Meanest bass on the planet?

<p>The Elite Series Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite is over but the scars of that event may live on for quite some time. Take for instance, Randy Howell, who finished 11th<font size=

The Elite Series Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite is over but the scars of that event may live on for quite some time. Take for instance, Randy Howell, who finished 11th in the event; notice the taped fingers on both hands. Thatâs not some new-fangled fishing trick. Those are there to protect his fingers from what one angler described as âthe meanest fish on the planet.â

<p>Howell wasnât alone when it came to tearing up his fingers catching the mighty Coosa River spotted bass. Michael Iaconelli suffered similar injuries as did several of the anglers after constantly lipping the spotted bass that just seemed to keep fighting.</p>

Howell wasnât alone when it came to tearing up his fingers catching the mighty Coosa River spotted bass. Michael Iaconelli suffered similar injuries as did several of the anglers after constantly lipping the spotted bass that just seemed to keep fighting.

<p>You might take that tight-lipped smug of Aaron Martens as a look of chagrin, but itâs actually Martensâ look as he once again fights to get a handle on a toothy spot at the weigh-in.</p>

You might take that tight-lipped smug of Aaron Martens as a look of chagrin, but itâs actually Martensâ look as he once again fights to get a handle on a toothy spot at the weigh-in.

The same grimace could be seen on Alton Jones’ face as he wrestled yet again with one of the fighters.

Boyd Duckett was no different.

His face leaves little doubt that lipping these bass was no pleasant process.

Brent Chapman seems to be looking into a bag of razors and deciding âjust where can I put my fingers?â

While David Walker had a fantastic finish, you couldnât tell it by the look on his face while trying to handle one of these fish.

That could be an âouchâ coming from his lips. Only he knows, but itâs obvious something doesnât feel real good.

Edwin Evers won the event. But catching fish out of the bag with scarred hands seems difficult for the champion.

Every winner has to hold up his winning fish, but Evers may be questioning if itâs worth it.

He finally gets his hands on one, but not without a price.

Jason Williamson is known as the âTower of Powerâ but the football-sized, toothy spotted bass appear to be cutting him down to size.

Hometown angler Keith Poche had his struggles on the water and the weigh-in stand.

Even the veteran fingers of Paul Elias were no match for the spots.

Elias was one of those anglers who caught dozens and dozens of these fish.

But by the end of the week, the real struggle was just getting them out of the bag.

Elias has to go deep and spend a little time working on it.

And, at times, it appeared as if he was in real trouble.

Howellâs grimace was real, even with tape on the fingers.

The last time his face looked like that he had swallowed a dose of castor oil.

Itâs obvious these fish provide a little extra when it comes to biting.

You would think he had just found something disgusting hiding in the bag.

But that is a fish. Not so disgusting; just plain old mean.

Skeet Reese seems to be enjoying the process, even if it looks like heâs just responded to âI dare you to put your hand in there.â

You can almost see the tears in Terry Scrogginsâ eyes as he goes for a second one.