kinda hard to tell if 17 or 18 inches. if 17" 100% Wr is 2.7 lbs if it is 18" 3.2 lbs so 3.5 is excellent. If you have lots of 10-12 inch bass you would expect those over the hump to be healthy. Your on your way my friend to growing some big 'uns. Did he go back, if not send us the otolith and we will age him for you. I know you were taking notes when matt showed folks how to do that. Hopefully though he went back. His mouth looks small that is a good sign!