Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Nice job!  The weather was a little surprising with the rain yesterday!  But, it looks like you guys had a great time.  And Jersey Mikes italian....yeah...that caps a nice day on the water. 
ps. I'm glad I don't trailer a boat anymore.

drxfish wrote:

Eyeing Thursday now.

You will have flood conditions....POR will be over 2'!

It's why I still opt for the kayak....easier to transport.  Having the boat in the boatel is really convenient.  Having it on the dock at a certain time and just taking off.  And returning I just throw the line to tie up and jump in the truck to go home.

But, I understand about having a fishing boat where you can go with a friend or two and anywhere.  That makes the experience 100% better regardless of catching a fish.  The smack talk alone is enough for a big smile.

Wow Ernie!  That is no bueno 100%!

hookup wrote:

Did you see any of the beasts you lost?

Not mine...could have been any other type of river beast.

But we saw Bob's which is why I said it was a beast. Heck of a fish and he fought it for a long time which made it more heartbreaking!

That fish was a beast for sure. I told Ernie I probably wouldn't land her, there's a reason the big fish get big. E. was way more upset than I was. I might go nuts when a 16 incher gets off, but I was just disappointed when she pulled free. I was happy with how I did my part, bend in the rod, drag seemed right, knot held. I got plenty of pullage as she went back and forth around the boat. Just when it seemed she was ready to turn toward the net, the lure flew out of the water and landed in the net. We know where she lives, so looking forward to next time

drxfish wrote:

I find that I tend to go a little heavier in my tackle when I am sure I will be getting into the bigguns.  You need to get them in fairly quick as they know how to get away.

So when do you know?

I appreciate the thinking.

Tournament anglers have a different mindset. They like to surf the fish on top of the water after they've hooked it to get it in the boat quickly. Not for me.

After your post here, maybe keeping a M rod with slightly heavier line on board is the answer. But I know me and I will always stick with the lighter stuff. I think Bob was satisfied with his battle with the beast!

I used to hit the Spot Lock when a big fish was caught on my boat but not any more. I did that to George and he lost a big one because the current was so strong. Now, I just let the boat drift while the fish is being fought. But I will hit the SL if both anglers get one at the same time, in case they are bunched up.

Osprey wrote:

We know where she lives, so looking forward to next time

This read in the wrong context would be a scary thought! hahaha.  Thanks for the morning laugh.  I'm glad you take such a good attitude towards this catch and release concept.  Personally, I think it's a catch because you got it to the boat, saw it, and it "self released."  That's a win!

Even with snakehead I use a 15-30 lbs braid depending on the type of lure I'm throwing, so it really matters on what the fish is hitting on that calls for different types of gear used.

Osprey wrote:

I told Ernie I probably wouldn't land her

You jinxed yourself by saying this. 

Personally, I think it's a catch because you got it to the boat, saw it, and it "self released."  That's a win!

Very good friend's son once said "It don't count until your finger's stank" - kid had a very deep southern twang. 

The sensationalist news folks  would have a field day with that

Kinda goes with the son's saying ;-) above

Tournament anglers have a different mindset. They like to surf the fish on top of the water after they've hooked it to get it in the boat quickly. Not for me.

Ditto

One of the ol' RS'rs would fish for one or two fish a day.  And he'd find them, hook them, and land them.  He would use rod/reel/line just for big fish and when he's fell the tap tap tap of a dink, he wouldn't even set the hook.  Most water has big fish and you just never know when you will  have one jump on your lure.  I tend to get bored when I'm not catching and will downsize - that's been a mistake in the past especially when you hook into the big fish. 

I fish the big river up north with many excellent anglers and most of their gear is upsized from what I use.  MH rods, 2500 to 3000 sized spinning reels, 10-14 pound mono or the equivalent strength in braid or bait casters with 14-20 pound test and MH to H rods.  Smallies are smart in their environment and know how to dive under sharp rocks and ledges which cuts line.  When a big fish jumps, there's always a chance for them to spit the hook.  Lastly big bass tend to have teeth and those teeth will aide in loosing a fish by cutting the line.

I have a theory that at times, a bass will hit a lure and clamp down so hard on the line, that when an angler sets a hook, they are just moving the bass and not actually penetrating the bass' mouth hence they'll spit the lure when the chance arises

I had a day last winter where I swear that was happening. Solid bite, solid hookset, then the fish would just come off two seconds later. Tried switching out jigheads and lures and it didn't matter. Probably happened 10 times that day. Still caught a bunch of fish but it was really frustrating.