That bass should be in the low 2's.
Maybe so............small mouth.
16.5 body , fat.
Ok low 2's
We gonna go thru it again aint we.
Settle down, Cochise.
The bass looks great for it's age. I'm guessing that bass is somewhere between 2 - 2.5 lbs. I didn't see where you pegged a proposed weight in your initial post as you you didn't weigh it. If you think it's closer to three pounds, outstanding!!
I use a Berkley scale with a large hook, and you put the hook through the gap between the jaw and the first gil. No damage, most always.