I was fishin a tornament about 10 years ago on cherokee lake in east TN. I was a non boater fishin with a guy named joe cant remember his last name. We put in at marshall bridge ran to evergreen access area. Where he caught a large mouth about 3 #. I said to him as he noticed it also, man that fish has go a broken back. It was a crooked as a dogs hind leg and he replyed. Yep and look at his eyes. They were as red as as a cherry. And to top it off his lips were black like he had on lipstick and a large black spot on his side. This was an extreamly odd fish.
We fish the rest of the day and caught e few more fish we didnt smoke em but we didnt get smoked either. We returned to the marshall bridge and weighed in. All fish were released healthy.
Two or three days latter Im fun fishin in a hollow where oak grove ramp is located. Im fishin a 5" bluegill colored grub on a wide bite hook weightless around brush around a boat dock. I see my line jump and I set the hook. I liped this fish and couldnt beileve what I saw. A 3# largemouth with a broke back, red eyes, black lips and a black spot on his side. Hold my hand to JESUS if I liein may a tiger eat me feet first.
The fish was first caught between point 11 and 12 area. The fish was released between point 19 and 20 area. I caught the fish strait across from point 17. That is quite a distance. And where I caught him is roughly halfway between the the catch and release locations. You think that fish was a home body and knew how to get back? Makes you wonder!

