I was able to get out this evening for about 90 minutes or so before things got dark. Still numb from a filling, and a lake that is being drawn down and about 2+ feet low, but I was still able to launch and fish. First spot I pulled up to I caught 4 bass on jerkbaits. Things were looking good, so with little time, I hole hopped and was able to manage 15 or 16 bass, all but two coming on the jerkbait.
At one of the last spots, I pulled the bait down, made a couple twitches, and the rod doubled over when I went to move it again. Held pressure on it for a second or two and it felt a bit weird and heavy. Kept fighting it because it was obviously a fish, but this one seemed slow and heavy, like dragging a good bass through the water sideways after it got snagged slapping at the bait. One it got closer to the boat, it proceeded to keep trying to move out and down, which really got my curiosity up. Thought I really want to see this fish, still figuring a weirdly hooked largemouth. Got the fish turned and brought it up in the clear water fromunder the boat and about croaked when I saw this massive head and white tail - a big walleye - Happy, happy, joy, joy!
Didn't have a net, but this beast had engulfed the entire bait, so I wasn't too worried. Tried to belly lift him but he slipped out of my grasp since he was so long and unbalanced. Got him back up and this time did one of those In-Fisherman gill lifts on him. That worked and I was able to get a good measurement and two quick pics. Thanks goodness I brought the camera this trip (I forget it last time out). Twenty-seven and 1/2 inches and I'm guessing between 7 and 7.5 pounds - my new personal best. The great bass bite was just a bonus today after that fish.
Didn't keep him? That would be some great eating!
Posted by: Alex | November 16, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Awesome fish buddy.
Posted by: Rick Vogelbacher | November 16, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I am sure glad to finally see a nice one come out of there, great job! I have yet to get one over there and I know they are in there somewhere. Sounds like you have the winter bass pattern figured out too. I wanted to go over there yesterday but I wasn't sure I would be able to launch. Went to the White River instead. Never fished for crappies up there before but what a day. Over 200 caught with several in the 12-13 inch range.
Posted by: bob sturm | November 17, 2012 at 02:12 PM
Dang, Bob. Why'd you have to go and tell me that :) Now I want to go, too. Been many years since I fished the river for crappie, and back then they were plentiful too, just all 8-9" fish. Sounds like they finally grew up. I really need to quit work so I can fish more. You probabaly could have launched OK Thursday, and maybe Friday, but today probabaly would have been a problem. We're getting low now, but there's still 2.5' on one side of the ramp that allowed me and two other boats to get out today. Tomorrow might be questionable...
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | November 17, 2012 at 07:25 PM