Lucky #13

After putting in many many hours this spring, I’ve managed to put quite a few fish in the boat, but none that I would consider a quality fish (biggest was about 23lbs). My threshold of a quality fish starts at 40″ or 30lbs. I knew it was just a matter of time, but you just never know how long that might be. My time finally came last night with a fun night on the River with Larry and Shamu.

It was a great night much to my surprise, as all week they were saying storms late Sat.

We started by chasing a few channels earlier in the day and had a few runs on, but no fish in the boat.

Next it was time to fire up the grill for some “Poor man’s Lobster” and Morels, before prime time was upon us…yummy.

After letting the grub settle a bit it was time to move to our night spot in hopes of putting the first flat in Shamu’s boat.

We did that and then some.

Larry broke the ice with a nice 15lber.

and again he smacks another nice one with this one coming in at 17lbs.

After that there was a lull in the action as we watched the storms passing to the direct south of us on our mobile phone radar (I don’t leave home with out it).

I got to thinking about Hanson’s theory about big fish biting on the edges of these storms fronts and hoping that it might happen again tonight.

One thing I’ve learned about fishing at night is to expect everything. I’m glad I brought some warmer clothes. We went from temps in the mid 80’s in the late afternoon to mid to low 40’s toward the end of the night…..brrrr.

About midnight my pole gave me that sharp tap and fast zing of the clicker, grabbed the pole and felt for the telltale tug tug, set the hook and the battle was on! After a short battle, this one made it’s way to the boat. Not a monster, but a “quality” fish.

Lucky #13

42″x27″ and 38.5lbs

As we were celebrating and taking pics, etc. I hear this “kerploosh”….followed by an excited “that was my pole!”

Shamu has his rod holders mounted on rails on his boat, and the one he had his new 6500 combo in had a run as we were celebrating…. a run so hard that it rotated the holder on the rail and pulled the rod right out

Bitter sweet ending to my fish. Seems that every big fish Larry is associated with has it’s consequences

Thanks again guys….fun as always!

LOL, I just found your article elsewhere. Nice fish. Looks like a fun way to spend the day.

Shamu, you have my condolences. That would have sucked.

Big fish big gear Shamu! It’s funny those sturgeon didn’t give you a heads up on the rod holders. Did you guys get the rod back?

Nice fish…and even better evening with friends!

PS Larry, the headlamp goes on top of the hat.

I have my rod holders on a rail too.
Try putting some horse wrap (aka Coban) around the rail and then clamp the rod holder onto it.

Great story! Shamu’s boat is cool! Did you guys get any video?

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Great story! Shamu’s boat is cool! Did you guys get any video?

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In due time

Was that the famed rod and reel setup in the first picture that the flats caught? You know they have it mounted over there flathead fireplace mantle down below in that hole.

Great tip RB.

Where’s the video!?

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Great tip RB.

Where’s the video!?

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Funny thing….turns out that when you mix a long day with a meal and a few adult beverages, there tends to be some “raw verbal emotions” when a nice fish is hooked and tape is rolling

I will either try to clean it up, or just put in on my YouTube site and let people find it themselves

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Was that the famed rod and reel setup in the first picture that the flats caught? You know they have it mounted over there flathead fireplace mantle down below in that hole.

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Yep, that’s the last known photo of the MIA Fallen Comrod May it RIP

Don’t spose you could add music and cut out the voice…something like…um dualing banjo’s??

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Was that the famed rod and reel setup in the first picture that the flats caught? You know they have it mounted over there Flathead fireplace mantle down below in that hole.

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Yep, that’s the last known photo of the MIA Fallen Comrod May it RIP

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We might have to send out a rescue mission, the comrod might be a POW in the great Cat Battle….. Some Monster using the rod as a toothpick.
Shamu…. you have my condolences. I thought you were gonna go after the rod, had it been daylight, we both probably would have plunged in. As I and Dtro mentioned. Anytime I have had a run in with a fish that is over 38lbs. In all but once…The fish gods exercise thier powers. by taking a toll on my equipment in the form of breaking equipment… Usually its the rod that caught the fish…. IN this instance the wild card was Shamu being the magnet.. I suspect since it was on his boat and this was the first outing with Flatheads boated. His rod and reel were forfeit….. Jeez I never new us flat guys could be so superstitious.

Dtro,
Heck of a nice fish, More than glad to be present to see you boat your First “Quality” fish of the season.

Shamu,
Thanks for taking us out on your boat mate, Once we got settled in on our last spot, Your rig was a first class kicked back, fish catching, easy riding time.

To the rest of you.
I hope DTRO can do some sound editing it is a very good video. Though I suspect that we might being doing the viewing on Utube….

Well I was able to clean it up and it turned out pretty good!
Flatty Video

How’s the tongue Larry? Nice job on the video. She was a beaut!

That was a good time to be there when they caught those fish. The part that sucked was the lost rod and reel. Great job on the video Darren and Larry. Great fun had by all. The pole was the one that I caught the Sturgeon on. That really sucks.

Great Fish Guys!!!!! Looks like you hada lot of fun out there!

Nice fish and video Darren, was just wondering if there is something between big fish and Power Pro hats? Sorry for your loss Shamou, and you didn’t even catch a fish that night

NO fish but I still had fun. That was the reel that I bought from you this spring. Now I am in need of a new one. I will probably be stopping down in the next couple of week to purchace a new one. I think that I will need to see if I can find the same rod though. We still had fun.