Jig-tastic!

[burleytog]

Wife and I had planned on going to Cherokee Lake yesterday, got up a little late and didn't feel like driving two hours.  So we hit Ft Patrick Henry Lake in Kingsport TN.

My first time on the lake.  Had a map and a little info.  Started fishing some rock walls with my favorite jig (Strike King 3/16 oz Bitsy Jig in black/blue) and a Tiny Paca Craw in sapphire blue.

Got a few light bites early, then nothing.  Started fishing a sandy rocky bank.  Getting a bite here or there, too slow on the set.

Finally I stuck one.  And it was a pig...would not come off the bottom.  Tearing drag and I'm thinking I've got the state record in something.

After a good 5 minute fight, I finally get my first look at the fish.

Yep, a carp on a jig.   ;D

Right at 9 lbs.

Fished 4 more hours, got a few light bites but nothing hooked.  Ended up seeing A TON of carp on the banks.  Had I some corn, stale bread, or shredded wheat, I could have caught a bunch.

I was, however, as happy as a pig in...well, you get the picture.  

[Jimzee]

Man that's crazy.  I would have been thinking...Double Digit Bass,  Double Digit Bass!!! ;D ;D ;D

[burleytog]

Believe me, I was.  I felt that light tap and gave it a good hook set and then all hell broke loose.  I didn't know what it was, but it was fighting like crazy and that it was a big fish.

Boat traffic was somewhat heavy yesterday and the clay and sandy banks were staying pretty stirred up because of the wakes.  Guess everything was in feeding mode.

On another strange note, I was helping a guy load his boat and he said he had caught a 14 lb. catfish on a crankbait.  That's another I don't understand! moment, eh?   ;D

[pondhopper]

Wow! Bet ya can't do that again!

[T-rig]

That's cool! A friend of mine caught a 36lb. carp also on a jig. I took him almost 45 min. to land it!

[Cravin]

After a big fight like that you cant be too upset that it wasn't a bass, At times I'll take any bite.

[BadKarma42]

cool

[Bassassasin12]

thats awesome yet really strange

[Guest avid]

Biggest freshwater fish I ever caught was a 22 pound carp.

I caught it on a crappie jig and 4lb test line.

It was just like you said.  It wouldn't budge.

But then it started swimming off.  Nothing frantic mind you.  More like tying to line to the bumber of slow moving truck.

It took me over twenty minutes and about 1/2 mile to land it.

[Davefromwarwick]

lol thats great... who woulda though, well anyway good fish.

[Lightninrod]

I see them once in a while and have wished I could get one to bite my Bass bait but never have been able to :-?.

Ya done good Burley!

Dan

[norm2525]

Wow... I know that is fun. I had the same thing happen to me a few years back in a little club tourney.  I caught an 11lber on a jig and six lb test.  I should have kept it, would have won the trash fish pot.