Rookie lands a nice one!

[DTro]

Rumor has it that one of the "new guys" tied in to a nice fish a while ago. If he wasn't hooked already.....I'm sure he is now.

Can't wait to hear the whole story.....

[harvey lee]

Sounds like I need to get out and crank up one of these bigger flatties.

[Larry FlatCaster]

Ahhhh B.A.

this would be you. Newbie.... Lets upgrade him to rookie.

Good news travels fast.....You should have received photos (5pic.) Ring me if there is a problem.

Awesome Job Mate.

thanks

Larry

[aanderud]

Newbie? Surely I must count as an old timer by now. I mean, I have been out cattin 5 times now, 3 in the last 8 days!

Met LFC at the landing at 6:30 or so. Checked a couple creeks out on the way to some logjams we'd both been eyeing up. I had heard about and read about fishing near logs, but my previous 4 outings had all been by creeks, so this was new to me.

Chucked out some cut sucker, looking for a channel cat while it was early. I've a bad memory, but it musta been about 7:45 when we had our first hit. I set the hook on what was a decent fish -- felt bigger than a 25 inch flathead but smaller than a 37 incher. Not sure what it was because he unhooked about 15 seconds later. I don't know, I will probably switch away from those particular hooks, the gap between the shank and the barb seems too small. Larry showed me some cooler ones, and he even gave me a few for next time! Thanks!

Next, we moved to a second log/snag area that looked prime. It was getting a bit later and the cutbait had to give way to some livelier bait. We threw bullies out there and waited through some on and off showers. Sure enough, about 9:00 I got more clicker! Hooked into him hard (no circle hook this time) and the fight was on. He pulled into some wood and at one point I was sure he was a goner, but he made his way out with a little coaxing. A couple minutes later and my dog was staring face to face with a 43x26 inch flathead. It weighed 35 lbs. My biggest yet! What a brute! Fun to catch, and even better is that he's back in the river to catch again during cat league one night

Went to another spot later, a creek for the late bite, and sure enough, Larry got cicker there! So 3 'got clicker' events on 3 spots, with one huge fish boated! A great night to be on the river, and great company as well. Thanks for showing me around, Larry! Larry was full of gems -- gave me some good tips on how to gear up for these fish, general night-fishing advice, river tips, and all around good conversation! We'll have to do it again sometime!

[PierBridge]

Anybody out in that weather deserves a nice fish.

Congrats.

[DTro]

That's awesome man!

Way to go. You got a 20 and 30...you know what's next.

[Larry FlatCaster]

Nice fish Mate!!!

Old timer will have to wait..... For a little while yet, we don't want to go into details about that

Keep working it. League and contests are the time to make it count.

By the way I will be hoping that you will be signing up for Moores contest in the next two weeks. I can help find you a partner. If you need.

thanks for being capt. last night.

Again.. Nice fish Mate

LFC

[DTro]

perhaps "newbie" was a bit harsh title edited

[Mike Steckelberg]

great job and nice fish...

[Shack]

aanderud,

Great fish!

[hanson]

Nice fish man!

It has taken me 3 years to "finally" land a 30 pound class flat. I've caught plenty in the 20s, and one BIG surpise at 48lbs, but those 30s have been elusive for me.

40+ lb fish don't come that easily. I'm convinced you can put your time in, fish "good" spots, but the fact of the matter is luck plays a big role in a big one biting. You have to be at the right spot, at the right time, when the big one calls your number.

[DTro]

I just noticed this, but your dog looks a little po'd that your giving that ugly thing a such a loving bear hug

[Larry FlatCaster]

Quote:

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I just noticed this, but your dog looks a little po'd that your giving that ugly thing a such a loving bear hug

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Jack (the dog) was as pumped as we were to have a fish on. I thought the Lab was going to go in after the cat and land it himself. Brian did you get the vid clips?

You can hear us trying to get the dog out of the way. It was pretty comical.

[aanderud]

Jack the lab loves fishing even more than hunting. I have to say, Larry, he's usually more well behaved, if we're just hanging out in a park or something. But the boat/water/sticks/fish/bullheads/etc make him soooooo excited! He wanted me to tell you that so you don't think he's always that bull-headed.

Hey, I didn't reall mind the 'newbie' tag, but 'rookie' sounds better! LOL. Hey is anyone out there in the rain?

Not me, working on the boat a wee bit tonight and taking it easy. Going to install a couple rod holders. Oh yeah, and re-bolt on the spare tire mount, one of the nuts vibrated loose, so today I went out and got a replacement plus some lock washers. Can't believe there weren't lock washers on there in the first place! Oh yeah, and I'm gonna rerig my lines with beads between the sinkers and the knots, my knots are getting chewed up pretty bad and I don't feel like losing a fish for that reason! Thanks for the tip, Larry!

[DARK30]

I can tell by the look on your face...you won't be a rookie for long

[aanderud]

Quote:

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40+ lb fish don't come that easily. I'm convinced you can put your time in, fish "good" spots, but the fact of the matter is luck plays a big role in a big one biting. You have to be at the right spot, at the right time, when the big one calls your number.

---

I would guess that the 40+ flathead in MN is sorta like the 10+ walleye. Sure, if you put time in on the right spots, you will catch plenty of 8-9 pound walleyes. But can you catch 10+? 11+? They are much rarer. On the other hand, you might be in the right spots at the right times and get on the safari board twice in one week! (Kyle )

I will not be holding my breath for the 40+, and I'm definitely not taking any flatheads for granted. I was just about as stoked to get the 24 and 25 inchers this weekend with my wife, because I know for a fact that 6-7 pound flathead was the biggest fish she's ever caught! Each one is something different!

[Larry FlatCaster]

Quote:

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Jack the lab loves fishing even more than hunting. I have to say, Larry, he's usually more well behaved, if we're just hanging out in a park or something. But the boat/water/sticks/fish/bullheads/etc make him soooooo excited!

He wanted me to tell you that so you don't think he's always that bull-headed.

---

I have to say that fishing with Jack was fun. Right up there with my 3.5 year old son. My only beef was when the pooch was tipping my cans over and slurping up my suds. LOL. As far as dogs go. He listened. Heck you can't blame him for getting as pumped as we were. You got a good fishing partner, Now you just got to train him to start sniffing out those big kitties. Then you will really have it going on.

Next time get some pics of him playing clean up crew on the cut bait.