Fishing Forum

I tried to break the bank again today. I even ate 2 Jimmy John's subs to fuel me up for a big fish spot. I anchored on a piece of structure that seems to hold a big fish during the winter/spring in low or high current. A rod starts tapping, and my clicker was set. It quits, about 5 minutes later, same thing again. Finally, the line runs and I engage the drag. The rod doubles down and for a few seconds I don't even reel as line is stripping off the reel. Oh man, a winter giant! Boom, the line goes limp. What the heck? Did I break off? No, it just came unglued. I was concerned as a big fish picking around like that might not get the circle hook down. Grrr, my big bite 2 days in a row and I don't land this one either. I happened to catch a 23 lber later that was trapped in a 12 lb body. It must be uncomfortable to be that stuffed? I think the blue must feel like I do after eating Fuji Hibachi.<br /> <br />In between my big cat quest, I drifted some baby shad that I caught the night before. I found active fish in 1 hole downriver, and I landed 3 smallmouth and 5 spots out of that area. It was a nice break from the lockjaw cats. I found some spots on other structure as well, though they left the upriver spot where I found them 3 weeks ago. Not enough current I guess and the bait has dispersed.<br /> <br />Typical winter fishing for me, tough looking for that big cat bite. I didn't get luck this weekend with the 2 big cats hooked, but that's what keeps you coming back. Maybe it was a 30 lber I hooked today, maybe it was a 100, I just have to go again to find out! December has just started, and I have to wonder, can I make it 3 years in a row with an 80 plus pounder?