Landed this beauty last night. I was slowly swimming my bait along the bottom, when it came to a complete stop. I set the hook and nothing happened, so I thought I might be snagged. I applied a little more steady pressure to be safe, and then it happened - she slowly started to move. I'm not sure it realized it was hooked, as it just steadily swam along the bottom, coming toward me. Finally, about 10 feet from where I was standing, she came up and tried to jump, but she was too long and really just kind of wallowed. At that point I told myself to not get too excited and just play it calmly - I sure didn't want to lose her. Surprisingly, she came in without much more fight. I quickly landed her and removed the hook, then got a good measurement (5' 6"), but forgot to check what pound test she was spooled with. Oh well, I'm still pretty certain it's my new PB...and yes, I released her to be caught again some day after a couple quick pics. Who says Ned rigs catch only dinks  

 

She's a real Beauty.

Looks like she's been around a while.

Oh, the stories she could probably tell . . . 

Congrats ~ !

A-Jay

 

A nice find. Nice clean up, or ... trash?

Had me going there until I saw the pic.

 

Looks like an Ugly Stick and a Daiwa reel? Did you really throw it back?

I was guessing Shakespeare also. I own plenty, so I left it on the shoreline, then posted the same pic on a local fishing FB page and said whomever got their first could have it, or the original owner could claim it. Not sure if anyone has grabbed it or not...may swing by after work just to see 

Nice catch but kind of skinny. Bet it is gone when you go back to check on it.

I was hanging on every word....