I Don't Like Stories With An Unhappy Ending

[roadwarrior]

...On a positive note, Rage Tail Baby Craws rock!

I had some work done on a Stella 1000FA. It's saddled to an Avid AVC66MLF.

This is a fun rod for white bass, stocker trout and crappie. It's too hot to fish

most of the day, so I went out early yesterday, mostly to fish my "new" rig.

Started out with a very sporty 3-4 lb fish. Not long after, another a little bigger,

but not as spry. I retied after each fish, spooled up with Hybrid #4. Same bait,

the Baby Craw was fine.

I fish this pond a lot and know a few spots that almost always hold fish, sometimes

a good'un and other times a bigg'un. As I approach my favorite culvert, I positioned

myself for the perfect "first cast". The target is a rocky ridge extend out into the

pond and I want to be on the far side.

Made the cast and lit a smoke, the Baby Craw just resting for a few minutes in the rocks.

Moved the Baby to the crest and without a twitch, watched the line move out.

Reeled down for a Bill Dance hook-set, but it's a little weak with the drag set almost

off!

The fat girl didn't know she was hooked at first, but that changed...

The first jump was heart pounding, the second was simply a work of art in the

morning light. In open water, I was confident I would win the battle, but not

quickly. The issue with light weight gear is patience, but the downside is control.

This young lady didn't grow big and fat by being stupid. After a minute or two in

deep water, she made a sprint to the safety of the culvert. My drag may have been

set "properly", but it was totally ineffective. I could not turn her.

That's about it...my line was cut cleanly, not broken. Deep breath...I decided to

go home. I hate leaving a hook in my pet bass. I promise to use appropriate gear

from now on. I hope to hold her again soon.

:-[

[Uncle Leo]

Nothing wrong with a little cardio first thing in the morning, Kent.

[CJ]

$H!T happens bud. My condolences go out to you for your loss.

She'll be alright and you two will dance another day.

[Big-O]

No unhappy ending here, that Big Girl is ELATED, Now you get to go back and settle the score....Great Story RW

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[5bass]

Once I read where you had lit a stogie, I knew it was on!  ;D 

[Dan:]

there's only so far she can go, right?

[roadwarrior]

It's a nine acre pond with lots of 4 1/2-6 lb bass.

Some of the bigger bass might reach 8 lbs this year

or next. (They all look to be 8 if you don't weigh them!)

This fish looked like the Woo-Daddy, but maybe I'll get a

chance to take a pic and weigh her. Then you can judge

it for yourself.

8-)

[Fat-G]

It's a nine acre pond with lots of 4 1/2-6 lb bass.

Some of the bigger bass might reach 8 lbs this year

or next. (They all look to be 8 if you don't weigh them!)

This fish looked like the Woo-Daddy, but maybe I'll get a

chance to take a pic and weigh her. Then you can judge

it for yourself.

8-)

Sounds like an awesome place Kent. Gotta love the small ponds with big, healthy fish.

[Dwight Hottle]

Hey Kent,  at least you know where she lives.

[DRhodes]

You will get her again. Nothing like fighting a hawg on an ultra lgiht pole.

[Jigfishn10]

It is what it is RW. You go to a gun fight with a knife and sometimes you lose. Get up the next morning and bite the dog that bit ya.

[Big Tom]

Ain't you settled the score with this thing yet?

What are you waiting on?