Big Cats on the chick 8/26/2006

[Fishing machine]

I met Baitbucket and little DrewBear ( 4 year old grandson ) at 8:45am Saturday looking for cats. Hooked up with several in the 8 to 10 lb. range. Drew bear hooked up with his biggest fish ever on his reel that he won at our Crakerfest. ( red Zebco 202 ) It was a 8lb. blue. After that, Tim calls out' big fish on dad. After 35 minutes of fighing, he pulls up a fish that easy goes between 50 and 60 lbs. ( HUGE FISH ) I lay over and grab this fish by the mouth with both hands and as I try to lift it, it goes to shaking and pulls out of my hands. Yes you guessed it, the line broke and the fish was gone. Can't tell you how bad I felt for him, his goal was to catch a fish over 30 lbs. This fish was way over his 30 lb. mark and he lost it because I couldn't hold on to it. I told Tim this was a completed catch . Question to everyone, should this fish go on our Catfish Roll or not. I would like for it to do so. Yall decide please.

 

[rsimms]

Fishing machine - 8/28/2006 7:39 AM

I met Baitbucket and little DrewBear ( 4 year old grandson ) at 8:45am Saturday looking for cats. Hooked up with several in the 8 to 10 lb. range. Drew bear hooked up with his biggest fish ever on his reel that he won at our Crakerfest. ( red Zebco 202 ) It was a 8lb. blue. After that, Tim calls out' big fish on dad. After 35 minutes of fighing, he pulls up a fish that easy goes between 50 and 60 lbs. ( HUGE FISH ) I lay over and grab this fish by the mouth with both hands and as I try to lift it, it goes to shaking and pulls out of my hands. Yes you guessed it, the line broke and the fish was gone. Can't tell you how bad I felt for him, his goal was to catch a fish over 30 lbs. This fish was way over his 30 lb. mark and he lost it because I couldn't hold on to it. I told Tim this was a completed catch . Question to everyone, should this fish go on our Catfish Roll or not. I would like for it to do so. Yall decide please.

Oh the pain, the agony. emoSorry
As for Honor Roll, I'd call it "Fisherman's Choice." I tell clients that "if we touch 'em, we caught 'em." Even though we all know it doesn't really feel that way. But in the "official world" of Big Game Fishing, all you've got to do is touch the leader and the fish is considered caught. And I definitely consider Trophy Cats "Big Game." By that definition, that was definitely a "caught" fish. But again, every angler needs to use their own yardstick...

 

[drumking]

Caught, and a quick release!emoHoppingmad emoGeezer

 

[Davo]

rsimms - 8/28/2006 7:46 AM


But in the "official world" of Big Game Fishing, all you've got to do is touch the leader and the fish is considered caught. And I definitely consider Trophy Cats "Big Game." By that definition, that was definitely a "caught" fish. But again, every angler needs to use their own yardstick...

This is exactly why I use a 200 foot leader. As soon as I get a bite I grab the line and voila, fish caught.emoUpsmile

 

[drc]

Now thats tough luckemoSorry. Where in the world was your net?

 

[Fishing machine]

I don't own a net big enough to get these big fish in. Where can I get one?

 

[drc]

I got mine at Wally World a few years ago, I assume they still carry it. SportsmansWarehouse should have big landing nets. The net I have isn't huge... Iv'e seen way bigger at BPS, but I've had a 70+lb cat in it with no problem.

 

[rsimms]

Just FYI... as I've mentioned before. I don't carry a net.... just don't want that huge thing taking up boat space. My "technique" on any fish 30-plus... I put on a glove and have grabbers. Don't let them bring fish to boat "green" no matter how bad they want to (this is circle hook benefit). Once fish is under control and they can bring it boat side... I grab simultaneously with the grabbers AND my gloved hand. Having two points of control helps counteract fish "alligator roll." It's not perfect... but I've only broken off one big fish at the boat this year. But I accept that someday I run the risk of a similar heartbreak.

 

[BaitBucket]

Let's keep this one off the roll. The four of us got a good look at her and we have one heck of a fishing story. The next picture you see of me with a big cat, that slimy varmit will be in a double-armed bear hug.

These big cats are amazing.

 

[Bprice]

Fishing Machine and Baitbucket...

