Uncle Bruce is the "Feeshin' Man". On a recent trip out to the lake, he had a day for the record books! This is why, when the weather gets bad, ya jes' gotta wet a line. This is his email:
Here is results and latest Story from last Friday. I had just finished getting things ready for Youth Hunt on Friday night and was lamenting the fact that summer fishing was all but over. The forecast was for high winds Friday but at 10:00am all was calm(west @ 5mph). I decided what the heck, might as well give the fishing one last go. I raced home,grabbed yak, and headed for the lake.
By the time I got there the wind was starting to blow(whitecaps). I debated just bagging it and heading home. After all I had just had a great summer of fish catching and a couple of really nice fish in October to keep me fired up about spring. Then I thought, "what the heck, what's the worst that could happen ?...........after all I do have a life jacket". I put it on while the whitecaps started appearing not just out in the lake but right in front of me in the cove. I piled in and started paddling like a mad man for the far side of the lake(the lee side) and protection from the waves. It took about 15 minutes to clear the breakers and reach somewhat calm water. Waves broke over the Yak the entire way and I'm drenched, but not particulary cold.
Time to fish. I start trolling two deep diving shad andthe Lowrance is showing me lots of rocks at 10-15 ft. First pass results in a good bump but no battles. I keep working the rocks in 12-15ft. and get spun around and towed out into the whitecaps. The battle is on and I'm getting amazed. Half my rod is under water and big waves are breaking all over me. After what seems like forever I get some line back and the fish decides to surface. Holey Moses its a giant bass! He immediately sounds and takes all the line back. I'm now in the middle of the lake and every wave is breaking over me. Finally I'm gaing ground again..........but I have a new problem. The shore is approaching very quickly and the fish isn't finished. Every time I get him close he sees the yak and freaks out and burns back to the bottom. Finally I'm so close to the rocks he can't get very deep and I'm able to grab a jaw and snap a quick photo, splash him back into the water and grab the paddle in the nick of time.Paddle back across lake to relative shelter and take stock. Fish is probably just shy of the one I caught in Florida asa kid but way bigger than anything else. Best guess somewhere between 9 and 10lbs. What a day! I start trolling again and immediately hook up to a 5 pounder that gives me a great aerial show. I don't even snap a picture, just laugh and keep fishing, immediately hooking and landing a smaller bass.
I look up and realize things are deteriorating. A bass boat comes crashing down the lake and slows to make sure I'm OK. I wave and realize it really is time to punt.................
By the time I got there the wind was starting to blow(whitecaps). I debated just bagging it and heading home. After all I had just had a great summer of fish catching and a couple of really nice fish in October to keep me fired up about spring. Then I thought, "what the heck, what's the worst that could happen ?...........after all I do have a life jacket". I put it on while the whitecaps started appearing not just out in the lake but right in front of me in the cove. I piled in and started paddling like a mad man for the far side of the lake(the lee side) and protection from the waves. It took about 15 minutes to clear the breakers and reach somewhat calm water. Waves broke over the Yak the entire way and I'm drenched, but not particulary cold.
Time to fish. I start trolling two deep diving shad andthe Lowrance is showing me lots of rocks at 10-15 ft. First pass results in a good bump but no battles. I keep working the rocks in 12-15ft. and get spun around and towed out into the whitecaps. The battle is on and I'm getting amazed. Half my rod is under water and big waves are breaking all over me. After what seems like forever I get some line back and the fish decides to surface. Holey Moses its a giant bass! He immediately sounds and takes all the line back. I'm now in the middle of the lake and every wave is breaking over me. Finally I'm gaing ground again..........but I have a new problem. The shore is approaching very quickly and the fish isn't finished. Every time I get him close he sees the yak and freaks out and burns back to the bottom. Finally I'm so close to the rocks he can't get very deep and I'm able to grab a jaw and snap a quick photo, splash him back into the water and grab the paddle in the nick of time.Paddle back across lake to relative shelter and take stock. Fish is probably just shy of the one I caught in Florida asa kid but way bigger than anything else. Best guess somewhere between 9 and 10lbs. What a day! I start trolling again and immediately hook up to a 5 pounder that gives me a great aerial show. I don't even snap a picture, just laugh and keep fishing, immediately hooking and landing a smaller bass.
I look up and realize things are deteriorating. A bass boat comes crashing down the lake and slows to make sure I'm OK. I wave and realize it really is time to punt.................
