Chris Zaldain is showing three keepers for about 10 pounds in BassTrakk.
I think it’s more by maybe 1-pound or more.
It could be showing a limit for about 15-pounds. But Zaldain isn’t taking chances this morning. Or is he?
He’s caught two 2 1/2-pound class fish that were clearly nice fish. But in each instance he’s opted to toss them back.
One, he knows they won’t get him to the 20-pound plus mark he needs to get to by days end.
Two, smallmouth can often be a little sensitive to the livewell. You can’t cull a deceased fish. And even though there have been very few of those the last two days (something like three of the 347 weighed) Zaldain isn’t taking even the slightest chance.
Or maybe he just doesn’t want to chase them down in the well when it comes time to cull.