JSV, HPSP Night Tx Report 3rd place / Big Fish, Bass, 05-09-2012, TNDOE

[FishNews]

<br /> <br /> Sorry for such a late report but I hate making reports from my Blackberry and my home network is down. Then to make things worse I came down with a high fever Sunday and still can't get rid of it. Saturday sure was a fun night with a good friend. Kathy and I have fished together for well over 25 years and that was our best sack of 3 and would have been our best sack of 5 if it had been a 5 fish limit. With 3 we had 15.86lb's and with our 5 we would have been at 24+. When you’re culling 4 lb'ers you know you’re having a good night. We pretty much did the same thing as Jmax and Derik. <br /> We ran up river and started fishing the edge of pretty much grass flats or rough areas (either brush or rocky areas). We stayed in 12 to 15 fow and worked jigs, big worms and blades through each area. The blade bite was not happening though. I slung it a lot and don't believe I ever got a look. Kathy was on with her feel and hook set while using the jig, shaky head and occasional worm and put the first 4 or 5 fish in the boat before I ever connected. I was being as good a net man as I could though! However it was pretty darn difficult. First off lets discuss this new net she has: it does not like to stay connected! Of course the kind of guy I am, I believe in when you get to a location, you should get the net out and have it ready!! Well............Kathy has changed and adapted through the years and in most all cases it has made her an even better fisher lady!! But........DD22 has taught her to never get the net out because it will hex you!!! Drives me crazy!! Each fish I was running to the front and struggling to get the net out of the compartment and put together however in many cases I just used the net without the handle because if you didn't get it latched right, it would slide on out any way. As you will seeJ Thanks Gary J We continued to stay on the same pattern and fish the edge of grass. We did stop and hit a few isolated places and structure on our way back down river but all the keepers were just off the edge of the grass and if you moved into the grass and shallower, the fish became smaller. The bite was light and unless it was a small fish, it was dang near undetectable by feeling a thump or watching your line twitch. However with each "get the net" my heart would thump knowing here we go again with this net thing. I was able to sneak and leave the net out a few times though. However when we would go 5 minuets with out Kathy putting another fish in the boat, there gos the net back in the compartment! Around 11 we had over 12 lb's and Kathy said we need that kicker. Not long after, I set the hook on a real light bite and as I set the hook, I knew it was a good decent fish. This was one of those times I was able to sneak the net out (and prove DD22's theory wrong). The fish pulled drag and then erupted from the depths and gave us an aerial treat as Kathy was getting ready with the net! The fish was nearing the boat and Kathy scooped and the next thing I hear was “OH CRAP, GET THE NET"!! I am looking down in amazement for what seemed to be 20 seconds as the fish was indeed in the net but Kathy hadn't raised it over the side yet! By this time, I realized what had happened the dang handle came out and the net lay helpless in the water!! The fish still in it! GET THE NET, GET THE DANG NET..........It's dark and at first I didn't realize it was a 7lb 10oz fish and second, I was just hoping the net would sink so I could swing it over the side or reach down and lip it. In astonishment this net floats or did on this occasion!!! I raise the rod up and bend down and somehow grab the fish and net and put them in the boat! The shaky head fell out and I tossed it in the well to gain composure. Of course I got the blame for not having the net together but any how it was a great memory and fun time. We culled and weighed and pretty much relaxed at that point. Knowing we had over 15lb’s and was certain of a check and was feeling good about 1st!! Not on this lake! We were fortunate to get 3rd and also have big fish! Either way it was a great night. We did manage a few more fish from midnight to 1:30 but Kathy had already put 4 or 5 fish in the boat that were over 4lb's. I had a great time with a good friend and $$$ or not we were blessed and enjoyed the night! On another side note: you would think that someone like me that is vertically challenged would be able to see out of Kathy's truck mirrors!! NOT!! If you haven't put in at Harrison in years, don't try it without mirrors adjusted! Too far to the right and the people weighing fish get nervous and start yelling:-) Sorry!!!!!!! I will try to add a picture of the big fish in a few.<br />