enough to use it on yet. The lunker was just about 9lbs. Unfortunately, my cheap mechanical scale couldn’t give a decimal accurate reading. Grabbed my picture and safely released the beast. BassForecast and the knowledge it has provided me as a relatively inexperienced bass angler made this catch possible. It may had been April Fools’ Day, but this bass was NO JOKE! *It’s another long story, but ironically enough this bass caused me a lot of uh- girl problems. Lost the girl but caught the lunker… a little extra reward would be nice. Thanks”

- Walton King

Date Caught 04/01/2024
State Caught MS
Species Largemouth
Weight / Length 9lbs, 24in
Lure Used SPRO Dean Rojas Signature Series Bronzeye Popper Frog
Rod Used Lew’s Laser SG1, 7’2” Medium-Heavy action
Reel Used Lew’s Classic Pro Speed Spool baitcaster
Line Used P-Line Flouroclear copolymer, 15lbs
BFC Rating N/A, Don’t remember
Water Temperature N/A
Depth of Fish 1ft
Bait Used Top Water/Frog
Bait Finish Dull/Matte
Bait Color Theme Green
Presentation Speed Medium
Lake Structure Flat near spawning area
Primary Cover Type Rock

Customer Catch Story: Walton King

Catch Story Details