I got out on a lake this afternoon. It was nice and sunny, about 46, at 11:30 at my place here in CovTown. However, the destination was still foggy and 38 at 12:30. Ugh...
Well, drove an hour so we're in it. And I forgot my Striker 4, even though spent the time to rig up the transducer on the Commander. FYI, a Scotty kayak track mounted transducer arm slides into a GoPro mount. Kinda cool.
This is when I should've known that it could be a different day.
Oh well. I'll do it the old-fashioned way.
I started with a bobber. 15' down (measured the old way), #10/12ish bruised leech and a #16 blood worm under that. 6" to a foot off the bottom.
Always my winter and early spring go-to. Nada, zilch.
Ok, so threw a nice blob colored streamer (Borden Special) for a while from where I was anchored at as I've caught lots of winter fish on it. Nothing.
Saw a few buzzers starting to pop, probably 2pm by this point. Ok, went back to the bobber with leech still on top, but replaced the blood worm with a #16 zebra. No go. By this time I had tried a few different bobber spots and mid combos and was needing some action. So I pulled out the type 6 and tied on a Borden trailed by a brown Simi seal leech. Another winter setup that has paid off countless times.
I typically cast out while barely kicking, let the type 6 get down and then start stripping while still barely kicking. I was about 3/4 across the lake when something heavy hit. Took me almost to my backing. Ok, some action! After a great fight, I netted the nastiest, most gnarly brood fish I've ever seen. This thing was like a warning label for all hatchery trout- Don't be this guy!
I had seen on the planting report that they threw in some broods recently. They sure did.
This thing was too big for my 24" Measure net and despite having hardly any fins, several white patches and an overall "I'm slimy" look, was ACTIVE in the net. I had barely got him over the tube and onto my apron when he flipped out of the net, kicked my 5wt off the apron and right over the right tube into the water.
He ended up flopping into the water between my legs.
The rod immediately had priority over Uncle Fester! I took a bicep deep grab at the tip of the rod as it was sinking and missed. Of course, I had just put on nice dry gloves. I then saw the Borden Special go flipping over the right tube (fish had hit the trailing leech) so I put the net into my right hand and hooked the streamer on my 2nd attempt. Pulled up the rod with no further drama.
The leech had flipped out of the fish or the net and had entered the water before the Borden. I'm convinced if it hadn't hooked the net on the 2nd try it was a goner.
I have NEVER dropped or knocked a rod overboard. I've had buddies do it in my boat, but I've never done it. And technically, I didn't do it this time either. Haha! I set it on my apron like I always do. The reel helps lock it in. I guess that method doesn't work when a 7# disfigured behemoth gives it a kick with his stubby tail.
So as badly as I wanted a picture of the freak, I was just happy that I didn't lose a setup.
And that was the only fish I hooked. The view got pretty cool once the fog lifted a bit. I was the last one on the lake.
Well, drove an hour so we're in it. And I forgot my Striker 4, even though spent the time to rig up the transducer on the Commander. FYI, a Scotty kayak track mounted transducer arm slides into a GoPro mount. Kinda cool.
This is when I should've known that it could be a different day.
Oh well. I'll do it the old-fashioned way.
I started with a bobber. 15' down (measured the old way), #10/12ish bruised leech and a #16 blood worm under that. 6" to a foot off the bottom.
Always my winter and early spring go-to. Nada, zilch.
Ok, so threw a nice blob colored streamer (Borden Special) for a while from where I was anchored at as I've caught lots of winter fish on it. Nothing.
Saw a few buzzers starting to pop, probably 2pm by this point. Ok, went back to the bobber with leech still on top, but replaced the blood worm with a #16 zebra. No go. By this time I had tried a few different bobber spots and mid combos and was needing some action. So I pulled out the type 6 and tied on a Borden trailed by a brown Simi seal leech. Another winter setup that has paid off countless times.
I typically cast out while barely kicking, let the type 6 get down and then start stripping while still barely kicking. I was about 3/4 across the lake when something heavy hit. Took me almost to my backing. Ok, some action! After a great fight, I netted the nastiest, most gnarly brood fish I've ever seen. This thing was like a warning label for all hatchery trout- Don't be this guy!
I had seen on the planting report that they threw in some broods recently. They sure did.This thing was too big for my 24" Measure net and despite having hardly any fins, several white patches and an overall "I'm slimy" look, was ACTIVE in the net. I had barely got him over the tube and onto my apron when he flipped out of the net, kicked my 5wt off the apron and right over the right tube into the water.
He ended up flopping into the water between my legs.
The rod immediately had priority over Uncle Fester! I took a bicep deep grab at the tip of the rod as it was sinking and missed. Of course, I had just put on nice dry gloves. I then saw the Borden Special go flipping over the right tube (fish had hit the trailing leech) so I put the net into my right hand and hooked the streamer on my 2nd attempt. Pulled up the rod with no further drama.
The leech had flipped out of the fish or the net and had entered the water before the Borden. I'm convinced if it hadn't hooked the net on the 2nd try it was a goner.
I have NEVER dropped or knocked a rod overboard. I've had buddies do it in my boat, but I've never done it. And technically, I didn't do it this time either. Haha! I set it on my apron like I always do. The reel helps lock it in. I guess that method doesn't work when a 7# disfigured behemoth gives it a kick with his stubby tail.
So as badly as I wanted a picture of the freak, I was just happy that I didn't lose a setup.
And that was the only fish I hooked. The view got pretty cool once the fog lifted a bit. I was the last one on the lake.
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