Mike Long takes a world-record class fish out of Lake Missio

[Brian D.]

I have my opinion on this subject, but I'd like to hear from you guys and gals out there on how this world-record class fish was caught, verified, and announced.

Here is the article from the SD Union Tribune.

-------------------------------------------------

Mike Long's whopper is No. 17 all-time but, technically, not a Lake Mission Viejo mark
By Ed Zieralski
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 30, 2005

Turns out Mike Long's 19.2-pound bass that he caught last Saturday at Lake Mission Viejo won't be the official lake record.

But it will keep its spot at No. 17 on the all-time heaviest black bass ever caught in the world. Long joined the ranks of Bob Crupi and Dan Kadota as the only anglers with two bass in the Bassmaster Magazine Top 25 All-Time Largemouth Bass. Long also is credited with a 20.75-pound bass he caught April 27, 2001 at Lake Dixon in Escondido.

Here's why it's not a lake record at Lake Mission Viejo, a private lake open to Mission Viejo Association members and their guests:

Dave Kerr, the manager at Lake Mission Viejo Association, doesn't doubt that Long caught the 19.2-pound bass, just as he doesn't doubt Long once caught an 18-pound bass at the lake.

But Kerr said Thursday that the official record stays at 17 pounds, 6 ounces for a bass caught July 1, 2001 by Association member Richard Orellana.

"I just talked to Mike and I'm convinced he caught the bass, and I believe he caught it here and it was that big," Kerr said. "But we agreed that it isn't our official lake record because he didn't weigh it in here for anyone to see. This is the second time he has claimed a record here, and both times he failed to weigh the fish."

Long didn't weigh the 18-0 or the recent 19.2. Instead, rather than take the bass to the dock for weighing, Long weighed the bass on his hand-held Berkley 50-pound Digital Scale and released it in the same area where he caught it. He said he used an 8-inch Huddleston swimbait and pulled the lunker from under a swim dock in Lake Mission Viejo's Bahia del Lago, or what Long calls Pepinos Arm, named for an Italian restaurant nearby.

One of the pictures Long submitted to the Union-Tribune clearly shows the Berkley scale at "19.2," not 19-2 as was reported earlier. The 19.2 reading puts it at just over 19 pounds, 3 ounces.

Long, who was interviewed Thursday for a spot that airs tomorrow on ESPN's "Loudmouth Bass," said his scale has been approved by the International Game Fish Association for weighing record bass. He also had a witness to the catch, Mission Viejo Association member Mark Scott.

"That's why I took a picture of the bass on the scale," Long said. "I'm not calling it the official lake record, and I'm not trying to claim it."

Kerr, who has been at the 124-acre, mile-long lake for 27 years, said the scale at Mission Viejo is not a certified one, but he requires fishermen to weigh potential lake-record fish on the lake's scale with a lake employee present.

"That's only fair to everyone else who fishes here," Kerr said, adding that staff members usually are around until midnight.

Lake Mission Viejo's written policy prohibits anglers from putting bass in their live wells from March 1 to June 1, unless the bass is a potential lake or world-record catch.

Long could have put the bass in his livewell, returned to the dock and tried to find someone to weigh it, but he chose not to.

"I've quit taking bass to the dock and have been releasing my fish where I catch them," Long said.

Long's 19.2-pounder edged ahead of three bass caught in San Diego County on the Top 25 All-Time Largemouth Bass list. There's a 19.19-pound bass caught by Ardon Hanline on Feb. 17, 1987 at Lake Morena, and another 19.19-pounder caught by Steve Beasley on Feb. 3, 1986 at lake Wohlford.

Next up is the controversial 19.06-pounder caught by former Lake Miramar concession operator Sandy DeFresco. That bass, moved down to 20th now, was thought to be the heaviest bass caught in 56 years until it was discovered it had a 2-pound, 8-ounce lead diving weight in its stomach. DeFresco was given credit for her bass' weight, minus the lead in the belly.

Mission Viejo has become a draw for big-bass chasers due to its giant bass, trout-fed with Mt. Lassen rainbows from November to April. Some of the lake's original bass came from San Diego lakes in the mid-1970s, Kerr said. He said one angler has caught 13 bass over 9 pounds this year.

[Shawn R.]