Wind has turned into a full gale and I'm a pretty good distance (@ a mile and across the lake from the truck). Seeing the big Bass boat run for cover gets my attention. Reluctantly I reel in the lure still trailing me and head for for the truck. The bail pops open on the spinner and the crank bait plops back in the water. It must be a sign. I let about fifty yards play out, close the bail and set myself for the task at hand. I take a quick glance at the lowrance and I'm in 25ft of water. I keep paddling and all of a sudden I'm hung. I re-check the lowrance(29ft.) and pick the rod up, leaving the safety tether attached. The entire rod goes completely under, only my hands and the reel are above the water..................no I am not hung on the bottom..............its a submarine !!!!!!!! I just thought things were exciting earlier. I start laughing again as I'm in a full gale with water whipping everywhere and something huge is wanting to take me to the bottom. Hat blows off and paddle nearly gets away before I lash it down. I re-check and make sure all the gear in the yak is securely attached and turn my attention back to the fish. I'm losing ground on the reel as wind and waves are shoving me across lake and fish is not budging. I tighten the drag up as much as I dare and slowly gain just a bit of line back.
Eventually the fish is straight beath the yak and I have substantial line recovered. For the first time I believe there is a chance I might actually land the fish. An old problem is starting to materialize though.............I'm approaching the far shore way too fast. Quick check and still 25 ft of water. If I'm going to have a chance I've got to steer somehow. I unlash the paddle with one hand and use it as a rudder to gain a bit of steering and point the yak across the wind to slow my progress to shore. it also moves me closer to the truck. Another 5 minutes and the fish appears to be tiring. It comes out from beneath the yak and I see it for the first time. Catfish...........big Kitty. It sees the yak for the first time and sounds again. Good bye recovered line. Fish is back on the bottom. I look up and the rocks are getting way too close. A decision has to be made. Cut him off or risk getting rock smashed. If it comes to it I'm jumping out at the last second. I've got hip boots on and I'll just have to hope the yak is tough enought to take the abuse and all the safety tethers hold on the equipment. After all , the old man in the sea didn't give up, and I don't even have sharks to deal with.
At the perfect moment, the fish rolls alongside side, I scoop him into the yak, snap a photo, grab the paddle, spin the yak ..........and right there in the water is my hat. I snatch it out and paddle like a maniac, fish in my lap and truck dead ahead.
What a day ! No, a quick check of my phone shows I've only been on the water for an hour and a half. I spent the first thirty minutes getting across the lake and getting rigged up. In the past hour I have landed the largest bass I've caught in thirty plus years, a five pound bass, two smaller bass, and a 12-15 lb blue cat. All in conditions that a sane person would have simply turned around and done something indoors. What a Day ! When my cabin fever is at its very worst this winter, I'll simply break out some catfish steaks and head for the grill.
It is now a cold, rainy Monday...................Too cold for fishing ?
BB
Eventually the fish is straight beath the yak and I have substantial line recovered. For the first time I believe there is a chance I might actually land the fish. An old problem is starting to materialize though.............I'm approaching the far shore way too fast. Quick check and still 25 ft of water. If I'm going to have a chance I've got to steer somehow. I unlash the paddle with one hand and use it as a rudder to gain a bit of steering and point the yak across the wind to slow my progress to shore. it also moves me closer to the truck. Another 5 minutes and the fish appears to be tiring. It comes out from beneath the yak and I see it for the first time. Catfish...........big Kitty. It sees the yak for the first time and sounds again. Good bye recovered line. Fish is back on the bottom. I look up and the rocks are getting way too close. A decision has to be made. Cut him off or risk getting rock smashed. If it comes to it I'm jumping out at the last second. I've got hip boots on and I'll just have to hope the yak is tough enought to take the abuse and all the safety tethers hold on the equipment. After all , the old man in the sea didn't give up, and I don't even have sharks to deal with.
At the perfect moment, the fish rolls alongside side, I scoop him into the yak, snap a photo, grab the paddle, spin the yak ..........and right there in the water is my hat. I snatch it out and paddle like a maniac, fish in my lap and truck dead ahead.
What a day ! No, a quick check of my phone shows I've only been on the water for an hour and a half. I spent the first thirty minutes getting across the lake and getting rigged up. In the past hour I have landed the largest bass I've caught in thirty plus years, a five pound bass, two smaller bass, and a 12-15 lb blue cat. All in conditions that a sane person would have simply turned around and done something indoors. What a Day ! When my cabin fever is at its very worst this winter, I'll simply break out some catfish steaks and head for the grill.
It is now a cold, rainy Monday...................Too cold for fishing ?
BB
No comments:
Post a Comment