 |
Weight: |
11.3# |
Length: |
23 3/4" |
Girth: |
19.5" |
Catch Date: |
05/07/02 |
Body of Water: |
Canyon Lake |
Lure or Bait Used: |
11 1/2" plastic worm |
Rod Used: |
Allstar Titanium |
Rod Length: |
6'6" |
Reel Used: |
Shimano Curado |
Line Used: |
10# |
Scent Used: |
Kick 'N Bass Crawdad |
Fish Location Before Catch: |
Deep side of a point |
Fishing Method Used: |
stitching plastics |
Electronics Used: |
None |
Preparation: |
The night before I put on a fresh line. I reorganized my tackle for my float tube. Not having a lot of room for tackle, I made sure that everything was in good working condition - no loose seams, fins in good condition, checked my lanyards for dry rot. I needed new nylong rope for one of my anchors. They are very generic - 1 cinder block cut in half. They fray my rope fast, but hold me in place very well. Fir the first time I did not listen to music on the way to the lake. I made a mental picture in my head of a game plan. WOW! This was something that I never thought of before, but it will become a regular part of my fishing from now on. |
Check Weather? |
Yes |
How Weather Checked: |
The Weather Channel and online at accu-wather.com |
Weather at Time of Catch: |
95 degrees, 10-15 mph wind |
Before or After Front? |
In front of a front |
Moon Phase: |
5 days before a new moon |
Were Satellite Photos Used? |
No |
Stealth Technique: |
Slow and Methodical Approach |
Fishing From: |
Boat |
Witnesses: |
Louie Phillips |
Scale Used to Weigh Fish: |
|
Bassin' Big Bass Contest? |
No |
Big Bass Record Club? |
No |
Member of (Bass Club): |
None |
Years Fishing: |
25 |
Introduced to Fishing By: |
My Father |
Sponsors: |
None |
Favorite Big Bass Book: |
In Pursuit of Giant Bass |
Favorite Big Bass Video: |
|
Favorite Big Bass Hunter: |
Bill Murray |
Released? |
No |
Email: |
eck32@yahoo.com |
Website: |
|
Significant Factor(s): |
A stealth approach as I was getting near the point I drifted the last 50-60 yards. Dropped one anchor drifted another 20 yards dropped the second anchor and shored up in the middle tight. I just sat in my tube for 5 minutes or so going thru my plan of action for this spot then started fishing. |
The Story: |
I was shored up in about 5' of water, 20 yards from shore. I was fan casting the point, sitching 11 1/2" plastic worms that were light brown in color. I made 6-8 casts with no success, then switched to a dark brown hot chocolate color with a purple vein. On my first cast with the new color I got a bite on the sink. That was different. I had fished the area several times and had never gotten a bite on the sink before. When she hit the worm, she immediately headed straight for deep water. This was hard to detect due to the fact that the sun had gone down and it was starting to get dark real fast. I let her run for a five count, put my reel in gear, pointed it at the water and waited for her to pull tight and set the hook. This type of hook set works great from a float tube due to the fact that you don't stay stationary so on the hook set there is a bit of give. The second I set the hook, she headed for the surface, shook her head and headed deep again. At this point I loosened one anchor rope so that I had more freedom in case she went around the point. Then I would have been way out of position. At this point she started to pull me about 15-20 yards, which was quite an experience. She made her second jump at this point and I knew she was over 10 pounds. There was a short fight with her pulling drag. She tried to jump again, but was way too tired and only managed a jump that resembled a head shake. AT this point I knew she was mine! The whole fight was probably only 4-5 minutes. After I landed the fish, I pulled my second anchor and paddled to shore as fast as possible. With the help of another person I got my tube out of the water so I could take measurements. |
Comments:
She had just spawned and her tail was all beat up from fanning. Her belly was still red in some spots and very soft. I am no expert, but I would have to say that she had probably just dropped her eggs the day before, or maybe two days. I tried to revive her for around 35-45 minutes but she was just too tired. This is the first fresh water fish that I have kept in over 20 years. I think that next time I will stay anchored and fight her from where I am. I think that pulling me around was what broke her. I am sure that the amount of acid build up was her demise. My fault. Live and learn. |