I was under the impression he would help protect the lakes popularity, Especially knowing he is not a member and fishes here as a guest. But why get the word out or tell anyone?? Especially if your not worried about setting the lake record??? Im confused on the mixed messages? I know of a bigger fish caught by a certain long time member but no one will ever hear about it!! Lets keep it this way come on!! I got one word: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! And i will follow my own advice! Back in the day, i made sure everyone knew about every big fish i caught from this lake, Man i regret it.

> I have my opinion on this subject, but I'd
> like to hear from you guys and gals out
> there on how this world-record class fish
> was caught, verified, and announced.

> Here is the article from the SD Union
> Tribune.

>
> -------------------------------------------------

> Mike Long's whopper is No. 17 all-time but,
> technically, not a Lake Mission Viejo mark
> By Ed Zieralski
> UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
> April 30, 2005

> Turns out Mike Long's 19.2-pound bass that
> he caught last Saturday at Lake Mission
> Viejo won't be the official lake record.

> But it will keep its spot at No. 17 on the
> all-time heaviest black bass ever caught in
> the world. Long joined the ranks of Bob
> Crupi and Dan Kadota as the only anglers
> with two bass in the Bassmaster Magazine Top
> 25 All-Time Largemouth Bass. Long also is
> credited with a 20.75-pound bass he caught
> April 27, 2001 at Lake Dixon in Escondido.

> Here's why it's not a lake record at Lake
> Mission Viejo, a private lake open to
> Mission Viejo Association members and their
> guests:

> Dave Kerr, the manager at Lake Mission Viejo
> Association, doesn't doubt that Long caught
> the 19.2-pound bass, just as he doesn't
> doubt Long once caught an 18-pound bass at
> the lake.

> But Kerr said Thursday that the official
> record stays at 17 pounds, 6 ounces for a
> bass caught July 1, 2001 by Association
> member Richard Orellana.

> "I just talked to Mike and I'm
> convinced he caught the bass, and I believe
> he caught it here and it was that big,"
> Kerr said. "But we agreed that it isn't
> our official lake record because he didn't
> weigh it in here for anyone to see. This is
> the second time he has claimed a record
> here, and both times he failed to weigh the
> fish."

> Long didn't weigh the 18-0 or the recent
> 19.2. Instead, rather than take the bass to
> the dock for weighing, Long weighed the bass
> on his hand-held Berkley 50-pound Digital
> Scale and released it in the same area where
> he caught it. He said he used an 8-inch
> Huddleston swimbait and pulled the lunker
> from under a swim dock in Lake Mission
> Viejo's Bahia del Lago, or what Long calls
> Pepinos Arm, named for an Italian restaurant
> nearby.

> One of the pictures Long submitted to the
> Union-Tribune clearly shows the Berkley
> scale at "19.2," not 19-2 as was
> reported earlier. The 19.2 reading puts it
> at just over 19 pounds, 3 ounces.

> Long, who was interviewed Thursday for a
> spot that airs tomorrow on ESPN's
> "Loudmouth Bass," said his scale
> has been approved by the International Game
> Fish Association for weighing record bass.
> He also had a witness to the catch, Mission
> Viejo Association member Mark Scott.

> "That's why I took a picture of the
> bass on the scale," Long said.
> "I'm not calling it the official lake
> record, and I'm not trying to claim
> it."

> Kerr, who has been at the 124-acre,
> mile-long lake for 27 years, said the scale
> at Mission Viejo is not a certified one, but
> he requires fishermen to weigh potential
> lake-record fish on the lake's scale with a
> lake employee present.

> "That's only fair to everyone else who
> fishes here," Kerr said, adding that
> staff members usually are around until
> midnight.

> Lake Mission Viejo's written policy
> prohibits anglers from putting bass in their
> live wells from March 1 to June 1, unless
> the bass is a potential lake or world-record
> catch.

> Long could have put the bass in his
> livewell, returned to the dock and tried to
> find someone to weigh it, but he chose not
> to.

> "I've quit taking bass to the dock and
> have been releasing my fish where I catch
> them," Long said.

> Long's 19.2-pounder edged ahead of three
> bass caught in San Diego County on the Top
> 25 All-Time Largemouth Bass list. There's a
> 19.19-pound bass caught by Ardon Hanline on
> Feb. 17, 1987 at Lake Morena, and another
> 19.19-pounder caught by Steve Beasley on
> Feb. 3, 1986 at lake Wohlford.

> Next up is the controversial 19.06-pounder
> caught by former Lake Miramar concession
> operator Sandy DeFresco. That bass, moved
> down to 20th now, was thought to be the
> heaviest bass caught in 56 years until it
> was discovered it had a 2-pound, 8-ounce
> lead diving weight in its stomach. DeFresco
> was given credit for her bass' weight, minus
> the lead in the belly.

