Fish of a lifetime!..........again

[DTro]

Only in my dreams did I imagine myself catching a fish that rivaled my personal best that I caught a few years ago that was around 54lbs.

I guess lighting can strike twice.

Finally mananged to find some time to get out in the boat with WWG. He's put a lot of big fish in his boat this year, and I was thinking that something good had to happen if we got out together. Well, it sure did.

We hit a spot that we both knew big fish were around, it was just a matter of being in the right spot at the right time.

As we approached our spot, there was another boat nearby and we politely asked if it was alright to set up nearby them. Without a second thought, they agreed. I tossed a large chunk of cutbait where I thought the big girls would be hanging out, and we kicked back and talk'd with the other boat for a while.

About 8:30, my baitrunner slowly started going out, no rod tap or bump, just a slow steady pull, strange I thought, WWG said, "that could be a fish".

I gently loaded up the rod to let the circle hook do its thing. I felt the weight of something heavy, but that's it. I had a ton of line out, so I start doing the reel pump, reel pump thing. No head shakes whatsoever. Aw, a big log had log had washed downstream and caught my rig I thought and announced it to everyone. I joked around with WWG and the other boat saying how I just wish the log would give me one pump back, even pumped my rod myself a few times to make it look good......nothing.

We were set up on sharp drop off that was very rocky. When your bait was near the boat you really had to hold the rod up and crank fast as to not get hung up. As the log got closer, that is all I could think about and how I was going to have to retie. Sure enough, as soon as the log approached the boat it stopped. I said, "here we go, break off time. I guess we don't get to see the trophy log". I jerked my rod a few times.....hoping to break free. Then it happened.

It tugged back....hard. My exact words were, "OH MY GOD, THIS IS A FISH!"

My heart started racing, and the excitement grew. I looked at the other boat and said, "this is a monster, a 40 for sure".

I grabbed the camera so WWG could catch my excitement, I'm so glad I did, because it is captured nothing but raw emotion.

The fish went upstream, downstream, then showed itself and I just about wet myself. It made a couple more short runs and slid nicely into the net bag held out perfectly by WWG.

At that point, I slumped into my chair and said, "are you kidding me!?"

We did a double team hoist into the boat, removed the net and couldn't believe it when it covered the entire middle bench seat. We lined it up on the 48" ruler and did a double take as it spilled over the edge of the ruler!

Measured the girth and tossed it on the scale.

48"x30" and 52lbs!

The size of this fish kind of makes me second guess my previous PB as it was only 46" (didn't get girth).

Either way, both are pretty big fish.

I'd like to say thanks to the boat that allowed us to set up nearby, we didn't get your names, but I have a feeling we'll be hearing from you.

Also I'll probably be posting some pics tonight, but I need to chew on this a bit. One cannot mistake where we were, and with the BP contest coming up, I'd really like to protect this big fish for a while, so as much as I'd like to share it I might hold on to the video for a bit, and the pics will be altered as need be.

I probably could have squeezed another half an inch out of the length and girth to assure myself an upgrade for KOTC, especially with another teammate in the boat, and it was over 48" easily, but I don't roll that way

[Tyler Holm]

Awesome story and congrats on the big one man! I can't wait for the pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[Dan Thiem]

Yea baby! That's what I'm talking about! WhooHooo!

Not so patiently waiting.....(picture)

[wastewaterguru]

I was happy to be the net boy for ya on that one Darren.

I caught two channels and missed three hook sets that were surely flats. It's too bad I couldn't back up your 52 with a 40 plus of my own.....now that would have been amazing.

[harvey lee]

Congrats Darren.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Way to go! Can't wait to see a photo!

[hanson]

Bet you wish you caught it at night so you could post the photo and video without fear of repercussions.

I would guard the evidence with your life. LOL!

[Shack]

DTRO<

Great story. Congrats!!!

The way you told it, got my heart racing alittle. I understand about the pics, but I can not wait to see them. We need some visual moto like we had last spring with Hansons pic's

Sure has been slow around here as of late

[wastewaterguru]

The photos are not nearly as awesome as the video I took.

