May 15, 2020 - Keeping Your Head in the Game

[senile1]

I went fishing at a lake an hour north of my home yesterday.  The lake was inundated with rain the day before, water levels were up, and the water was muddy.  I spent 2.5 hours seeking a bite with different techniques and lures to no avail, so I made a decision to move to one of my "spots" closer to the dam where the water was relatively clearer.  At this location there is a small shelf with trees and brush that extends about 10 feet from the bank and then drops into 25 feet of water.  After 30 minutes of casting a jig and craw, on one of my casts I felt a slight vibration and saw my line move ever so slightly.  I set the hook and the fish immediately came up and her front half came out of the water.  Oh boy . . . . big head and mouth.  This looks good.  At the same time the wind was turning one end of my tin boat, which was anchored, into some brush.  I was noticing the brush and didn't realize I made a beginner's mistake, reeling up way too close to the tip of my rod.  That's when the fish decided to jump again and then  . . . . bye bye.  She was gone.  I knew she had to be in the 5 lb plus range and was feeling somewhat sick and angry at myself for being so freaking stupid.  I sat down and pondered what had just happened, and where I had just hooked this fish - on the shelf with a stump and some laydowns laying near it.  I made mental notes and started casting to areas on the shelf that were similar.  Approximately 15 minutes later I made a pitch to similar cover and felt a similar bite.  I set the hook and the fight was on.  This one jumped early in the fight too so I knew I had another big one.  Eventually, she tired and I pulled her close to the boat and lipped her.  After a quick weigh and length measurement - 6lb 4 oz and 22 inches respectively - I took a pic and sent her on her way.  I sat and thought about the events that had just happened and was happy that I was able to get my mind back in the game after losing the first big fish.  I would have much rather had both big fish in the boat, but I wouldn't have had any big fish to talk about if I had let the first one drag me into negative thinking.

[RoLo]

Great story!

Your lake is well worth an hour drive,

she's pumping out big ole girls, smack in the middle of the country   

 

Roger

[roadwarrior]