Identify this FISH!!! (42 yrs of fishing and I am stumped)

[Harold Ewing II]

I was fishing for bluegills at my favorite private lake.  I had recently spent some time with the owner and got to know the man and he was a good ole boy , like to laugh and drink  and like my self, tell stories.  I learn a lot about the lake and its management and why I am finding so many very large blue gills.  He is introducing breeds and hybrids and some change sex afterlaying eggs and guarge the nest and get very big.  Suffice to say the follwing lecture was long but informative and learning the "geography" of the lake including the fact it was at the top of the local water table, explaining its cleanliness and overall properly woring ecosystem.

 

OK, what Kind of fish is this????? (caught with a zebco 733, graphite Shakespeare 66 inch and 20 ld line) and yeah I dont want to believe that myself but I can play and tire them with the best(Isnt that the sport defined) NOW TELL ME WHAT I CAUGHT PLS!!!

[Jacob Hill]

I also believe that its a gigantic sheepshead. It appears to be one but the pictures are really small.

[Jim Gronaw]

When I tried to click and enlarge on the photos they came up very small. On every photo your hand is covering the top fin of the fish, which, if clearly seen, would go a long way in the ID of the fish. It is likely a buff of some kind...way to big, I think, to be a freshwater drum or sheepshead.

Huge fish...what did you catch it on?

[Harold Ewing II]

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES!!  a Buffalo, huh, a type of carp, well learn somethin every day.  Never caught one.  Good to eat...cool.  Lot of meat and many nice blugills were caught that day as well.  Any additional onfo on the fish is welcome.

Harold

[jim cosgrove]

i also believe a type of buffalo.a native carp i believe and also heard they are good eating if prepared right.you could have quite a meal with that one

[Vince Fusco]

 As close as I can tell from the pic it looks like a small mouth buffalo. There are several kinds though, quill back, big mouth, small mouth, blue, brown, just to name a few. I believe they are kin to a carp, but don't quote me on this. I have had them smoked and they are real good. The flesh is whiter than a carps, not as bloody.