04-25-2018, 09:00 AM
<br /> Started day running to our favorite slough and fishing docks back to a flat. Early on Dusty caught a bream and finally as we approved a small point I made a cast to the base of the point. As the line settled it started moving so I reeled down and set the hook. As the fish got halfway to the boat she came up and we both knew we had a large fish. After she made a few runs and tried 2-3 times to get under the boat we finally got her netted and into the boat. I knew she was at least 6 and no more than 8 based on the 8.14 I caught a few years ago. She was hooked solid deep in the throat and the hook was all the way through. Tried to get loose, but eventually cut the barb and got the hook out. From that moment, my focus was on keeping her alive for 6&#43; hours in the livewell. Ran Pro-Air all day and made sure the water was cold. <br /> Between that time and 1:30, we caught 8 more fish, all short with two touching 14 inches. Water seemed to be dropping slowly and it seemed to stunt the bite we were targeting. What we did catch were on docks with cement posts, not wooden posts. Finally at 1:15, after hitting 3-4 locations we headed back to where we started. Fished three docks then headed to some deeper water docks. At 1:30, we were talking about how the day was a disappointment when Dusty finally hooked a keeper fish in 6 FOW on a senko. No more than laid the net down when I got a bite on a senko at the dock in front of us. Got it to the boat and it was 15.25 inches long, and gave us a limit. As we discussed having a few more minutes we noticed two large cruisers moving down river which made us surmise it was time to buckle down and head back, which was a rough ride with those cruiser wakes. <br /> Brought in a more than respectable bag but not enough to get us over the hump. Big fish was 7.69, shaped like a football and full of eggs. She had not yet spawned and based on where I caught her appeared to be transitioning to the spawning areas. I was thrilled when after we weighed her, took a picture and I laid her in the water she briskly swam away. Always fun to catch a big one!<br /> All fish caught on Missile Baits Da Bomb and Senko baits on 8-12lb fluorocarbon. <br /> And yes...that is my bass boat in the background. HA HA