Not sure the video will ever be released any time soon for obvious reasons.

I sent Darren the photos I had on my camera and edited them for him. I wanted him to post them though....

Broad daylight.......cutbait......deep water......and I am with "dturtle"

I thought for sure we had a flying saucer on the end of the line.

I fished that spot 6 times or so in July, and I got a dozen or so small fish in the boat that I caught...and the guys I took out there all got the bigger ones (25 plus pounds).....except for Gary who couldn't seem to get into any big ones.......sorry Gary.

And as usual...I was the bridesmaid, not the bride.

Somebody please throw me the bouquet.

[Duffman]

Congrats dtro! As much as I would like to see a pic or video of the beast, I applaud your unwillingness to post them. It's tough to hold back posting pics, but I understand your worries about the preservation of the fish, and you should be commended on that as much as the catch of said fish. Awesome fish dude!

One of these days I'd like to hitch a ride with you, Hanson, or WWG, just to get a feel for the river before I ever take my boat out there. I'd ask Dark30, but he's one of them hippie (wearing ) shore monkeys. Maybe next year?

[hanson]

Quote:

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One of these days I'd like to hitch a ride with you, Hanson, or WWG, just to get a feel for the river before I ever take my boat out there.

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Anytime man.

But the way I see it, you'll want to fish with WWG since all his passengers catch BIG FISH, except when I fish with him.

With the way the river is now, you'll definitely get a feel for it. You'll feel every log, rock, stump, sandbar, etc.

[hanson]

When I was out with Darren the other night, I caught a nice little channel cat and took a really, really sweet photo.

I told Darren when we took the photo that it was for me.

I would love to show it, but...

[PierBridge]

I wouldn't second guess your other monster Dtro length is just a peice of the puzzle the Girth throughout the length of the fish "head to Tail" determines the overall weight.

Quote:

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....except for Gary who couldn't seem to get into any big ones.......sorry Gary.

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I hoping the 2 feet of slack water you make me cast into while your on Current seems with deep water nearby will produce for me eventually....

I'm not complaining doing quite well on Big flats this year...

[wastewaterguru]

I had three good runs last night in the 2 foot of slack water. I had one on for 10 seconds or so before he came unzipped and it felt big.

All the big fish caught there were in the shallow water until last night!! I thought I was going to get the big fish finally because Darren was in the spot I was normally fishing.

[Guest]

Ok... enough nonsense now and post the picture!!

[howellcanufish]

Awesome post, I hope to hit anything 20lbs plus before the season is up.

[DTro]

BTW, Hanson

As we were talking to the boat next to us, one of the guys said, "you know, I don't have a river boat yet, but when I do, it will be named 'The Whistlin Kitty Chasers'". I just about spit my beverage out, laughed and yelled back, "is that with or without the scooter stick" and he replied, "husker do's or husker don'ts"

priceless

[rushing]

I caught a 64lber last night but I dont want to share the picture or video of it either.

Congrats D-man!

[Farmboy1]

Quote:

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I caught a 64lber last night but I dont want to share the picture or video of it either.

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That's funny right there

Congrats on the great fish.

[DTro]

Here ya go smarty pants:

[rushing]

Awesome Fish! I hear big cats through the ice are delicious!

[DARK30]

I'd lick her twice! Nice fish man!

[Flaco651]

Hey! I know where that caught. I can tell by the little spot that wasn't edited above the dorsal... Congrats again man. After I talked to ya last night I had to second guess my reasoning for not getting out last night. I figured I had fished 4 out of 6 days and should spend some time around home because I'll be out friday and the all nighter saturday for the Moore's bait contest.

[ec30_06]

Sweet fish Darren!! You earned it

[Papa Grump]

THAT is a pig!! Congrats again bud! I'm still chuckling over the voicemail you left me last night. Kind of wish I had the phone on for ALL the play by play .