After work trip with my buddy. We caught 10+ fish averaging between 27-32". Brought home two that met the slot (22" and 23") as well as a flounder. Perfect Friday afternoon.

by zwillc92

I’ll go first. I caught a bluegill with lefter roasted sweet potato once lol

by limer124

Is it worth bleeding a trout? I’ve read that it improves the meat quality. I’ve never done it before and I’m not picky like that, but does it make that much of a difference? I mean, it’s easy enough to do. Is it worth it?


by Mattmatt1910

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