EricM, Chick, 47 lb blue cat on 6 lb test, 4-30-15

[EricM]

Well, I finished the month of April (gone already!!) on a high note and also on a not-so-high one. On the high note, I got out this beautiful morning and despite two (TWO!) breakoffs - on two different rods - I still managed to boat another 50(ish) pound class catfish on my very light tackle. One breakoff was a total mystery, fresh line and knots were in use on that rod and a big fish made the line pop about 2 feet above the reel. Drag was set well. Very rare type of break. The second failure was on the other rod but I had already landed the 47 on that line but did not (can we say dumbbutt?) strip 50 feet of line off off and retie. I can say dumbbutt. Actually, I can (and did) say worse. The World 6 lb record remains unbroken for another day.................

The low note I had mentioned involves the trolling motor mishap I had earlier this week. I can only use the TM on very low settings for any amount of time or else the internal breaker pops and won't reset for a while. I think I'm going to need to start saving those pennies and nickles for a new one. Let's see - that would be about 180,000 pennies I need to save up, or 36,000 nickles, or................

Uh-oh. I forgot. I'll be needing a new pacemaker too. Wow! Hard decision - trolling motor or pacemaker....trolling motor or pacemaker......

And then I was fishing and I saw a lot of smoke from around where I parked the truck this morning. Fortunately, when I got back to the ramp my truck was still red and not black...........

Today's pics:

 

[tp44]

I can't even think about playing that guy out. I know it took Duane about 15 minutes to get a 5-6 lb in. Congratulations.

 

[Gator]

Sorry about the breakoffs. Good luck on the world record. My money is on you.

 

[swamp]

My money is on you also.You've proved you can do it.Just a matter of time till the record fish bites.You must have nerves of steel.I get worried when I hook a nice small mouth on my 6lb.tippet

 

[Muskrat]

Awesome Eric. Great job !

 

[reeltime]

You'll get the record soon! Good luck!

 

[TR20bh]

On 6# test! Unbelievable! You da Cat Man!!

 

[BassERT]

emoThumbsup emoToast


emoCool

 

[rsimms]

When you dance with the devil, you're gonna get burned. (That's in reference to breaking 6# line, not the fire. emoSmile )

I had a client break off a beast yesterday on some of that huge 10 lb. test line. emoBigsmile

But I'm still emoSorry .

 

[cuonthelake]

Pacemaker trumps a TM, however I say splurged and get both....That record is yours, its got your name written all on it! That is an amazing catch right there! emoApplause emoApplause

 

[drumking]

You are a man of infinite patience, EricM. I saw where you battled a 52 lber last week for 1 hr 55 minutes. I would have broken that thang off after a few minutes and got back to crappie fishing. emoBigsmile Of course, I'm not trying for a record. I can't believe that I didn't measure the hybrid Striper that Dr Phil and I caught at Watts Bar a few weeks ago. I know that it would have given me the 10th different TARP. Good fishing, my friend. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[SpurHunter]

I say buy the new trolling motor, then we can take your old one apart and use the pieces for the pacemaker repair. Come back by the house, your parts, along with the vast array of "items" in my garage and we should have your ticker fixed right back up!