May 15, 2020 - Keeping Your Head in the Game - Fishing Reports

May 16, 20206 yr

Super User

I went fishing at a lake an hour north of my home yesterday. The lake was inundated with rain the day before, water levels were up, and the water was muddy. I spent 2.5 hours seeking a bite with different techniques and lures to no avail, so I made a decision to move to one of my "spots" closer to the dam where the water was relatively clearer. At this location there is a small shelf with trees and brush that extends about 10 feet from the bank and then drops into 25 feet of water. After 30 minutes of casting a jig and craw, on one of my casts I felt a slight vibration and saw my line move ever so slightly. I set the hook and the fish immediately came up and her front half came out of the water. Oh boy . . . . big head and mouth. This looks good. At the same time the wind was turning one end of my tin boat, which was anchored, into some brush. I was noticing the brush and didn't realize I made a beginner's mistake, reeling up way too close to the tip of my rod. That's when the fish decided to jump again and then . . . . bye bye. She was gone. I knew she had to be in the 5 lb plus range and was feeling somewhat sick and angry at myself for being so freaking stupid. I sat down and pondered what had just happened, and where I had just hooked this fish - on the shelf with a stump and some laydowns laying near it. I made mental notes and started casting to areas on the shelf that were similar. Approximately 15 minutes later I made a pitch to similar cover and felt a similar bite. I set the hook and the fight was on. This one jumped early in the fight too so I knew I had another big one. Eventually, she tired and I pulled her close to the boat and lipped her. After a quick weigh and length measurement - 6lb 4 oz and 22 inches respectively - I took a pic and sent her on her way. I sat and thought about the events that had just happened and was happy that I was able to get my mind back in the game after losing the first big fish. I would have much rather had both big fish in the boat, but I wouldn't have had any big fish to talk about if I had let the first one drag me into negative thinking.