> Mission Viejo has become a draw for big-bass
> chasers due to its giant bass, trout-fed
> with Mt. Lassen rainbows from November to
> April. Some of the lake's original bass came
> from San Diego lakes in the mid-1970s, Kerr
> said. He said one angler has caught 13 bass
> over 9 pounds this year.

[Brian Linehan]

[Tony Stoltz]

I think it's simply boiled down to the point that Mike doesn't have anything to prove to anyone, anywhere and likely couldn't care less about all this stuff. The guy is a fishing machine and would likely do the same for a world record class fish. He readily shares his wealth of knowledge when approached and is a class act all the way around.

Just my thoughts as I've never talked with Mike directly about his stuff and event try to speak for him.

Let's just be thankful he lets us know when he's caught another big one and let him do with the fish as he sees fit.

sTony

[Garrett Mercer]

I agree with Tony completely.... Mike is a world class fisherman with a world class act. With all of the latest conraversey he doesnt have to prove anything to anyone anymore, he has proved enough over the years. He has dominated San Diego tournaments for years, as well as pulled giant bass out of the local lakes year after year. There is no doubt in my mind he caught the fish, and I can understand why he does not bring the fish in anymore.

Garrett Mercer

[Brian D.]

or extraordinarily suspicious, but if anyone caught a record class fish they'd be showing it to the world to make sure it was witnessed by as many people as possible. This fish is now ear marked for the record books, why not let everyone one know it was caught other than your buddy? Where are the photos? How come no lake personnel witnessed and verified this fish? Heck, its only five minutes from the main office. Is Mike that jaded with catching big fish that he doesn't bother showing anyone or proving it.

I don't see how this fish could be entered into the record books without more verification such as Length/girth/weight/witnesses/accuracy of scale, etc.

Does the lake have big fish? You bet. Does Mike Long kick butt in tourneys? You bet.

You may wonder how can he come on a private lake and randomly catch that record-class fish while other fishermen and fishing guides who are on the lake daily miss seeing/catching that fish? Is he really that good? Does he have a special whamma-jamma fish chromosome?

Well, just so happens that I ran into Mike at San Vincente this past Saturday and asked him that very question. He said that a few kids/friends that have access to the lake call him and let him know that they saw a BIG fish in the same area for the past few days. So, he got to the lake and managed to catch it on a Huddleston. That's all the detail that I got and the rest is history.

This post is not a bashing session. I just happen to find the way the fish was verified a bit peculiar.

[SOCB_HawgHunter]

They also would not have counted this catch or substantiated it. I would like to draw your attention to number 4.

The real question is if it wasn't "that big of a deal" and he really wasnt going for a record of some sort. Why mention it to the Lake Attendant? How did the newspapers hear about it? If I told you guys a "story" that I heard last Friday about this catch you would flip, I would be sued for slander.

Bottom Line does Mike L have skills - Yes the boy is a big fish catching machine. However when it comes to public attention (image) or consideration he needs to mature quit a bit still.

IGFA rules state:

claims.
WEIGHING REQUIREMENTS
1. The fish must be weighed by an official weighmaster (if one is
available) or by an IGFA official or by a recognized local person
familiar with the scale. Disinterested witnesses to the weight should be
used whenever possible.
2. The weight of the sling, platform, or rope (if one is used to
secure the fish on the scales) must be determined and deducted from the
total weight.
3. At the time of weighing, the actual tackle used by the angler to
catch the fish must be exhibited to the weighmaster and weight witness.
4. No estimated weights will be accepted. Fish weighed only at
sea or on other bodies of water will not be accepted.

[Ray L.]

Mike Long is a class act all the way I have met him briefly two or three times and from what I have seen and heard from others is he is a class act all the way.Why bash the man are you all jealous I think not.Or are you all hungry for publicity.Who knows,but I will say this as of right now he has my respect and I would believe him on any of his catches over many others out there.First his scale IS certified by the I.G.F.A. is Lake M.V...... NO IT IS NOT.Are there pics dam right he took pics or the fish would not make any list.Can guides miss a fish of course they can,time of day the fish was up, wind, clouds, color of the fish,angle of the sun.I can keep going on this.
Talk to some other big fish hunters and see how there life is,divorce, broke,jobless,chastised by other fishermen,etc.etc. ......
Give it a break and just tell the man great catch and go get the world record some day because we all know he is hunting for it.
GOOD LUCK MIKE LONG AND GREAT CATCH AGAIN,GO GET THE WORLD RECORD SO WE CAN ALL SAY YOU GOT IT AND IT CAME FROM CALIF.
Ray L.

