Big cat in the "Fish Bowl"

[AtticaFish]

Buddy and i took the yaks to the big Fish Bowl today early morning. Was disapointed to see an algae bloom in progress... radioactive looking green chunks floating everywhere. Cool air and warm water made for some interesting fog, i completley lost site of my fishing partner a few times.

Was hoping to bring home a few catfish or bluegill for dinner but the fishing was dramaticaly different than our last few trips up there. Really had to work for the few bites we got. We both threw tied jigs but nothing was co-opperating and ended up using chunks of crawlers (or whole) on plain jig heads. Both of us got a big fish on UL gear that made it worth the paddeling!

My friend landed a nice smallmouth. Didn't get a size on it but we both are guessing 16+ inches. Caught on a jig/nightcrawler thrown up to the rocks.

I hooked into a catfish on 4lb. line. Soon as it hit it headed for the bottom and stayed there for a long time with my rod doubled over and pulling line. Pulled the yak all over and even up into the wind which i thought was pretty impressive - i was just along for the ride. Went 29 inches and had one hell of a gut. This was on a shot i crimped onto a #8 mustad jig hook and whole nightcrawler.

 

[Ron Don]

Holy crap! I bet that dude did test your gear! What's that sucker been eating???

 

[ScottV]

Man, that's a nice one! I bet that was fun.

 

[Radtexan]

What a kittie !!! Nice job guy's.

 

[Jig Man]

Nice pictures Russ and a couple of great fish....:icon14:

 

[CrappieHappy]

nice...

 

[Fatman]

That had to have been fun!!!!!! You're trying to pull him in and he's dragging your kayak around!!!!

Nice fish!!!!!!

 

[Hawnjigs]

Holy catfish! A whole crawler on a #8?!

 

[AtticaFish]

Was a fun day... can't beat being on the water at sunrise and seeing the mist roll like that. The fish were just icing.

RD - Alot of the smaller cats that we keep and clean from this lake have stomachs packed full of the green algae. Not sure if they are actually eating it or just eating it along with bugs that are hiding in it. :huh: If this one was on a vegetarian diet, can't imagine how many years it would take to get this large!

Doc - Both fish were catch and release. I keep alot of smaller ones from here for the smoker. Don't catch alot of them this size from the lake and was happy to see such a healthy fish. I'll catch him again someday.

Hawn - Haha!! It did look pretty comical. I had been getting some bites on a crawler harness using a full worm, so gave it a shot on a jig. There is one other reservoir nearby that i use the jig/crawler (1/32 or 1/16 - #8) alot for yellow perch and you have to use at least half a worm threaded on the hook to get bites. End up getting alot of stollen worms, but just don't get bit using smaller pieces.

 

[Weight Forward]

I was paddling circles around Attica, in the other yak, while he was fighting that hog and it was very cool! I was a pretty good distance away when he hooked it, but I got close enough to watch as quickly as I could. I don't know about him, but I was worrying the whole time that his line was going to snap and we'd never see what it was. Not many things can be more frustrating than that. However, I knew if it was even possible to land the fish on 4 lb test, Attica could do it. Was an awesome day all around. Right to the end when we had an Osprey circle over us, which is not a common sight around here. I'm ready to do it again! Thanks to Attica for letting me borrow a yak! I need to invest in one soon.

 

[Jig Man]

Welcome to the forum from west texas weight forward... Good to have ya aboard!!!

 

[AtticaFish]

I don't know about him, but I was worrying the whole time that his line was going to snap and we'd never see what it was.

Didn't think we would get to see it, i had 3 scenarios in my head at that time - either the line breaks, the pole breaks or get leaning too far over looking for the fish and go for a swim! haha! Oh yeah, need to get up there again.... maybe the crappie start up soon for some fall action.

 

[Weight Forward]

Thank you Jig Man!
I thought I was going for a swim on the first bite I had. I guess I thought I was setting the hook on a muskie and not a 12" bass. It took about 3-4 good rocks back n forth to get the yak settled. lol! I learned quick that I didn't need to set the hook so hard.
That reminded me of something else. When I showed the wife the pics Attica emailed me she said, "Oh how cute! You're wearing life jackets!" I said. "CUTE?!! Well hell yes we were!" Two days later I saw this article in the paper and HAD to show her. This guy was NOT wearing his life jacket on our Big Lake and he is gone now. However, his dog WAS wearing one and is still alive!:/

 

[LedHed]

Excellent catch AF - congrats on the CPR

 

[Weight Forward]

ugh! helps to remember to paste the link you're referring to!

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/euc...ssing-ohio-kayaker-found-dead-lake-erie-shore

 

[Lost Pole]

Awesome picture work. How do you do that fancy zoom thingy? Those yaks look much more comfortable than my pirogue.
Looks like good buddy time with a catch to remember.