FS Digest

I (27M) went fishing with my dad (58M) this morning. He had driven up to the midwest for my son's first birthday yesterday.

We walked the shore of a small lake with some cheap rods and lures. My dad was using a small rubber swimmer, and I was using a small silver spinner with some weight. I've fished with my dad probably 30 times over my life, and we've only ever caught small panfish and a some bass under 3#. That's what we were hoping for today.

45 minutes in, I got our first bite, and it was a big one. It immediately started taking a ton of line, so I upped the drag a little to make sure I wouldn't run out. In the first 30 seconds, I saw it roll - long and slender with orange-brown and grey scales. I have no idea how to estimate weight on a fish like this, but it was definitely over 3 feet in length.

I knew I was working with cheap line, so I took it as slow as possible. Twice it felt like the line had broken. I shouted in dispair both times only to realize that the fish had just darted toward shore and was still on! It was within 20 ft of shore, and it rolled again - beautiful fish. I could tell it was tiring somewhat. I was making progress toward shore.

Then he kicked hard about 15' out and that's when it happened - the line finally snapped. At first I couldn't tell if he had just changed directions again. Alas, it was all over. It felt like it had taken 20 minutes, but my guess is that it was closer to 5. My heart was crushed. My dad had come over and was cheering me on. But when the dispair left me, and I started to feel elated - so many emotions from the fight, and the excitement of a totally new fishing experience. I can't stop thinking about it! We fished the shoreline for another couple hours without another bite.

After looking at pictures online, I'd guess it was a huge northern pike, or a medium sized musky or grass carp. I don't even know what we would have done if I got it to shore, as we didn't have a net or the experience to grab a fish of this size.

I never thought I'd hook something so large, but now I'm on a mission - I want to find a fish like that again, and seal the deal. I want my son to grow older, so he can be there too. And you'd better believe that I'm bringing heavier line.


by redoran

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Good for you, fishing is a mystery, that is the one of the many joys of it. Had you not had that light line, the mystery fish may not have hit your lure. (line shy) Keep trying buddy!

Fred Loc: Phila. Pa.

Good story! I was Pier fishing with an old timer and hooked something that took me all over a canal until it snapped the line..... I turned and said “Ed, what do you think it was??”
He looked, scratched his head and said, “Definitely a Fish”!!!
You Never know what bites!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

In reference to the "mystery fish", five years ago I was fishing off of the Gulf Shores Fishing Pier, one of the best in the lower 48 states, with live shrimp and I felt a hit. I set the hook and felt what seemed like a mattress, no head shake, very little fight, no long runs, but heavy. I had no idea of what it could be. As I brought the "fish" to the surface I could see that it was a big octopus, about 5' from the tips of it's tentacles. "Now what!" How do I get that puppy up this 28' pier. We had a 36" pier basket net that my buddy slipped under it and brought it up about 1/2 way only to have it crawl off, brake my 20# test bread and sink into the Gulf. So be it. I thought you would enjoy the story. I have gotten more mileage out of it than if I would have landed it.

Fred Loc: Phila. Pa.

Good One!

Whisfish

Why do we always remember the ones that get away better than the ones we catch