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A freind of mine and I road over to the L yesterday afternoon and arrive about 2pm. After launching our tubes we trolled around popping Roadrunners packing twister tails (only slightly sweetened with carp) and landed a few white bass and even muddies. About 4:30 I sat my rod in the rod holder to take care of something while the Roadrunner was dragging across the bottom in 7' of water behind me and about 30 seconds later I noticed that my pole was nearly bent to the water while still standing in the rod holder.. At first I thought for sure it was merely another snag, then it started to move so I set the hook. The it moved again and moved out fast! My reel screamed for what seemed like a minute or more before it stopped and the fish came straight back in our direaction. Infact I told my friend It may strip my line completely off before it changed direaction and I had a chance to gather some back. Just before it would have went under me it changed direaction again and peeled line off again.. Before long I was chasing it down, or trying to because I have a Minn Kota tug me system.. This situation went on for another half dozen big runs until I was finally able to get its nose then body into a net. When finally in the net the old gal seemed as popped as I my arms were and seemed willing to just rest a bit.
I did think long and hard about bringing the old gal home for the contest but Sorry guys and gals,, I got No picture. I sent it back to spawn. It was full of eggs and was just over 28 inches long. I cant honestly say what it weighed but while still in the net I hung it from my small scales witch weighs up to 10 lbs and it made me look simple minded for even trying that..(my big scales to 50lbs were at home). So just as a guess from those I have caught in this ones class size I'd say it was close to 18-20lbs.. But what a battle she gave and I was to happy to flip the net and watch her slipped down.. LOL,, at that point I sorta felt like one of the Grumpy old men when they released Catfish Hunter.. Ha!
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Way to go Don, that must have been a blast, most of us can only dream about catching a cat that big. I'm sure that fish made your day, did you call it quits after that battle? WH2
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Congratulations on your catch. I'm glad to hear you released the catfish. Keep the reports coming.
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great job sounds like a blast
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That is sweet Don. Congrats on the nice catch, and thanks for letting her go back for some spawning action. It's hard to turn a fish like that loose, but I think you did the right thing. Good luck on your next trip.
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[cool]Too bad you didn't get any proof...I mean pictures[  ]. Maybe next time. Sounds like it was a blast, though.
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Thanks guys.. It was a blast and the best kitty I've hooked into in a couple years. If she had already spawned out I might have thought twice about kickin her back. Maybe I'll get luckly and run into her again while bumping the bottom for eyes soon. But hey, its was blast playing tug of war with her from the tube! Man I cant wait to tangle with a decent Mackadoo from a tube, possibly next weekend! And you can better the farm I'll have my big scales and camera with me. HA!
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[cool][blue][size 1]Roadrunners from a float tube. What a great idea! Why haven't I ever thought of that?[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Congrats on your big fishie, Don. I'll bet you had to have your grin surgically removed after that one.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I am also betting that a big part of the reason you let mama go is that you realize the best eaters are the smaller ones. Whatever the reason, you are a noble guy...no matter what everybody says about you.[/size][/#0000ff]
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Nice report! I'm headed out that way tomorrow morning. If any of you see a geeky looking guy on a maroon pontoon, don't be shy. I like meeting fellow BFTers. Now I just need to find out where in the heck the access is to launch by the "L." Is there a gated fence to go through?
Happy fishing!
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I could only imagine a 25 lb + mack from a tube. I hope you get into one, and dont get dragged too far in your tube, i want to hear that story!! ]
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Sounds like fun, I've yet to get intonthe kitties yet this year but I'm looking forward to it.
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Again, thanks guys. She was a hoot to dance with on the water..
BTW Pat,, who gave away your closely guarded secret that Roadrunners, in one form or another, seem to work well on about any fresh water fishie??! I known of some guy out near the L draggin one around Sunday popping Whites, Channels, and Muddies. Whats more, I think he was on the hunt for Eye's with em! Can you imagine that?!? Man he must be a total doofus! But your right ya know, those smaller kitties are the best eaters. Altho' there is something strange about them as they grow old. They seem to taste as ugly and nasty as they look. Ha!
Grin? What grin? [cool]
POLO.. never fear,, if I happen upon one thats big enough to tug me along for any distance I'll do one of two things. Either toss out the dragchute,, or,, take advantage of it and troll for Kokes! Heck,, I'm just crazy enough to try both!
(~~~~Note to self; Before actually tangling with a big doo from the float tube be sure the second, and if possible, the third battery for the Kota is onboard. Whats more, be sure and do this before you leave the shoreline because you'll be wantin' dinner about dark, and,, it probably sucks to sleep in a float tube for any length of time. P.S.,, write this down and staple it to the bill on your cap so you might see it!~~~)
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