[Shawn R.]

First of all, i believe he caught it. I know what lurks in that lake. There are trophy hunters, and then there is Mike Long. Just like you have homerun hitters then you have Mark Mcguire and Sammy Sosa. My question is, he caught the fish and isnt interested in confirming its a record, his scale and one witness is enough, why is this? Is he protecting the lake?, the fish?, himself? Well if all of San Diego knows about it then the answer is no.
If your going to go through the trouble of making the catch known, then why not weigh it in officially? This lake gets pounded!! I see people on cell phones calling each other, people watching me and Troy with binoculars, last week i saw 3 boats sitting on the same fish!!! NO big fish has a chance to hide anymore on the lake.
We dont need anymore press, and we dont need anymore anglers fishing the lake. Please i beg of everyone including mike, lets keep the lake quiet from now on. Even though Mike is not a member, i dont mind him fishing as a guest of a member, but PROTECT the lake please!!! Ive told him this personally its no secret.
> Mike Long is a class act all the way I have
> met him briefly two or three times and from
> what I have seen and heard from others is he
> is a class act all the way.Why bash the man
> are you all jealous I think not.Or are you
> all hungry for publicity.Who knows,but I
> will say this as of right now he has my
> respect and I would believe him on any of
> his catches over many others out there.First
> his scale IS certified by the I.G.F.A. is
> Lake M.V...... NO IT IS NOT.Are there pics
> dam right he took pics or the fish would not
> make any list.Can guides miss a fish of
> course they can,time of day the fish was up,
> wind, clouds, color of the fish,angle of the
> sun.I can keep going on this.
> Talk to some other big fish hunters and see
> how there life is,divorce,
> broke,jobless,chastised by other
> fishermen,etc.etc. ......
> Give it a break and just tell the man great
> catch and go get the world record some day
> because we all know he is hunting for it.
> GOOD LUCK MIKE LONG AND GREAT CATCH AGAIN,GO
> GET THE WORLD RECORD SO WE CAN ALL SAY YOU
> GOT IT AND IT CAME FROM CALIF.
> Ray L.

[Tony Stoltz]

Obviously Mike's not worried about a) whether the fish was verified to anyone's satiafaction other then his own and b) respectfully, anyone's elses opinions.

I may be reading it all wrong but I get the feeling that even had the fish been a coule of pounds larger Mike may very well have done the exact same thing. Not everyone is desirous of the media, manufacturer and industry attention that comes with breaking the world record. Mike seems to have his own way of doing his thing, respectfully and with regard to the bass he's pursuing. He gets a lot of attention no matter what he does and likely isn't wanting anymore attention then he already gets.

Course this is just me talking and reading the situation without ever having a prolonged conversation with Mike Long. We've met and I've had the pleasure of filming his seminar where that he shares with fellow anglers. I admire him for what he does and how consistently he does it.

sTony

[SOCB_Hawghunter]

His fishing skills are not the question, as I said the man CAN catch big fish. The question is in regard to the statement.

If he was not interested in the lake record, why is it in the paper as a contention?

I know his scale is certified, but the IGFA clearly states while not on a body of water.

The lake staff has asked previously that the fish be weighed at thier scale, why not follow those simple guidelines?

My point being these are social issues, and press building. I am sure Huddlestone is very happy seeing Mike in the paper with thier name attached, and I am sure Gerorge Kramer is laughing hystericaly at all of us. But if you are going to submit for a lake record, follow the guidlines or dont submit. Especialy if this same issue has occured in the past.

Your right I only WISH i had the ability, resources and time to chase these lunkers. But do not mistake that for jealousy my friend, I am just pointing out some discretions in the article.

[Ray L.]

I have had the chance to fish the lake a few times over the years and I have lived in Laguna Niguel almost 20 years.I can tell you that the lake has never really been a secret to most Bass fishermen or to people in the industry as I have met quite a few over the years.Also it is still a private lake and there are very few ways to get on the lake.I also think that lake does not get near the pressure that Casitas gets during the spawn.I do not think there is a tournament there every weekend.So what if it gets a little publicity won't it help your guide buisness a little bit.I would think you might get an extra phone call or 2 out of it. Anyway I have said enough about this and I am sure I have stirred the pot a little more by posting, but what the hell sometimes it needs to be stirred in another direction.
Ray L.

