Some days you are just REALLY lucky...

[brackshooter]

I hesitate to even tell this story, as I am sure no one will believe it, and I am not sure I would if I read it on here, but here goes anyhow. I had a couple appointments in Tigard today, last one ended at 2:30, so I figured I would throw the pontoon in the back of the truck and fish a lake I hadnt fished since I was 14. Always wanted to go back, but kinda forgot it was there before finding it again on Google earth. Anyway, right when I got there I knew it was gonna be good. I spotted a pile of bluegill and two two pound bass right where I was puttin the boat in. They saw me first of course, so I just launched and floated over to some likely lookin cover. Lots of logs and grass, and the water was warm and very clear. I could see bass all over, and TONS of big carp crusin around. I tried a floating worm at first, then a senko, all without a hit. After a half hour or so of this, I went back to one of my very favorite lures for large fish, a zoom fluke in tennessee shad. Hooked it up with a 2/0 owner hook and started fishin. After a few minutes I saw a large dark shape about 40 feet away. I figured it would be a carp, but figured I would never know if I didnt cast, so I let her rip. Landed about 10 feet past her and after a couple jerks it was within a few feet. To my surprise, the fish started heading towards it. Right then, I lost sight of it in the glare of the sun, immediatly noticed my line heading off to the right. I reeled down and set the hook. WOW! She rocketed out of the water and dove down. My nine foot boat actually was being pulled in the direction of a large log she was headin for. It was one of the best fights I have ever had, and it took me a good 3 minutes for me to tire her enough to land. I was amazed to say the least. I had no camera, of course, and my scale was sittin in my garage, so I did the next best thing. Put her tail at the end of the pontoon and marked where the tip of her nose hit. I admired her a minute more and slipped her back in. I could barely continue fishing I was so jacked up. Caught another, about two pounds, and decided to head home. Took out the tape and to my surprise, 25 inches on the nose! I have caught some large bass in my days, including an 8-2 outta Minto Brown in 95', but this one was MUCH larger. Like I said, I am not sure I would believe it either if I hadnt seen it myself, but it was fantastic. I used a shimano 7' medium rod, shimano spinning reel, 10 lb magnathin line, zoom fluke and 2/0 owner hook. The hard part now is that it will be at least a week before I can get back there. Cant wait though. :excited: Oh, by the way, she was all spawned out, tail all bloody but no eggs in her. All the other fish I saw looked to have already spawned, didnt see any on beds, and lots of fry in the shallows.

[BassinJay]

man, i wish you had some pictures!! i believe ya, why wouldnt i believe ya!! i wouldnt take time to write such a lengthy story if it wasnt the truth:D.

[raptorschild]

I hesitate to even tell this story, as I am sure no one will believe it, and I am not sure I would if I read it on here, but here goes anyhow. I had a couple appointments in Tigard today, last one ended at 2:30, so I figured I would throw the pontoon in the back of the truck and fish a lake I hadnt fished since I was 14. Always wanted to go back, but kinda forgot it was there before finding it again on Google earth. Anyway, right when I got there I knew it was gonna be good. I spotted a pile of bluegill and two two pound bass right where I was puttin the boat in. They saw me first of course, so I just launched and floated over to some likely lookin cover. Lots of logs and grass, and the water was warm and very clear. I could see bass all over, and TONS of big carp crusin around. I tried a floating worm at first, then a senko, all without a hit. After a half hour or so of this, I went back to one of my very favorite lures for large fish, a zoom fluke in tennessee shad. Hooked it up with a 2/0 owner hook and started fishin. After a few minutes I saw a large dark shape about 40 feet away. I figured it would be a carp, but figured I would never know if I didnt cast, so I let her rip. Landed about 10 feet past her and after a couple jerks it was within a few feet. To my surprise, the fish started heading towards it. Right then, I lost sight of it in the glare of the sun, immediatly noticed my line heading off to the right. I reeled down and set the hook. WOW! She rocketed out of the water and dove down. My nine foot boat actually was being pulled in the direction of a large log she was headin for. It was one of the best fights I have ever had, and it took me a good 3 minutes for me to tire her enough to land. I was amazed to say the least. I had no camera, of course, and my scale was sittin in my garage, so I did the next best thing. Put her tail at the end of the pontoon and marked where the tip of her nose hit. I admired her a minute more and slipped her back in. I could barely continue fishing I was so jacked up. Caught another, about two pounds, and decided to head home. Took out the tape and to my surprise, 25 inches on the nose! I have caught some large bass in my days, including an 8-2 outta Minto Brown in 95', but this one was MUCH larger. Like I said, I am not sure I would believe it either if I hadnt seen it myself, but it was fantastic. I used a shimano 7' medium rod, shimano spinning reel, 10 lb magnathin line, zoom fluke and 2/0 owner hook. The hard part now is that it will be at least a week before I can get back there. Cant wait though. :excited: Oh, by the way, she was all spawned out, tail all bloody but no eggs in her. All the other fish I saw looked to have already spawned, didnt see any on beds, and lots of fry in the shallows.

If you had a camera around....you surely wouldnt have caught that fish!

Nice job.

[brackshooter]

I was out lookin for my camera this morning so I could put it in my boat, and lo and behold, its in my truck! :passout:

[team doyle]

sweet deal mcneal.
a trophy monster from a sleeper spot.
nice work!
joe

[Wild Chrome]

Take a camera with you when you go back to the same exact place next May and catch her again at 26 inches!:thisbig:

Oh,
.....and always carry a phone with a camera, wherever you go! Nice job catching her!

[nevermiss]

Brings to mind the old sports saying, "Good teams make their own luck."

[Tar Heel]

You know, it may sound corney, but maybe some things are left best etched in our minds, indelably for us never to forget. BUT, if you do catch her again, post a picture, of course! Great story telling beats a photo!

[tuanchau]

Great story, sounds like the bass gave you a run for your money.

I need to do some more research on google maps. Always looking for some good spots to launch a pontoon.

[6wapiti6]

Next time your in my office I'll bring in a camera for you! Gald we had one a few years back for your elk or that would have been hard to believe too....figure out who I am yet?

[brackshooter]

Hey there Matt, glad to see you on here! Yeah, the camera was in my car, can you believe it? Biggest largie I ever caught, and cameras in the car! Grrrrrr.....