I am sure proud of ya'll fellas... heck all the catfisherman on the site! Its awesome!

Minner, Lurker and I will be heading out to Wheeler to nail some big 'uns Wednesday.

Ya'll should come on down sometime and fish with us.

 

[Fishing machine]

Good luck to you three Wednesday. Make us catboys proud.

 

[CRAZYHORSE]

Some of you may remember my post on "Too Tall's big cat " a few weeks ago. this fish was on 12 lb test with no leader. We also had no net and we knew the pliers just were not going to work. I have fished all my life but getting a fish this big in the boat presents new problems. When we were pretty sure it was worn out (about 45 min) Too Tall brought him alongside the boat and I grabbed him just above the tail. I kind of expected him to take off, but when he didnt I slid my other arm under him and just hoisted him over the side of the boat and he really didn't fight it. I had already made 1 attempt to get my hand in his mouth, but he didn't like that at all, so we went to plan B and everything workrd out fine! here is the pic:

 

[rsimms]

CRAZYHORSE - 8/28/2006 12:05 PM

Some of you may remember my post on "Too Tall's big cat " a few weeks ago. this fish was on 12 lb test with no leader. We also had no net and we knew the pliers just were not going to work. I have fished all my life but getting a fish this big in the boat presents new problems. When we were pretty sure it was worn out (about 45 min) Too Tall brought him alongside the boat and I grabbed him just above the tail. I kind of expected him to take off, but when he didnt I slid my other arm under him and just hoisted him over the side of the boat and he really didn't fight it. I had already made 1 attempt to get my hand in his mouth, but he didn't like that at all, so we went to plan B and everything workrd out fine! here is the pic:

Great testimonial for "wearin' 'em" down before you boat them... an extra five minutes letting them fight can save a "quick release" boatside. One thing I always remind folks however... every one of these big dudes has his, or her, own personality. I've seen 20's fight like absolute demons... and I've seen 40's come lollygagging to the boat in what seems like seconds.
But speaking of that... remember this tip. If a cat (big or small) rolls in the line and gets "lassoed," (happens most often using 3-way rigs) they will QUIT fighting. Absolutely everytime, they won't fight while lassoed (until you touch them). If I see a lasso has happened, I always coach folks into undoing the lasso and fish will instantly begin to fight again... don't bring 'em to the boat lassoed, especially a big one. You folks who don't use 3-ways shouldn't have to worry about very much.

 

[Fishing machine]

Your right Richard, last week when I caught that 45 lbder. he was lassoed. I pulled him up in about 3 minutes and he layed on the top of the water until I took the rod and unwrapped him. As soon as my line was off of him and stright to the hook, he took off, it took me 30 minutes to get him back in.

 

[rsimms]

Fishing machine - 8/28/2006 12:46 PM

Your right Richard, last week when I caught that 45 lbder. he was lassoed. I pulled him up in about 3 minutes and he layed on the top of the water until I took the rod and unwrapped him. As soon as my line was off of him and stright to the hook, he took off, it took me 30 minutes to get him back in.

It's really strange how that works... no matter how they're wrapped, it just shuts 'em down. In my early "big cat" days I used to think that was good and try to land them while lassoed. I didn't take long to figure out... that's a bad mistake!

 

[TennesseeTalker]

Why is that? I'm assuming lasso'ed means with your line wrapped around the fish. But what happens if you do bring them into the boat that way?

TT

 

[rsimms]

TennesseeTalker - 8/28/2006 1:34 PM
Why is that? I'm assuming lasso'ed means with your line wrapped around the fish. But what happens if you do bring them into the boat that way?
TT

The second you touch them, or unwrap 'em, they go beserk! Excellent way to lose one at the boat... or if it's a big one, and you do get it in the boat, they can actually tear stuff up. I had one big cat go crazy and broke a spinning reel this year when he thrashed it. I routinely "clear my decks" nowadays as someone is fighting a big fish.

 

[BaitBucket]

Here's a few pics of the cats we got in the boat. Pics 2 and 3 are of the 8-pounder Drew caught on his bright red Zebco 202, courtesy of the CFF Crackerfest. The third picture is either Drew showing you how long the fish is or him riding a roller coaster. He was doing both that day. Good times.