Hey all, 

 

I wanted to hear about some of your incidental catches. Like, the stuff you catch while fishing for bass, but not bass. 

 

My most notable was a 3.5 pound bluegill, who slammed a LIVETARGET pumpkinseed squarebill. I've also caught a bullfrog on a Spro frog before.

 

Drew

~Catch 'em

I caught a monster open umbrella on a timber tiger a few years ago...put up one good fight.

6lb catfish on a weightless Senko, last year.

Tiny crappie on a 6 inch zoom ribbontail on a 2/0 hook. I don't even get how the crappie managed to open its mouth wide enough for the hook... I think it broke its jaw by opening its mouth waaay to wide.

I caught a 2 inch bass fry on a 4" tube. Through the mouth and everything.

An entire zebco spincast fishing outfit (corroded beyond use). My bottom bouncing jig happened to snag the line and I pulled it in hand over hand. I also once reeled in a 15-20 pound snapping turtle (I named him Bitey) while fishing for channel cats.

Let's see - Pike, Walleye, Carp, Lake Trout, Steelhead / Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Tilapia, Catfish, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Frogs, the occasional Diving Bird and last year - One of My Fishing Buddies - who was none too happy . .. . . . .

 

I think that about covers it.

 

btw - a 3.5 lb Bluegill is quite a catch.

 

A-Jay

Hey all, 

 

I wanted to hear about some of your incidental catches. Like, the stuff you catch while fishing for bass, but not bass. 

 

My most notable was a 3.5 pound bluegill, who slammed a LIVETARGET pumpkinseed squarebill. I've also caught a bullfrog on a Spro frog before.

 

Drew

~Catch 'em

I was running a lipless crank through some swirling water, Eye hooked 2 "Wiper" hybrids...I thought that was rather interesting

3.5lb bluegill is quite the catch.  Would love to see a pic of that monster!

 

Jeff

3.5 bluegill? The NC record is 4-something.... Where did you catch that monster?

i have caught quite a few catfish at night using a black jointed jitterbug...a few have been 5-7 lb range. 

Ok, I admit it. Not my most proud of story but I was fishing a heddon torpedo and daydreaming. I heard a splash, felt resistance and naturally set the hook....... 4lb Mallard. I thought things would be ok if I could just get it in and released. Things got interesting when it took to the air.

While fishing for bass I have caught, Peacock bass, Oscars, rock bass, pickerel, mudfish, catfish, turtles, walleye, crappie, bluegill, foul hook a 30lb carp, two alligators, gar, Mayan Cichalids, an anhinga bird, and strangest of all a Hawk in flight. Over 40 years I'm sure there is more.

A 3.5lb bluegill is a BEAST!! Holy cow!

 

My best "incidental" was a 14 lb striper where

they do not stock striper...my fav. reservoir!

 

I released it to be caught again.

 

Others would be a 1 lb bluegill, several cats,

pickerel, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, white bass,

American Eel, warmouth, one pigeon, mud turtles,

snapping turtles, and so on.....

I once was fishing a spinnerbait in a farm pond (actually caught my PB there), and right as I casted, someone scared up some ducks. Next thing I know, I have my line wrapped a few times around the wing of a duck! That wasn't very fun. Have had bass stolen by gators too. 

 I would guess all of us(at least where they are located) have caught northerns and pickerel. But I did catch a 13 inch crappie with a Mepps #3 inline spinner around stumps one time. That was the best incidental catch I ever had.

3 lb catfish on a baby brushhog. Did I also mention that was my first catch on a soft plastic

Also caught a less than an inch shiner by accident. I was fishing a rooster tail for trout and bass, and somehow the tiny shiner managed to impale itself on one of the treble hooks.

Pics of the 3.5 pound bluegill ?

 I would guess all of us(at least where they are located) have caught northerns and pickerel. But I did catch a 13 inch crappie with a Mepps #3 inline spinner around stumps one time. That was the best incidental catch I ever had.

I've actually yet to catch a pickerel. I have even targeted them before, to no avail. Used pork frogs, crankbaits, frogs (of course), spinnerbaits, topwaters - everything. No northerns either. 

Another incidental I've had would be countless turtles. Man, they're a pain. Ruin soft plastics, kill live bait, scratch up hard baits - biggest reason I lose lures.

6lb catfish on a weightless Senko, last year.

Was it sitting on the bottom when he took it?

i have caught quite a few catfish at night using a black jointed jitterbug...a few have been 5-7 lb range. 

Didn't realize catfish would hit a top water! I never really fished for them but most of the waters I fish have them. I'd be pumped as hell to catch one incidentally.

Grrr... how do I upload pics?

I'll show a pic of the "bullgill" if someone can tell me how to upload a pic