Funny thing happened tonight

[DTro]

Was out with a couple of co-workers who were interested in going out and catching whatever we might catch. I told them to throw out a crawler (can't miss). I brought out some cut bait and my cat gear.

We were set up in a decent spot at a creek mouth. Not 10 minutes passed and my cutbait got hit pretty hard, clicker was going good.

I gently "set the hook" on the circle and the thing doesn't budge. I immediatetly think big flathead! The fight was on and the whole time I'm telling these guys that they were in for a treat and they will be very suprised when they see the size of this fish.

Well, I finally get it close to the boat and see the profile, and it looks like a flipping Halibut....what the heck?

Yep......giant snapper

It was hooked in the foot so it was able to not only be heavy, but also put up a good fight.

What a fiasco trying to get my hook back. Still have all my fingers though.

[fiskyknut]

I thought those circle hooks always got 'em in the corner of the mouth!

Did you release it or clean it, many parts are edible!

[CatManLee]

A Halibut...How many beers did ya have?

Glad you realized it was a snapper before trying to grap it with your fingers. I try and stay away from those turtles!

It's funny what comes to a persons mind right away when you see something and aren't sure what it is.

I was driving home the other day after a long day on the lake. I Drove by what myself and my wife could have swore was a porcupine, turned around to take a look, and it was brown grass growing in a clump by the road. The wind was blowing the grass over so it looked like a bunch of long quills. Oh well, you only feel dumb for a couple minutes!

Didn't you get a picture with your catch???

[rushing]

Well were your co-workers impressed?

[DTro]

After further evaluation, it was not a snapper, but a doggone soft shell

Anyways, no they weren't impressed.

[rushing]

I sure woulda been! Getting your hook back from any turtle is a chore!

[mplspug]

Soft shells are very cool turtles. They can extend their necks at least the length of their shell. On a side note, there is a population in Calhoun, however you'll only see them when the females are ready to come ashore. That's the only time I saw them anyway.

[DTro]

I don't know, ugly buggers if you ask me.

Seriously, it kind of resembles a halibut

[rushing]

Is that some sort of tribal turtle tattoo or do all thier bellies look like that?

[vern]

Quote:

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On a side note, there is a population in Calhoun, however you'll only see them when the females are ready to come ashore. That's the only time I saw them anyway.

---

Yep, I saw a monster at Lake of the Isles last Saturday.

[BlackwaterStout]

Me and my cuzz went out Monday night flatheading and after starting out hot with 3 quick flatties in about 30 minutes my cousin caught 2 snapping turtles at the same time. He lit into one and as he got it to the boat his other pole's clicker started roaring. Turned out to be another snapper. The second one was huge and we couldn't lift it out of the water. It had swallowed the hook so we just cut the line. The other was hooked in the lip and was a real chore getting that hook out without loosing a finger. One thing I noticed was how bad those things smell. That really stunk up a storm.