[Mike Long]

>

Wow, I think a few people have a bone to pick with me, you know my phone# don't be afraid, give me a call........As for the Mission Viejo bass, I caught her at the lake in the evening of 4-23-05, in the commercial arm of the lake near a large white swim dock, a few kids I know saw her all week long, and one of the boys was in the boat with me. She was 28 1/2" long x 27 1/4" girth, and ate a #12 Huddleston, she was weighed on a I.G.F.A. certified berkley scale, not the non certified lake scale. I took almost 70 pictures, and released the bass. Call me spoiled I guess, there was no need to take the bass in to the marina. As for pictures, I e-mail my large catches to a lot of people Ed Zieralski from the S.D. Union being one of them, he is a good friend.............. Last time I checked I was still living in the U.S.A. and was allowed to do that... I will say this that Mission Viejo is a private lake so tons of people cannot drive up, and get in and fish, but there are a few people who take financial advantage of a private lake, and that is a terrible thing.

[SOCB_Hawghunter]

"I just talked to Mike and I'm convinced he caught the bass, and I believe he caught it here and it was that big," Kerr said. "But we agreed that it isn't our official lake record because he didn't weigh it in here for anyone to see. This is the second time he has claimed a record here, and both times he failed to weigh the fish."

I still do not understand that if you were not in pursuiant of a record why submit it to the papers? I am not saying you didnt catch the fish, I am saying the way the story was written was controversial. If there was a controversy I dont understand why not just follow what you know to be the lakes process. It could just be a matter of how the author presented the story.

Either way dealing with this in a "You got my number" fashion only further proves my point about the social maturity.

[Mike Long]

[Shawn R.]

Mike, you truly have the right to fish the lake (as a guest with a member accompanying you), you truly have the right to send the pictures to your friends, and .........you also truly have the right to ask them not to post the pictures or write articles to help protect this private lake for the rest of us. In the past i have helped exploit the lake for my own personal gain, this is wrong and i wish i could do it over!!! Im still a guide, i still take people fishing there, nowadays its mainly my regulars ive taken for many many years who are already members.
No need to call its nothing i havent said before, and i mean no disprespect i admire what you do!!
take care,

> "I just talked to Mike and I'm
> convinced he caught the bass, and I believe
> he caught it here and it was that big,"
> Kerr said. "But we agreed that it isn't
> our official lake record because he didn't
> weigh it in here for anyone to see. This is
> the second time he has claimed a record
> here, and both times he failed to weigh the
> fish."

> I still do not understand that if you were
> not in pursuiant of a record why submit it
> to the papers? I am not saying you didnt
> catch the fish, I am saying the way the
> story was written was controversial. If
> there was a controversy I dont understand
> why not just follow what you know to be the
> lakes process. It could just be a matter of
> how the author presented the story.

> Either way dealing with this in a "You
> got my number" fashion only further
> proves my point about the social maturity.

[Mike Long]

>
Social Maturity, I deal with the public everytime I get on the water, and off, and if you had ever met me you would know I'm a stand up guy, who works 40 hours a week, and fishes for a hobby, raises a family, and still has the time to donate time to kids tourneys, or club seminars for free. The people who attack me on the internet know who they are, and they have my#..........As for the lake record was not my goal...22+ is the goal, writers will write what they want.

[Tony Stoltz]

Why the comment about social maturity? I've spoken with Mike and he seems to handle crowds and individuals very well. He actually came in here and wrote candidly about the catch. Surely he didn'thaveto do that. He's very approachble and has offered folks that want to confront him the opportunity to do so offline via a phone call. I think that is extremely mature and a great way to handle this situation.

You've got me scratching my head wondering why knock the guy online. He seems to be a level headed nice guy that also catches fish with regularity that others dream of catching.

sTony

[Chris B]

I dont see the problem that everyone is having with Mike catching another huge fish out of LMV and him not bringing it to the scales. As long as he isnt snagging or live baiting the bass (Live Bait is against the rules at LMV)I dont see a problem with it. It seems like he is trying to keep LMV on the quiet side but if the word gets out about huge fish at LMV o well only members are allowed in. And only members can get geust in the lake. I have been a member for 15 years and I dosent bother me about him catching this 19.3 ounce LMB and reporting it to the Union Tribune. Those San Diego guys wont be able to get in and if they do they dont have a registration sticker on there boat so they will be removed off the lake within mintues of launching. Again Congrats on the fish Mike. And I am yet to catch a fish in the HUD out there.

