PB Northern

  • iacanoeguy
    Iowa - Franklin Co
    Posts: 277
    #1276493

    Wife and I went to a local farm pond to see if we could catch something for our first time out. LOTS of little gils swimming around so we had fun with those for awhile. Wife managed to get a 15″ bass, but the big ones swimming around were not interested in what we were offering. I knew the pond had some nice cats so I cut up one of the small gils and hooked it on my big pole and tossed it out. Tried a few spots with nothing. Finally hooked on the last piece and heaved it out and let it sink. I saw the line moving very slowly and figured I had a cat on. It stopped moving so I slowly reeled up the slack and suddenly could feel weight on. I set the hook hard and had a battle. I could see the fish swimming around and yelled to my wife to come help. I said – gosh, it looks to be 3 feet long. When I finally got it close enough to the dock I could see it was a HUGE northern. Every time it saw the dock, it peeled off more line. Wife called the owner of the pond asking if he had a net. He came to my rescue with a small net, but better than nothing. I think the fight was about 15 mins, and of course it had swallowed my hook. When I went to grab it it did manage to give me a nip and soon both thumbs are bleeding all over. Measured out at 38″ but has to be the FATTEST northern I have ever seen. Book says 38″ at 15 lbs, but as you can see, this is a fat one. I am guessing close to 20. When I released it, it swam away fine and the owner check the pond this morning, NO floating northern, so I think all is well. Picture is from cell phone, she cut my head off, but GOT THE FISH!!!

    Ralph Wiggum
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 11764
    #1052579

    That’s a tank! Nice catch. Sounds like a great pond to fish.

    Sharon
    Moderator
    SE Metro
    Posts: 5475
    #1052587

    Congrats on the PB!

    Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    #1052599

    Congrats on your personal best & good job on the release!

    john23
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 2582
    #1052607

    Nice fish and nice release!!

    bigpike
    Posts: 6259
    #1052625

    Nice tanker, she is a fatty….

    swlund
    Cuba City, WI
    Posts: 395
    #1052736

    Nice fish. Surprised there are still small gills in the pond with that beast swimming around.

    rdwheeler
    Hudson WI
    Posts: 204
    #1052814

    Exactly what I was thinking! Nice catch and release.

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    #1052825

    I’m always amazed at he different coloration of species. That gal is really dark green…I know could be the light…but still looks dark.

    Congrats on the PB!

    iacanoeguy
    Iowa - Franklin Co
    Posts: 277
    #1053030

    Quote:


    I’m always amazed at he different coloration of species. That gal is really dark green…I know could be the light…but still looks dark.

    Congrats on the PB!


    I was also amazed at how dark it was. This pond is VERY clear and I had always thought that made lighter colored fish. I think there area so many gills that the bass, northern and cats just can’t keep up. It is my go-to spot for pan fishing in the winter.

    Jack Naylor
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 5668
    #1053272

    Very nice pond Northern
    Jack

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