Don B

March 09. Air temp about 40 degrees 5 lb., 9 ounce Allegheny River smallmouth

Wow, that was a pretty cool story. You didn't just go out there and reel in hawg after hawg and collect without much effort or challenge. Sounds like you had some difficulties, figured them out, and ended up the better fisherman for the tourney in the end. Those winnings paid for your weeks meals and lodging, plus some spendin' bucks left over! Congrats!

[my second bass ever.... is this even a smallmouth?"

What a monster of a pike!

Nice fish!

Lot of people don't know that. My Silverado has the same set up. The only other thing I could add to the post is that most times, fuses don't blow for no reason. I'd bet your brown wire has rubbed some wee little bare spot somewhere that made it short and blow the fuse. That happened to me once. I fished all new wires through and found the spot after closely inspecting the wires I removed.

Good Lord Dwight! After lookin' at all your smallie hawgs, I was thinkin' of asking you if you do any trolling in August for the 'eyes like I do. I see now that you don't wait for August to come! My best one up there yet was a 30", 9 lber. The one your holding looks like an easy 32-34", 12-13 lber! Is that your PB walleye so far? I didn't think the holdover walleyes in Erie were many fish over 20". Way to go!

Just like your pictures last year at around this time of your 7+pounder, this year's pictures are awesome! You are the man Dwight! Still nailin' them hogs on that hair jig of yours?

That's a very nice fish!......just wondrin about the tow vehicle tho...

[quote author=515B5D51564C505D4E5D51564B380 link=1237980145/12#12 date=1238020359 Was this pig from the Allegheny?

Had it to the boat 3 times before I could net it. Wasn't using heavy gear, so I couldn't muscle it in. There wasn't any jumpin', but it pulled the drag at will each time I had it near the boat. Also: Forgot to mention that I released the fish unharmed to be caught again another day!

Caught my PB river smallmouth so far on 3/24/09. Fish measured 21.25" and weighed 5 lbs., 9 ounces. Water temp. was 45 degrees. Fooled this beast with a red/yellow jig in a saddle hole about 300 yards down from a dam.

Heck yeah! I use it for pulling the kids on tubes/skis, sight-seeing on the rivers. Loaded up many times with firewood and camping gear and head out to the many remote islands on the rivers here with the kids. All the fishing/camping/swimming we do on those islands will probably be some of their fondest memories when they are adults.

Nice! They are quite powerful when they get to that size. Spring and Fall is the time for the bigguns. Enjoy the pictures and congrats!

You'll need an 80lb. or more if you fish rivers. The small stuff works okay on the flat water. I have a MinnKota 80AP on my rig. My next one will be a 101AP for sure.