turned out to be not too bad. Stuck one decent fish on the Hud. Plenty long enough to have been a DD, but kind of lean. Healthy though. Fought good.

The really interesting part of the trip though, was when I found a BIG one, just kind of sitting on the bottom, in about 4ft of water. Honestly, if I had to guess, I'd say it was 15.60 lbs... give or take a few ouces. Why would I guess this ? Because I really think it was the 15.60 that I caught earlier this year. In fact, I have seen a fish which I believe to be her, within 20 feet of where I caught my 15.60, on at least 3 different trips, since I C/R'd her.

Anyway, once before, when I saw her sitting in the same area, I drug the Hud in front of her, and she just spooked out, and disapeered. So, I had told myself that the next time I saw her... or another big fish, just hanging out like that, I would drag a Huddlebug past her first (way smaller, and less spooky). Well, my lighter pole with the Hud Bug was back at the boat.... and I was holding my swimbait rod... and so, like an impatient dummy, I throw the Hud trout out past her. As I retrieve it back past her, I let it drop to the bottom and start dragging it about 2 feet in front of her. Immediatly she lifts up, swims over, and starts to tilt down to look at my Hud (meanwhile, my heart is about to beat out of my throat :-) ....then.... Wooosh ! She spins a 180 and bolts away ! :-( Tell me that fish doesn't remember being bit back by that lure before !

So then, I'm kicking myself in the but, for not going and getting my light pole with the Hud Bug.... But, 15 minutes later, I find her up shallow again, about 20 feet down the bank. This time, I do go get the light pole with the Hud Bug. I make a cast out past her, get it up close, then start a really slow stitch. She lifts up, swims over to check it out, eyes it for a little bit.... then then slowly cruises away. Not spooked.... but not fixing to make any mistakes today.

Darn, that is one smart old girl.......

I'd rather catch her pre-spawn next year anyway, when she will go 16.5 to 17 lbs :-)

Oh well.

Had fun :-)

Fish

Man, that's too bad...tough day... :'(

8-)

So what she weigh?  

Congrats once again man. Seems like this summer has been good to you.

Man, that's too bad...tough day... :'(

8-)

hahaha

Doh ! I meant to say, this fish went 9.2 lbs.

Peace,

Fish

Sheesh! And to think I get all worked up over catching a fish in the 3-5 lb range. That water Fish Chris catches fish in would have me spoiled. Congrats on another beauty!!!

Russ tells me he's gonna really enjoy "takin" you to school on landing big bass.

He says that the Cali bass are a bunch of trout fed, macrobiotic, gay, pot heads, who could be caught by a nine year old with a sponge bob outfit shouting "surfs up dude"

I wasn't gonna tell you this stuff, but when he quoted your governor and said that you were really "a girlie man. I thought that was a low blow.  

but I don't gossip, so you didn't hear this from me.    

Avid,....you're bad!!!  It was a spiderman rod!  

lol

FC- When you see the fish on the bottom and you are conscious that this one spooks a little easier (or did last time you saw her there) is the h-bug your only "go to" as far as down-sizing?  The question is this.  What chance would one have if they applied "regular" tactics to that fish.  i.e.... senko, 10" worm,...jig  (certainly not criticizing your approach, just wondering...)

and nice fish!

Dang I like Chris's dinks  

The fish in the pic is a great fish itself. Pitty you couldent get that 15 pounder though. Oh well theres always next time and im sure you will get him then

well, definately not a Senko. I've never thrown one of those in my life. Used to say I never would.... Now I just say, maybe 10 years from now, if everyone has forgot about them.... hmmmm :-)

There really isnt another "artificial lure" I'd put in front of that smart old girl.... But I would certainly consider fly-lining a big, fat, tail hooked crawler out to her..... and maybe even a "wad" of them (but not just all crammed on a hook like you were catfishing. Rather, about 4 or 5 crawlers, each one hooked through the tip of the nose, and all twisting and squirming in every different direction. I know it sounds "unnatural" for a bass to find several big worms, in one exact spot, at one time..... but for whatever reason, it can work.

Peace,

Fish

PS, Then again, on the right day, that Huddlebug will still stick her..... Or heck, for that matter, even the Huddleston trout ! It's all about timing :-)

Russ tells me he's gonna really enjoy "takin" you to school on landing big bass.

He says that the Cali bass are a bunch of trout fed, macrobiotic, gay, pot heads, who could be caught by a nine year old with a sponge bob outfit shouting "surfs up dude"

I wasn't gonna tell you this stuff, but when he quoted your governor and said that you were really "a girlie man. I thought that was a low blow.

but I don't gossip, so you didn't hear this from me.

Avid, I'm laughing so hard I am literally crying.

Russ tells me he's gonna really enjoy "takin" you to school on landing big bass.

He says that the Cali bass are a bunch of trout fed, macrobiotic, gay, pot heads, who could be caught by a nine year old with a sponge bob outfit shouting "surfs up dude"

I wasn't gonna tell you this stuff, but when he quoted your governor and said that you were really "a girlie man. I thought that was a low blow.  

but I don't gossip, so you didn't hear this from me.    

Avid, I'm laughing so hard I am literally crying.

Happy to oblige  

Avid is one funny Dude! ;D  Crack'en me up young man! 8-)

Chris:  What a great story!  You'll pick her up again for sure!

Dan

I hope so. But honestly, if I have to wait until next Spring in the pre-spawn, that will be fine too. I honestly believe the both the 14.40 that I got earlier this year, which had just got done spawning, and the 15.60, which had spawned out way earlier, but was obviously in the process of fattening back up, will both be between 16 and 17 lbs next March ! And even for Cali, those are some sho' nuf' Hawgs ! :-) Six months to go, and I already get jittery thinking about it !!! :-)

Peace,

Fish