I have been fishing every day since my last post and I can count the number of times I have been skunked on one hand. But yesterday 26th was a banner day, I woke up early and fished long pond The first three hours were tough I kept missing fish on my fairly new St Croix legend tournament rod. I felt like I was doing something wrong or the rod wasn't doing something right. I kept feeling the bite and then trying to set the hook too soon or too late. In hindsight I think it may have been a bunch of small fish. I think this because I did hook one fish on a new weedless hook which didn't really set. The real reason I know that the rod works fine is that I went to the north end to go after a big fish I missed last year. I remember it was around the beginning of July
(wavy flash back lines) Krystal and I are on the canoe, we paddle into the thick lily pads in search of turtles having been skunked all morning. as we pull into the first open area I can see a wave. Krystal looks up and says "do you see that?" Its a big bass in shallow water and its on its side trying to be overlooked. But we both see it and its BIG! In a panic I try to get a hook in the water but no luck the fish has seen us and wants nothing to do with hooks right now. we sadly watch as she pushes her way through the weeds. (Back to Present)
I was in the same spot under the same conditions but instead of going into the open shallow water I stayed in the weeds and lobbed a senko into the hole. I don't think it even hit the bottom the fish nailed it immediately. she then pulled side to side across the hole and pulled me in to the open water. It was this moment that she clearly realized what was happening. she reared up and shook violently trying to dislodge the hook that was deeply embedded in her jaw. no such luck but I began to get the nervous feeling like when you might be outclassed on your line. I did my best and after a few more runs and a big splash of water on me I landed the fish. I think I was muttering out loud because I heard one of the people on the shore say " that's a big fish, but who is he talking to?" well any way I got these pics and I hope you can see just how big it really is. 4# 8oz priceless.
