Last year, January of 2019, I was out blackfishing with some friends and someone on the boat caught a nice fish. A very pudgy healthy female that had a weight pushing 15 lbs. The fish had obvious signs it was a resident and not a migrator because of its body shape. Caught on a jig tipped with a white legger. Couple pictures weight taken and released. Had it’s bulged out but it wasn’t popped and fish swam away happy. We always wondered if fish released with their red blob sticking out still survived.

Fast forward a little over a year. On this past Tuesday, about a year and 3 months later, I was on the same wreck with a different buddy. We were picking away and I hooked up a nice fish. Got it in a beautiful fat healthy female that had a weight pushing 16 lbs. Also caught on a jig with white legger. Same thing took some pics weighed a couple times and sent her on her way. Swam right down. When I saw the fish, my first thought was it was the same fish. Same body type, definite resident, and same wreck. My buddy didn’t believe me, said there’s no way it’s the same fish. Well I have proof.

Attached are pictures of the fish from when the other guy caught it January of 2019 and mine from Tuesday. Upon further examination, the fish has the same markings on the bottom of the head and the chin. Those dots are like a black fishes fingerprint. Furthermore, when he caught the fish it had a cut but the tail. When I caught it, the fish had a scar in the same spot. Can be seen in the pics if you know where to look. I think it’s incredible to be able to catch the same fish twice especially this size. Grew about a lb in a little over a year and released again to spawn again. Even more gratifying for me is knowing that these fish are tough and do survive being revived and let go. Amazing. Just an interesting story thought others would find cool. Check out the pictures and see for yourselves.

THIS IS WHY BIG HEALTHY FISH SHOULD BE LET GO!