Sunday, September 28, 2014

Personal Best

"Don't Move!" I told Shea. From my vantage point I could see a large tail and half of a big fish just near the bank. Shea was almost right on top of it and the tall grass was blocking his view. I peeked around the grass to get a better look. There lying just inches off the shore was one of the biggest bass I have ever seen. My rod was already rigged and I hurried to get a cast in before the fish spooked. My first cast landed just above the fish and didn't sink. I thought for sure the fish was going to take off. It didn't seem fazed. I slowly lifted the fly and made a second cast just off to the side of the fish. At first the fish showed no interest then just as the fly settled on the bottom the fish turned and slowly swam towards the fly. I could see everything, my fly, the fish and then the take. I set the hook with authority and the fish headed for deeper water. Shea and I were in disbelief. Sure you see big fish all the time but how often do you catch them and even if you're lucky enough to hook them will they stay on? The fish started to thrash and show its true size. It verified that indeed it was the biggest bass I have ever hooked with a fly. The fish shook its head and its mouth looked like it could swallow a softball with room to spare. I didn't have a net and I slid down the bank to find a good place to land the fish. The fish came close and I made a grab for my leader. The bass made another good run and I was worried it was going to snap my rod. I regained control and brought the fish over again. This time the fish brought its head up slowly and I quickly grabbed the fishes lower lip. The mouth was too big to lip with my thumb. I basically put all of my fingers in the beast's mouth and made a fist.
The fish measured almost exactly 22inches and had some serious battle scars. I wish I took more pics of the fish but I was worried about over stressing it. It's a fish I'll never forget.


13 comments:

  1. That's a chunk! Nice fish, Kevin. Still waiting for a good one on a fly rod. What weight outfit and what fly pattern did he take?

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    1. It hit one of the ugly flies that were in my last post. Honestly the whole thing was really lucky. I think I was just in the right place at the right time.

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  2. That's an impressive bigmouth, Kevin, and it beats my personal record bass by a couple inches. Nice work, and thanks for letting it go.

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    1. I don't like fish and I can't see the point of killing a fish that took over 8yrs to get this big. That fish probably had some good stories to tell.

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  3. What a pig! The fact that you got to watch it all unfold had to make it just that much better.

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  4. Well done Kev! That's a beautiful fish.

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  5. Hell yeah!!!!!!!! That is one helluva bass my friend!! The picture that you got is great, too. Looks to really show the moment and the story that you told.

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    1. Thanks Justin, I was lucky Shea was there to take the pic.

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  6. Kevin
    One truly nice specimen and one you should think about dry mounting. One can go a lifetime and never land a bass that size especially on the fly, congrats on an awesome catch!!!!

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  8. WOW Kevin!! What an awesome fish, the colors are beautiful and to catch it on a 5wt...WOW! I bet it was a lot of fun feeling the hawg tug and run! Congrats!

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