EricM, Chick, Light-line blue cats, 3-10-13

[FishNews]

My second trip of the year and my first fish of the year! Today was warm by early March standards but miserable on the lake. Not much warm sun, and the wind was absolutely nuts. It blew me in circles (well, semi-circles) even with the i-pilot trying to hold the heading. At least the fish were back where I expected to find them in the more reasonable water flow.<br /><br />Lots of bass boats zipping up and/or down the lake, but no one was out chasing the catfish today except a commercial guy. The fish were there and willing to play, and I had a great time with them. I boated 14 or 15 good blue catfish, with the majority of them in the 6 to 10 pound range, all on my 6 pound test. The kicker fish of the day went right at 30 pounds and gave me a great fight on the light equipment, maybe 15 minutes or so. It was blind in one eye (I guess I can only catch the handicapped ones) but in terrific health. I d in the picture with that one for sure! Hoo-eee!!!<br /><br />I am looking forward to getting out and pursuing that 65+ lb record this spring. I'm confident that if I can hook one up, that I have a great chance to land it. The 30's that I have been getting are good practice. Same tactics for the fight, only a much shorter time is required. Oh, glad I remember - I need to cut off this 50 feet or so of used 6 lb line before the next trip!<br /><br />It was nice to meet deerhunter3 at the ramp today - hope he did well! Here are pics of the first cat of the year and the 30 pounder:<br /><br /><br />