Biggest Fish Of My Life - King Salmon Edition

[UPSmallie]

Wow.  Craziness.  I had been wanting to try a creek again that receives literally between 16,000 and 250,000 king salmon plants each year.  I'd tried a few weeks ago and had hooked one but it had popped off.  The spoons I had been using where slightly too big though.  After classes yesterday I stopped by Walmart and was surprised to find that they had a 2/5 oz firetiger glow Little Cleo.  Pricey, but probably still worth it.  Picked it up, rigged up my gear, and drove the 45 minutes out to the creek.  Just like the last time, hundreds of King Salmon could be seen porpoising up the creek.  Anywhere from 3-25 lbs.  They wouldn't hit spoons or spawn though.  The sun finally set and that seemed to trigger some of the bigger salmon.  Some big tanks started splashing right around the area I had been frequently casting to.  I tied on the glow Little Cleo and charged it with my headlamp.  Pitched it to the other side of the creek mouth and began working it back.  About the 5th cast and my rod started ripping extremely hard!  I could barely set the hook when the giant fish tore off literally 200 yards down the side of the Lake shoreline.  I tightened up my drag a bit and it seemed to help.  I gained more control, or so I thought.  The fish kept screaming drag and took off like a freight train in multiple directions.  I had to tighten the drag just a little more.  At last I had it perfectly dialed in and the fish was tiring.  Thankfully, a man offered to help net the fish and I gladly agreed.  After several unsuccessful attempts, the man was finally able to lunge the net under the massive fish.  I thanked him and was grateful my 15 lb fluoro had held.  The male King weighed 18.43 lbs and measured 36 inches.  I'm still kind of shocked about it.  Hard to believe and crazier to experience.  Fish On.

 

[A-Jay]

Sweeeet !  

That's a Beast . . . .   

Sounds like that fight will be hard to forget.

Congrats

A-Jay

[Ronnie Daniels]

Awesome!

[UPSmallie]

Thanks guys!  Probably the most memorable catch I've ever had.  

[Turkey sandwich]

Congrats!  That is a monster!  I have a trip planned to chase them next summer in Alaska and this just got me super excited.  

[UPSmallie]

Haha thanks man!!  It was the craziest experience.  Never have felt 'fished out' till now.  Riding this one out for a bit and putting more focus on studies.  Probably back at it within a week though lol

[Further North]

Salmon will get your attention, congrats!

[slonezp]

Fun to catch. They hit the lures like a Mack truck and peel line like crazy. Congrats

[12poundbass]

Congrats, that's an awesome fish! 

[UPSmallie]

Thanks guys!  Definitely felt like a freight train 

[soflabasser]

Congratulations on a nice salmon.

[Oregon Native]

Brought back memories of fishing for them in Oregon......have gotten wet many times chasing them down rivers.

Congrats...

[J Francho]

Nice mud shark!  Kings are a blast.

[UPSmallie]

Thanks guys!  Fishing for kings is a lot of fun, but definitely not easy.  I've gone back two other times and have only lost hooked fish.  Looks like the run has all but ended, so will hopefully start putting in some time for steelies.

[J Francho]

Young kings were in the bay yesterday, jumping all over the place.  I'm fishing docks, and there's 30" kings launching out of the water right next to me.  Happens every fall, but it's still a sight.