Super User 00 mod Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 At the Lake Wilson Road Trip on the very first day,(Wednesday 4-30) I was fishing in the tailraces with an Alabama Bass Guide (Ryan Salzman). We were deep cranking (16-20ft) cranks and catching plenty of fish. Combo of white bass, drum, and gar all while looking for the elusive smallmouth. On one cast, I set the hook and my line took off. And when I say it took off, it was flying. Trolling motor on high and the current to our backs we weren't even making headway. When the spool was about empty, we jumped on the big motor to run it down. 3/4 of a mile down the river we still haven't seen it. I am thinking big stripe. Maybe flathead, but there wasn't a roll to be seen. Finally we see it, and it's HUGE. But not a flathead. And not a stripe. But a GIANT Paddlefish. Also known as Spoonbill. After a lengthy battle, we get its bill in the net, and then attempt to tail rope it. Then came getting it in the boat. We do so quickly, take a few pics, get it back in the water and start Googling Alabama DNR and state record. Turns out the state record is 52lbs 12oz. This one was WAY over that. Then we get the DNR guy on the phone and he tells us it is a protected species, to snap a pic and get a measurement and get her release back quickly. So that we did. She was longer than I am tall. And from lifting her, Gene, the guide and myself know she was WAY over 53lbs. Official measurement is 67 3/4''. Which is almost 5' 8'' long. ***Shameless Plugs*** Caught on a Supertuned Curado 200e5 with carbontex drags by DVT St. Croix AVC70mhm Bomber BD8F citrus shad Seaguar Tatsu 10lb Fishing with Ryan Salzman- Alabama Bass Guide 12 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 Well all I can say is in the second picture the fish on the right is the most pretty. Congrats on a paddle fish of your lifetime. Pretty cool accomplishment. 3 Quote
Brian Needham Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 shattered indeed!!!! I couldn't even imagine! 2 Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 BIG fish......TINY guy 1 Quote
Brian Needham Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 fat fish with a little guy....... (sung in your best chris Farley voice) 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 Nice Job Jeff ~ Neat fish & Cool Picture. A-Jay 1 Quote
Missourifishin Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 Nice!!! Was the bait actually in its mouth, or did you snag it? 1 Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted May 2, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 2, 2014 Nice!!! Was the bait actually in its mouth, or did you snag it? Hooked in side. They are plankton eaters. Would have to be 1 in a trillion chance to hook em in the mouth. Jeff Quote
Brian Needham Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 Hooked in side. They are plankton eaters. Would have to be 1 in a trillion chance to hook em in the mouth. Jeff so you are saying THERE'S A CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO 2 Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 Wow, you pulled that thing in on 10lb Tatsu?? Mind = blown! 4 Quote
georgeyew Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 Wow, you pulled that thing in on 10lb Tatsu?? Mind = blown! I know!! That is pretty impressive. It speaks to the strength of the line too. 2 Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 Congrats Jeff! What an accomplishment! 1 Quote
Brian Needham Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 I am still amazed, nothing better than watching good friends catch something HUGE and true Tatsu = awesomeness.someone must have tied a pretty good blood knot to the backing... 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 I am still amazed, nothing better than watching good friends catch something HUGE and true Tatsu = awesomeness. someone must have tied a pretty good blood knot to the backing... X2 ~ And I have to mention - any time someone mentions using a Tail Rope while bass fishing, it gets my attention . . . . A-Jay 2 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 X2 ~ And I have to mention - any time someone mentions using a Tail Rope while bass fishing, it gets my attention . . . . A-Jay Was probably like watching an episode of Wicked Tuna 2 Quote
Christian M Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 Congrats!! I cant imagine how much adrenaline was pumping as you got the first glimpse of that monster!! 1 Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 nice catch, so are you actually trying to get credit for a state record? or just happy with your catch and knowing it could be the state record? 1 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 I know!! That is pretty impressive. It speaks to the strength of the line too. It speaks to how good he is at landing fish and understanding the principal of drag, he could have landed the fish with any brand line. 2 Quote
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