Great week and fish of a lifetime!!

No Excuses · June 17, 2019, 08:12:22 AM

It all started last Sunday afternoon. My wife was preparing for her message for Sunday night and I needed to get the boys (11 and 17) out of the house so she could have some peace and quiet. So we decided to make a quick trip to the lake before time for church. Long story short, Jack-man got his pb, a nice 2.36 lb chunk that he caught on a shaky head working a brushpile all by himself. Fast forward to the Thursday Night Tournament and I caught a really nice slot fish that was 20 3/4" and just shy of 5lbs, and 3 good ones just under 18. I was having line issues with some 12lb Berkley Vanish, that has since vanished into the trash. Broke off 3 BIG ones. It wasn't enough to get in the money because one team showed out with 20lbs even!

Friday brings a half day at work and after running to the next town down the road and buying a couple boxes of Seaguar Red Label, we headed back to the lake. My wife and Jack have been fishing our pond out of Kayaks and she has gotten to like spinning reels. She wanted to take his Lews ultralight combo, but I talked her into one of my full size Lews on a 7' MH CherrywoodHD. It has 20lb Power Pro with an 8lb flouro leader. Well, about an hour in she hung it in a top and broke the leader. I opted to just tie straight onto the braid since we were fishing 12-15' deep and the water was a little stained. That wound up being a very good idea. About 20 minutes into the next stop, she tied into one. When it came to the top about 30' out, I like to have lost my mess... I was clamboring around trying to get the net and coach her at he same time. She finally got her alongside the boat, and I whiffed.... Half in the net and dumped her back out.... I was tore up ya'll!!!! The fish found new life then and ran straight down stripping line off. She got it back up and it headed for the motor. I guess all those fishing shows I watch paid off cause she worked it right around the back like a pro! She got her back to the top right beside the wheel and I made good on the second attempt. She wound up being 23 1/4" long and the MLF scales were bouncing between 9.98 and 10.02 and I didnt want to just keep her hanging that long so we called it 10 even. Took her a little bit to decide but she finally said if she got it mounted, all she would be able to think was she killed it and didn't even get to eat it. So we took some measurements and released her to be caught again.

I took dad up there yesterday and caught another 20 3/4" 4 something, and he caught one a little smaller. But I lost another giant. Played her for a good bit while dad was trying to get down off the back and get in position with the net. About 5' out from the boat the hook just popped out of her mouth... I was sick. It was better than 8 at least. Blessed to have a family that loves the great outdoors! Probably will be back there weather permitting after work today! Strike while the iron is hot!!!

zippyduck · June 17, 2019, 08:19:31 AM

Sweet Everyone was getting big fish.

Congrats Momma and Jack!!!!!!!

Mike Cork · June 17, 2019, 08:22:25 AM

Man what a trip, I sure could have used something like this, even without the ten pounder...

FYI you can get a fiberglass replica cheaper than a skin mount these days

Do some shopping around, all they need is measurements, some will use a photo, and you can surprise her

Lee Smith · June 17, 2019, 08:28:34 AM

Heck of a weekend and GREAT CATCH!

Capt. BassinLou · June 17, 2019, 08:45:33 AM

Wow!! Wtg!! Congrats!!

SteveTX · June 17, 2019, 12:02:39 PM

Great day indeed.

I hear those fiberglass mounts these days are really lifelike. I think that was a great choice to let those genetics have a chance to spread.

Stren_g · June 17, 2019, 04:53:00 PM

Looks like a nice trip, congrats on the catching!

Donald Garner · June 17, 2019, 05:19:01 PM

Congrats on the catching there

Wow that was a fishing trip of a life time there everyone was whacking them

Tks for sharing the pictures with us also

coldfront · June 22, 2019, 06:20:13 PM

Quote from: No Excuses on June 17, 2019, 08:12:22 AMTook her a little bit to decide but she finally said if she got it mounted, all she would be able to think was she killed it and didn't even get to eat it. So we took some measurements and released her to be caught again.

dirty little secret #1: photos, measurements and you can still filet them and eat them!

dirty little secret #2: lots more fun/enjoyable to hold them in the water while they recover and then swim off.

caddyjoe77 · June 22, 2019, 08:50:45 PM

thats awesome!! Congrats. I have a feeling your big bass is waiting for you....