Super Sunday Laker!

[John19]

Well guys, talk about a SUPER SUNDAY! Fished Williams Fork last sunday and caught a dozen lakers between 8-1 o'clock, including a beautiful 34incher !

It felt like any other fish that I'd been catching till about 10ft below the ice. Then she got alittle heavier. Had her coming up to the hole, then about 2ft under, it turned, and I saw this log pass by across the hole. It was right then when I got that sinking " Oh S***" feeling. It dove straight down, and I losened the drag alittle more, and the battle was on! I have no idea how long I fought it, but it really did seem like forever. I'm guessing a good 10-15 minutes. I really had a difficult time getting it to come up the hole, I didn't want to force it since I was using light line (6lb vanish). When I finally got the guts and made my move, she came right up. I swear I could of put my whole hand in it's mouth, I'll never forget that moment.

This is by far the largest fish I've ever caught in Colorado, and perhaps ever. Throw out a couple of carp and ocean fish, and I'm sure it is. And wouldn't you just know it, I didn't have my camera ! My wife had it cause she was going skiing with the kids.

Once I had her out, I was just numb, I didn't know what to do next. After a few quick screams, and probably the funniest dance you've ever seen, I measured it, and released her. My left hand was frozen, and my entire body was shaking. I was absolutly amazed at what just happened!

A couple of details: 40 ft of water, right of the bottom. 4inch white tube jig, with sucker meat. 34inches, probably between 13-15lbs. 6lb vanish on a 28in. Med/light rod. 9:45 a.m. Dan Dan, it wasn't quite at your spot. The last two time I've been there, the snow was pretty deep, so I didn't make it all the way. I stopped right in front of where the fence ends, up on the hill, just past the out-houses. In fact, I was just getting ready to move cause the fishing had slowed. I left the rods out while I drilled a couple of new holes about 40yds away. When I got back to the rods, I gave it a couple of last minute twitches, when it hit. I think it will take a while before someone can chistle this grin off my face .

Later, John

[Chewy]

John,

I got excited just reading your account of the catch. That first big laker is really a thrill. I've been blessed over the past 10 years and have caught 8 macks at 34 inchs or over and I still shake like a leaf and still scream and do a fish dance as well. I'm so happy for you!! Hopefully this will be the first of many. It's always tougher when you don't have anyone to take a picture of you holding the fish. I've had to take a number of pictures of big fish laying on the ice with a rod next to the fish to reference its size before I release them. Most of my fish that were around 34 inchs weighted between 15 and 19lbs. There is a formula that you can use if you don't have a scale and plan on releasing the fish. Measure the length and the girth of the fish. Take the length of the fish times the girth squared (times 2) and divide that by 3000 and that will give you a very close approximation of weight. Be sure to use a cloth tape measure to make the measurements easier. A metal tape will freeze to the side of the fish if its really cold. If you had taken a picture or you had a witness you could have applied for a Colorado Master Angler award in the Catch and Realese catagory. They give you a nice certificate signed by Robin Knox with the Division of Wildlife and a real nice embriodered patch for your jacket. Congratulations John.

[John19]

Actually, I have two people that were there, that I was fishing with. They were a quarter to a half mile away. We had walkie talkies that we communicated with,(till I dropped mine in the snow!) and they saw me hold it up. This is really only my 2nd year fishing for lakers, and I'm hooked. They are absolutly a blast! I can't wait to get our boat out on Williams Fork. I hear the pike there are incredible. Come spring though, it's back to walleyes for me!

John

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

All right John. Congrats on the fish. I had one on Saturday, but lost her. Didn't get a chance to see her. It was a little slow on Saturday Fished from sun up, to sun down an caught about 25. I'll have to get back up there soon. I know there are bigger ones in there. Did you see the picture in the Sunday Post? Big Mac through the ice a Blue Mesa.

Dan

[zman7]

Congrats John!

I think it is time I take up the Mac passion. What a great achievement on 6 pound Vanish...even without the light line it is a great achievement...again congrats...We are so blessed in this state with so many different species to chase...too many directions to go...spring is coming...the afore mentioned walleyes you brought up...spring is coming...Chatfield just opened to boating again...I think it has a better population of walleyes than many of the lakes I grew up fishing in Minnesota...Trinidad, Horseshoe, Martin lakes are going to start popping early in the south followed by North Sterling for more walleyes and wipers...John I see you are from Greeley, my friend Dennis that I primarily fish with is from Greeley...where do you like to fish for walleyes up north...we stick primarily to Lonetree...we have only caught a few and a couple of wipers...it is a tough nut to crack...have you had any luck there...have you ever fished Carter for walleyes?...it would be interesting to compare notes on different areas we like for walleyes...

[Don In Denver]

Quote:

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Take the length of the fish times the girth squared (times 2) and divide that by 3000 and that will give you a very close approximation of weight.

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The formula I have always used is length (in inches) x girth (in inches) x girth divided by 800. The formula is pretty accurate for bigger fish. I've taken the measurements from several fish that I also weighed, then ran the calculation and compared the result to the known weight. In each case the two weights were very close.

[Chewy]

I stand corrected. The folmula I referred to was wrong as Don pointed out. I meant to say (girth in inches X girth in inches X length in inches) divided by 800. Thanks for pointing out my mistake Don. Here are other formula's for other spiecies.....I promise they're right. Pike(length X length X length) divided by 3500..Walleye (length X length X length) divided by 2700...Bass (length X length X length) divided by 1600.....Bluegill (length X length X length) divided by 1200. All of these formula's will result in reasonable approximations.

[lucky7]

John:

AWESOME! I have been out of the loop a little lately. My heart was pounding just thinking about you battling that fish. The great thing about not having a camera is that nothing can take that memory from you. Great job!

[John19]

Ain't that the truth Lucky. If you want to catch a big fish, forget your camera! Where have you been hiding lately? haven't heard from you in awhile. Hope all is well. Spring break is coming up next week, time to give the ice one last shot, before trading the auger in for an anchor!

John

[John19]

Zman7, sorry I forgot to answer your reply. We hit Lonetree pretty hard last Spring & Summer. At least 10 times or more. The 1st was in my belly boat, I landed 9 walleyes, and kept going back ever since. Never really caught anything huge, 17.5 the largest, but pretty good numbers. I also caught a NICE 20in. wiper, jigging for eyes that got the heart going abit. Fished Boyd lots, went to North Sterling twice ( 2, 3day trips) Have never really fished chatfield, the crowds seemed to scare me off. I heard there's a graet population of eyes in there. Glendo and Big Mac in Nebraska are a couple I'll hit this spring. I've also heard they catch some decent eyes in Douglas,( just outside of wellington) Would love to fish with you and your friend from Greeley some time!

John

[lucky7]

John:

It's too bad our schools do not have the same Spring Break. I am heading to Grandby area for the break this week. I've pretty busy...getting in at about 8 or 9 every night...Master schedule...You know that boring admin stuff. How was your break? Where did you fish? If it was in the Grandby area and you read this before Sunday the 20th give me a report. We'll have to hit the open water this year. I need to get the boat out more this year.