Finally !!!

[barrys]

I have been catching and landing some big smallies this past year(big for me anyway) including my PB 4 lb 2 oz. However I have hooked and lost quite a few smallies that were bigger !! Just getting whipped I don't mind admitting. But not on this day. I was fishing an area where I had lost a big smallie that came unbuttoned from a Flap Slap just a few days earlier. I managed to snag a jerkbait in about 4 feet of water. Well I didn't want to disturb the area so I laid my rod down on the deck and picked up another rod as the boat eased into shallow water. As I drifted closer to the bank I picked up my rod and the jerkbait had backed itself out of the rock or stump so I reeled it in. Not wanting to run my T/M I just stayed put and fished a laydown next to the boat running 30 feet or so out into deeper water. I tossed the worm into the middle of the branches. When the worm sank I lifted my rod slightly and it felt mushy "fish or a branch" ?? As I held my rod it moved maybe a half an inch,,,,,I dropped the hammer and the rod doubled over with something heavy ! "Crap it's a big blue cat"" I thought as I have caught some big blues out of this lake on T- rigs. This fish was shaking her head as she surfaced. She was so heavy she couldn't clear the water all she could do was shake her head.All I could think was "Is that a bass"? The fish just looked unreal to me! Enjoy the pics and thanks to Gary at the tackle trap for helping me with tackle and also taking the time to help me understand how to catch these big smallies.

[IlliniDawg01]

Sounds like quite a catch. Can't wait for the pictures.

DaveJ

[barrys]

<a href="http://s946.photobucket.com/user/barrys ... f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad31 ... 38976f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo_zps3638976f.jpg"/></a>

[barrys]

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad31 ... 38976f.jpg

[barrys]

[barrys]

[barrys]

tackle used 6' 10" Cumulus, Core 50MG, 12 lb Tatsu, Sorry for the multiple post guys I still cant think straight

[Tigerbass]

Wow! That's a pig! Congrats.

[IlliniDawg01]

Awesome fish. I've never even seen a SM that big in the wild.

DaveJ

[RMCatchNrelease]

That is a giant smallie! Congratulations.

That moment when you see the fish, knowing it could be a personal best, is an amazing rush. I can remember certain fish like it was yesterday and the first flash I saw in the water that made my blood pump. Would have loved to see that one trying in vain to throw the hooks.

[Ham Solo]

Outstanding! Congrats, man!

That's a smallie of a lifetime. I wouldn't be able to think straight either.

[dragon1]

AWESOME!!!

Congrats on your new PB Smallie!

[Bronzeye]

A sleek, solid fish! You needed good tackle and skill to boat that one!

[maxpowers]

What an amazing fish! That's a true giant smallie. Congrats

[igl00jx]

tackle used 6' 10" Cumulus, Core 50MG, 12 lb Tatsu, Sorry for the multiple post guys I still cant think straight

No need to apologize.
That is a toad of a bronzeback