While I did get out for an abbreviated sesh 1.5wks ago with @mcswny on board where some hookups were had, today was my first serious effort.
After being canceled on by my cousin, and not finding another potential crewmate, I took off mid afternoon in the boat from my local launch all by my lonesome.
Hit up a bit of a sleeper spot that hasn't seemed to be discovered yet for about an hour. It's super weedy and tough to fish, but I found it more doable without a passenger blowing the shots up
Managed to get three solidly average ones to the net at this spot. No shallow, happy feeders. All ones hovering near weed mats.
Got a text from a buddy who got off work early, so agreed to pick him up at the dock. Went from there to a popular flats area. Didn't see nearly as many fish as I anticipated, but after a bit, spotted a very large tail waving lazily beneath the surface. Got my leader over him, drug the fly up, saw him turn, waited a few seconds and strip set with a whole lot of weight on the line.
He swam fast at the boat then out to well past my backing knot in no time flat. It did admittedly make me wonder if my experiment with a click pawl reel was as fun as it sounded. I still don't know, because when these things rip off, having some resistance is definitely beneficial.
Anyways enough of that. Long story not made longer, I landed what is quite possibly my personal best. Hard to tell in the photo, but this was all of a 20lb class fish. He did not come to the net quickly or easily.
(not pictured well: the ridiculous girth of this beast)
After that, I managed to pick up a few more smaller fish that were perfectly sized for a fun fight after that slug fest with the giant.
Unfortunately, my friend on board was unable to make anything happen for him. I don't think he believed me when I explained how challenging it is.
I enjoy these early summer fish. They are very willing biters when they're in that post spawn afterglow.
After being canceled on by my cousin, and not finding another potential crewmate, I took off mid afternoon in the boat from my local launch all by my lonesome.
Hit up a bit of a sleeper spot that hasn't seemed to be discovered yet for about an hour. It's super weedy and tough to fish, but I found it more doable without a passenger blowing the shots up
Managed to get three solidly average ones to the net at this spot. No shallow, happy feeders. All ones hovering near weed mats.
Got a text from a buddy who got off work early, so agreed to pick him up at the dock. Went from there to a popular flats area. Didn't see nearly as many fish as I anticipated, but after a bit, spotted a very large tail waving lazily beneath the surface. Got my leader over him, drug the fly up, saw him turn, waited a few seconds and strip set with a whole lot of weight on the line.
He swam fast at the boat then out to well past my backing knot in no time flat. It did admittedly make me wonder if my experiment with a click pawl reel was as fun as it sounded. I still don't know, because when these things rip off, having some resistance is definitely beneficial.
Anyways enough of that. Long story not made longer, I landed what is quite possibly my personal best. Hard to tell in the photo, but this was all of a 20lb class fish. He did not come to the net quickly or easily.
(not pictured well: the ridiculous girth of this beast)
After that, I managed to pick up a few more smaller fish that were perfectly sized for a fun fight after that slug fest with the giant.
Unfortunately, my friend on board was unable to make anything happen for him. I don't think he believed me when I explained how challenging it is.
I enjoy these early summer fish. They are very willing biters when they're in that post spawn afterglow.
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