Chris B

[Big Jeff]

Shame that people can not give props where they are due and move on. Congrats on the fatty toad Mike. Your integrity needs no questioning. We're all waiting for you to take that #1 spot in the record book.

[Ray L.]

I knew You would come on here and defend yourself because I think you are the best big bass hunter out there right now.What he does is beyond dedication it is a way of life.I also say to those naysayers go try it for a year and see what happens to you in all ways of life,you will not like it.Mike will also share his knowledge with anyone who will ask witch to me is fantastic because for years Crupi and others were very secrative about what where and how.
I have said enough about this so I am moving on....Castaic this weekend with my daughter.....
See you all there,
Ray L.

[Tom Leogrande]

My .02

I have only talked with Mike Long for a short time now, yet, I have a really good idea what he is all about! He is a super guy. He offers fishing advice freely to anyone, is great with kids, overall just great for our sport.

To back Mike up.. I continuoulsy get pictures from Mike for the magazine (Bass West USA), pictures of fish from 8 lbs to 19-2!!! I am sure I am not the only one getting these pictures from Mike. I am very appreciative of Mike sending these pictures to us, as people all over the world should get a chance to see these beautiful pigs he has the skills to catch. So when he sent these pictures out, he was just doing what he normally does, not looking for any recognition or fabulous write ups. He leaves that to the writers of the papers, magazines or whatever... Personally, I have one of these pictures in the magazine that is in Print right now.. with no mention of where he caught it. Its in a huddleston piece, but, obviously the SD Tribune writer saw this as an article he wanted to write. More power to him. I certainly hope to spotlight Mike's fishing adventures in a Magazine very soon, I am just looking for a new angle besides, Mike Long Catches Huge Fish, because guess what, the whole world knows that already!

Anyone think Mike is looking for more than just to share some great pictures of awesome fish is wrong. Mike is on one of our website front pages and gets nothing for it.. Never asked for anything and was glad we are using it. We use his pictures in our magazine all the time and he never gets a dime for it! So anyone think this is more than just another fish for Mike is nuts. Its discussions like this that someday are going to ruin it for whoever does catch the world record. If it isn't me, I hope its Mike. Since I can only catch 2 lbers I am betting it will be Mike!! Go gettem' Mike!

On top of all this, I read these posts about keeping Mission Viejo a secret???? Are you kidding me? I have only been around this sport for a few short years and from day 1 I heard the stories of this lake! Fact is, if you are a bass fisherman and live within a few hours of South Orange County then you pretty much already knew about its great fishing!

On a another note: I want no piece of fishing against either Grover on Diamond Valley.. Either Uribe or anyone else who has anything to do with Angler's Marine for that matter.. Every one of those guys (and Rachel Uribe too!) know the Diamond Valley Bass by name!

[mark poulson]

Here's a surprise! I have an opinion :O). I think what Mike does is Mike's business, and that he has accomplished too much to have to do anything "wrong".
Having said that, I rise to the defense of those who post here. With the possible exception of the guy who had a city named for his lover, Palmdale, I haven't found anyone I've met on this forum who hasn't been a standup, good person. I don't think anyone here would be calling anyone else out. I think it's more that none of us, that I know of, write for a living, so we probably don't say things as clearly in our posts as we think them in our heads. In my case, all it takes is a couple of bud lights to clarify my thinking, but it makes my typing stink.
Seriously, I don't believe anything in this string was posted as a knock on Mike Long. We just don't say things toooo good sometimes.
Mark

[Pete Marino]

[Guy Williams]

[JohNNy Utah]

You just keep doing what you do best. Controversy is and always will follow ANY great catch as I'm sure you're well aware of. All I can say is I wish I caught that thing. Way to go.

[Ron C]

...Congrats and keep up the good (and honest) work.

Good Fishing!

Ron C

[Kelly Ripa]

Ummm... Of course everyone realizes that this fish is still swimming after 70 pictures were shot....Not like the old days.....Some parts of this "sport" have come a long way. We all wish for a fish Mike catches and doesn't take pictures of !! I always figure the odds of me or anyone catching "THE" largest anything from a given body of water to be slim at best just because there to my way of thinking must be a bigger one if I drained the lake. Carry on Mike a brother I never met catch us a big one...
Rip