Big-O Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 I just couldn't stay off the water with all those fish still in the mood ;D So I slipped back out for one more possible chance to bend a rod... and bend it they DID : On this particular morning, I found the fish extremely active at 14 ft. next to the deep drops into the river channels. If I located submerged brush or timber on major creek closely intersecting the river... it was "Fish On" and many of them were the larger models Mornings like this are few and when it happens, it seems I always lose my understanding of the time. That day in fact I looked at my watch thinking it was about 9am and it was already 1pm! I guess the old saying "Time flys when your having Fun" fit that situation I was flipping the Smokin Rooster again, except this time I switched from 25 fluoro to Suffix 50lb braid because I'd been breaking off so many fish on the previous trip. I also changed from 1/2 to 3/4oz tungsten to increase the fall rate in the deeper water. Most of the fish were on or near the bottom and the type of hits ranged from spongy to aggressive slams. The fact that the fish were in thick stuff meant that once the hook is set, the rod tip had to stay up and the pressure had to stay on full throttle until the fish was up and beside the boat thrashing... A big hott Fish on the surface, crashing the side of the boat is kind of exciting, if you know what I mean ;D One of the bad things about using braid is cutting or scarring the fish when the line scrapes across their sides etc. and you will see that result on the side of the second fish. I've rarely noticed a fresh scrape on the fish I catch using Mono or Fluoro... I know many of you are still in cold water or even ice situations and I hope that some of my early season posts and a cup of coffee might help to warm you up a bit Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 Unreal, Steve. Just unreal. Way to go! Quote
Super User bassfisherjk Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 I don't blame you one bit for wanting to get back out.Way to Go! Yes the posts and pictures do help somewhat,I can't wait to get out. My favorite lake still had 10 in. of ice on as of Monday. :'( Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 And the hits keep comin'! Beautiful fish! p.s. You have a variety of rigging instructions on the RageTail website, but would you describe exactly how you were rigged for these fish? Also, please give me a call when you have a minute. -Kent Quote
Big-O Posted March 4, 2011 Author Posted March 4, 2011 p.s. You have a variety of rigging instructions on the RageTail website, but would you describe exactly how you were rigged for these fish? -Kent 50lb suffix braid with a weight stop above and below a 3/4 oz tour grade tungsten flipping weight. Moaner 5/0 Stroker hook or Owner 5/0 offset roundbend. Hope that helps Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Super User senile1 Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 Big-O, you've been killing ém. Nice. I can't wait to get on the water but right now, I'm sitting here with coffee in hand, living vicariously through your accomplishments. Quote
Uncle Leo Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 In shorts yet. At least our edges are liquid, ice still on lakes but unsafe. Why am I not in Texas? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 p.s. You have a variety of rigging instructions on the RageTail website, but would you describe exactly how you were rigged for these fish? -Kent 50lb suffix braid with a weight stop above and below a 3/4 oz tour grade tungsten flipping weight. Moaner 5/0 Stroker hook or Owner 5/0 offset roundbend. Hope that helps Big O www.ragetail.com Great fish ! And thanks for passing on your rigging preferences and the reasons for them. As for your weight stoppers, what is the reason for the one below the weight - between the weight and the hook. Is it to keep the weight off the knot on the hook ? I use a small bead there with a hole large enough for the knot to fit inside of. Thanks in advance A-Jay Quote
Big-O Posted March 4, 2011 Author Posted March 4, 2011 Yes A Jay. I started using it that way when using fluro to protect the knot from wear. Then noticed it also kept the weight from pushing the bait down on the hook eye which improved the longevity of the bait. With some weights, the ID of the hole is larger and the stop wedges up inside which squeezes the stop tighter on the line holding it tighter in position. Haven't found any ill effects with it this far, all positive. Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 Yes A Jay. I started using it that way when using fluro to protect the knot from wear. Then noticed it also kept the weight from pushing the bait down on the hook eye which improved the longevity of the bait. With some weights, the ID of the hole is larger and the stop wedges up inside which squeezes the stop tighter on the line holding it tighter in position. Haven't found any ill effects with it this far, all positive. Big O www.ragetail.com Good to know - Thank you very much. A-Jay Quote
Fat-G Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 Wow Steve, amazing fish! Next time I go to Texas to visit my grandma I'm gonna need to hit you up. Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted March 5, 2011 Super User Posted March 5, 2011 Yes A Jay. I started using it that way when using fluro to protect the knot from wear. Then noticed it also kept the weight from pushing the bait down on the hook eye which improved the longevity of the bait. With some weights, the ID of the hole is larger and the stop wedges up inside which squeezes the stop tighter on the line holding it tighter in position. Haven't found any ill effects with it this far, all positive. Big O www.ragetail.com Thats pretty interesting, Steve. Just the idea of it helping to stop the weight from pushing down the plastic is pretty cool. Never thought about that before. I'll have to give that a try. It's the little things like this that can make all of the difference. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 5, 2011 Super User Posted March 5, 2011 It's the little things like this that can make all of the difference. Nah...Dude just gets lucky! : Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted March 5, 2011 Super User Posted March 5, 2011 Well, there is that also. ;D Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Wow ! Those are some really nice fish ! They are really thick / fat too ! To be honest, they look like Cali trout eaters Just curious, as it's so hard to tell from photos, about how many lbs would you guess these fish at ? Continued success to you Fish Quote
Fishmaster10 Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Two more beauties Big-O, keep em' coming Quote
Big-O Posted March 5, 2011 Author Posted March 5, 2011 Wow ! Those are some really nice fish ! They are really thick / fat too ! To be honest, they look like Cali trout eaters Just curious, as it's so hard to tell from photos, about how many lbs would you guess these fish at ? Continued success to you Fish Not sure Chris, I rarely ck unless it's pushing a pb or lake record. For sure over 10, and worth a pic and a smile... These are Texas Tilapia eaters and not sure if they'll ever measure up to the your West coast Monsters You've been pulling on some nice fish this Spring too Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Well they certainly look to be over 10 to me also Yea.... the Striped ones have been fun, but seeing pics like yours here, has me even more anxious to get after some green ones !!! Peace, Fish Quote
STL BassMan Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 Man, awesome fish. I can only dream of the day when I catch some hawgs like that. Better start flippin' some RageTails... Quote
Shane Procell Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 Thats just incredible that you are consistantly in the XXXL range Just incredible! Quote
WanderLust Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 Awesome fish... Thanks for the rigging tips as well! Quote
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