I just got back. I cant believe it.
I was fishing Lake Assunpink here in NJ, for the one hundredth time. This lake has been known to hold some lunkers, but I never have really gotten anything nice out of it. After a few hours with no action whatsoever, I was twitching a jig in some structure in about 8 feet of water, from a canoe. Felt some weight, then a throb throb, and WHAM hookset. It all happened so fast I can hardly remember it, but when she surfaced I, no joking, almost fainted. My friend lost it. He almost went hysteric. She didnt fight hardly at all, probaly still rather inactive with the cold water. I had her in the net before you could say jack robinson. I was sick with the thought that I might loose her.
Up she comes, and I have never felt so weak in the knees before. On a very trust spring scale she came in at 9lbs 14oz, just 12 oz off the state record. I didnt say a word the whole time, I was speachless. After she swam away I sat down for several minutes to gather myself. The first thing I said was a long loud heartfelt "YAAAAHOOOOW" that I reckon was heard clear from the pine barrens all the way to the deleware. I was still rather shakey, infact I got shaky just writing about it.
Took 4 pictures, and back she went. I'll give more of the fine details later, I'm already late for work! We also got a video of the release, wich I'll also have up.
Here are some of the pics!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g9/catfishguy/pbbass.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g9/catfishguy/pbbass.jpg
Gotta run! I hope the boss will understand!