Trophy fish

[Guest]

For some reason, I get the biggest fish when I am not fishing for that species...

here's what I mean: I got a 30 inch Walleye fishing Crappies in August.

I got a 20 lb Pike fishing Crappies...

I caught a 7 lb Laregmouth Bass fishing, yes again, Crappies....

When I target those species I get more average size fish, but when I have 4 lb test line and a 1/32 oz jig on....well you get the point.

Do you guys (and gals) think it is more exciting getting a trophy fish when you are targeting that species? Or is it more fun when you catch a Photo Taker by "accident"?

lets here some opinions and some big fish stories.

thanks

PCG

[hydro]

I think that it's much more exciting to catch something large when I'm actually fishing for it. An example is on the Rainy River when walleye fishing and I tie into a sturgeon. They are huge and just don't come up and ultimately take up a lot of valuable time.

I think that the anticipation of catching a lunker that I'm fishing for builds the excitement level so that when I first see the fish it's a bigger thrill.

[perchpro]

I think catching bonus fish is only exiting when you are fishing for panfish because when you are fishing for walleye and you catch a fat perch, it is boring. but if you are fishing for perch and you catch a walleye it is exiting...get my point.

[smallies24]

For me, it depends. If I'm using light tackle for panfish and hook into something else, it's a blast. This summer I caught and released a northern close to 40" while using 6 lb test for largemouth. It took awhile to get him to the boat, but it was a blast listening to the drag on my Stradic scream! I also caught a Northern about the same size on heavy tackle, but it was much more satisfying on the light tackle, it's more of a challenge as I see it.

[fishinphyl]

I'm not proud - I would take a big one anytime I could catch it!

------------------
Phyl

[Guest]

Heck,its a bigger thrill for me to catch a huge fish on tackle that is not designed for the fish.And yes it seems to happen to me a lot.It seems I never catch what I am after!
My biggest channel cat came while fishing for walleye,a very long worth while battle.Some of my biggest walleye have come while fishing for crappies.Those big mammas just keep getting in the way when crappie fishing.I actually have a new strategy for fishing,pretend I am fishing for something else

[Toad]

Sounds to me like you need to be fishing itty-bitty jigs and light line more often-- no matter the species you're "targeting!"

Think if a guy would force himself to fish nothing but a 1/32-oz marabou jig or twistertail on 4-lb test line all year, he'd probably amaze himself with the fish.

-a friend called Toad

[Guest]

The appeal for me of walleyes is to target them and then catch them. They are not great fighters, but there's satisfaction in the chase.

I've hooked muskies by mistake, but it is less satisfying than a follow when actually hunting muskies.

I even target ciscoes in Green Lake (WI) and get a kick out of succeeding. For me, the satisfaction is in using the presentation best suited for the target species.

[Surface Tension]

I feel the same way as Clayton.
If Im not targeting that species its a fluke. A nice fluke but still a fluke. I didnt always feel this way.
A fish that once made your weekend now is just a big smile as you slid her back into the water.
Its sportsmens evolution. After you spend enough time on the water you will get there. Peace all,

[Guest]

I took my little cousin out fishing with me for crappies this season. We were catching crappies in 15 feet of water and she hooked onto a 15-20 pound northern. She was so excited she didn't know what to do. She kept reeling as her pole was bent down to the ice. Needless to say, she lost the big northern and she was heartbroken. About 10 minutes later, she landed a 27 inch walleye. And yes this was all fishing for crappies. I guess those big fish just like smaller baits sometimes!

She forgot about the big northern after that.

Kupcho's Guide Service
Blackduck, MN

[Guest]

A couple of summers ago I was fishing with my brother-in-law. We were on a small lake casting for northerns in a bay. After not much luck I switched rods and tossed out a beatle spin looking for a crappie. Second cast I hooked a 5 lb northern, which proceded to take me into the weeds. By the time I landed the fish I had almost completly opened up my hook. We landed several northerns each on that outing but I only really remember the one I wasn't going after.