a pretty big bass on some pretty small string.

[paul.]

well, as of a little while ago, i can mark another lifetime bassin' goal off my list.  this is something that i've wanted to do for a while, but i wanted to make sure the timing was right so as not to possibly injure a big fish.  i've tired it a few times previous to today and caught some decent fish, just not the one i was looking for.  after a break from work this morning, i headed out to a little lake armed with my one of my favorite soft plastics, and one of my trusty spinning rods strung with 4 POUND TEST and NO LEADER.   the conditions told me it might be a pretty good day to catch a biggun.  everything seemed right.  i went to one of my favorite areas, and after hauling water for a little while, i finally saw the line twitch and take off.   tightened down on her and sunk the hook.  didn't take long to figure out i had a real contender on and i was ever so careful to do things just right so as not to snap the thin wisp of line between me and the fish.  fortunately, i managed not to screw it up and quickly got this picture after bringing her in.  perhaps i cheated a little bit by waiting so late in the year when the water was cool and the fish wouldn't be quite so lively once i stuck her.  but like i said, this was intentional so as not to risk over-stressing the fish by having to thoroughly play it out in warm water.  that's the same reason that i got such a quick pic rather than taking the time to pose.  i wanted to get the fish back in asap after having to play it on the light line.  so y'all will just have to try to believe me when i say she was over 8. 8-)  how do i know?  simple.  she was over 8 last time i caught her and it didn't look like she'd been on a diet.   as a matter of fact, if you look closely, you can even see the spot i stuck her last time.   chalk up another great moment thanks to catch and release.  so yeah, i'm pretty happy right now after catching my pb light line bass.  sorry i couldn't show y'all a better pic, but i gotta try to take care of these big fish.  hope y'all are catchin' some too.

[roadwarrior]

                         EXCELLENT!

[Fat-G]

Nice fish! What plastic was it?

[senile1]

Paul, that must have been very exciting using 4 lb test!  Congratulations!

[rondef]

WTG Paul, that is one nice hawg you got there.

[paul.]

Nice fish! What plastic was it?

3.5" strike king coffee tube. a tube is such a cool bait. although a tube is great right out of the package, there are a bunch of different ways to customize them, a bunch of different ways to rig them, and a bunch of different ways to fish them. the combinations are almost endless if you put your mind to it.

[b.Lee]

Nice fish!!!!!! Must have been pretty rewarding to think you brought that in one some floss.

[Paul Roberts]

Very cool. Congrats on another accomplishment!

I once decided to do something similar, with big trout. I used 1lb Trilene XT (rated for IGFA at 1kg) on a 6ft spinning rod built on a 3wt fly-rod blank, and caught a 9# 'bow. I had to bow to her each time she leapt -learned that one early on lol. It took 10 minutes to net her -on a watch. She was darn tuckered, and I decided not to do it again. Fish actually fight best on scaled tackle anyways.

Was your tube fished weightless?

[paul.]

yes i fished this one weightless due to time constraints.  but one thing i usually like to do is insert a tiny split shot for weight and a jig rattle for noise.  i seal them in the bait by plugging the hole with another piece of soft plastic from another bait.

[-nick-]

You know you catch a BUNCH of big bass when you have categories for your PBs. "PB light line bass" Great job on the catch and thanks for sharing!

[A-Jay]

Nice Catch and release. Clearly quite a bit of fore thought went into that whole event.

BTW that hook looks pretty puny in such a huge yap !

A-Jay

[steezy]

Thats a great fish Paul, I feel pathetic only catching a 3# this morning.  You are an awesome angler.  I would love to fish with you sometime.

[paul.]

thanks y'all.  very kind as always.  nothing special about my fishing other than some of the places i go.

hope y'all have a good thanksgiving.

[D4u2s0t]

great fish!  I'm not too likely to get an 8# fish in my area.  Hope to one day travel and get some "Big" ones... 4#'s is brag worthy around here lol

[Big-O]

Good'un Paul and that circle hook appears to be the real deal in alot of applications......Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too

www.ragetail.com

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

Heck of job! Congrats on the PB!

[L a r r y]

Paul,

CONGRATS on your pb on light line.  It is always a pleasure to see you catch these big fish time after time.  I wish I had the knowledge you do when it comes to chasing the big ones

[BassinSoldier]

Paul, you make me sick...   All kidding aside, nice fish!  You didn't have the jitters at all whe that battle was over, I'm sure. lol!

[Thai]

Congrats on a great fish and awesome PB on 4# test!

[clipper]

Landing a fish over 8 lbs on 4 lb test is a real accomplishment that takes skill and doing everything right. Congratulations. My best on 4 lb so far is 4 - 12 and my next goal is to break 5 lbs.

[Simp]

Paul can we have the 2011 Roadtrip at your place? ;D

[Rebel Angler]

nice fish my man!

like that style of riggin that tube too