Fang Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Headed up north with Malcolm for 1 last kick at catching few lakers before the ice gets too risky. Several trips this year have produced very good numbers but we always have to work for them each time out changing locations, figuring out depth and what they want. There was 3 of us this morning and we set up on a new deep water point that looked good on the map and started with 2 quick 2lbers for our other buddy. Both fish hit the bell sinker and minnow lines. Malcolm hits a nice 2 lber about a half hour later and then it was quite. As I have not had a sniff on my jig or minnow line, the ants in my pants get too much and I convince the guys to pull up and hit spot number 2. Another main lake deep point. This spot has a great drop off from shore that funnels a lot of fish through the day. It took a while for the fish to get active but it was a steady pick on both the jig and minnow line for the next 3 hours. Most fish were 1-3 lbs. After landed 3 quick ones in a row, I pulled out a bigger shiner and started to drop back down to the bottom. About half way down the line jumped and almost got pulled out of my hands. No time to set the hook - Fish on!!! For the next 20 minutes all I could do was hold on try and budge this fish off the bottom. Twice the fish almost spooled my Daiwa 1300 with 8lb. The swivel finally came through the hole and all I saw was this big head. Now here's where it went all wrong. I was fishing out of a 6 inch hole as I always have my manual auger packed and it was just faster to get my holes drilled rather than waiting for the 10" gas auger. Our other buddy had run and grabbed the gaff and all that we needed to do was guide the head up and stick the bottom jaw. Pretty easy as I thought to myself. Guide the trouts head into the hole and down the gaff goes. I couldn't believe that buddy slams the gaff into the side off the fish just behind the gill plate. The hole fills with blood and I look down in shock to see one of the prettiest big trout bleeding all over the ice. How are we gonna release it was all I could think of. I guess catch and release is not on everyone's priority. I really should have been more on top of what was happening at the hole and made sure he knew to go for the bottom jaw. Can you tell by the look on my face how thrilled I am at this moment. Well hopefully you all understand and don't rip me a new one. 34.5" laker 17.4 lbs. What really smarts is we meet up with our other buddies who were fishing a deep break about 2 miles away and heard how they landed and released a 36" 19 lber. As they showed me the pictures all I could do is sigh! We get back to the truck and here from a local that a 28 lber was also brought in that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Thats a great post Paul. HUGE LAKER WTG & TFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Crap happens Paul ! What ya gonna do but break out the smoker !! Beauty fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Urban Fisherman Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Crap happens Paul ! What ya gonna do but break out the smoker !! Beauty fish. Agree'd! Nice fish man! Cheers, UF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Such a beautiful fish!!! What a shame it was wasted!!! ... maybe someone should explain to the populous that gaffs are for sissy's and transexuals... real men aren't afraid to use their hands to land a fish!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fang Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) Never thought about the smoker Wayne. Maybe a bit of a silver lining. About 8lbs of trout fillets in the freezer and the Leafs won. Maybe not so bad a day after all. Edited March 22, 2009 by Fang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Nice fish Fang. It sure was eating well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) Beauty fish. Bummer your friend did that but as has been said, crap happens. Big happy belly on that one. Enjoy her meat and it won't be so bad, she won't have gone to waste. Joey Edited March 22, 2009 by Joey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Nice fish Fang! That will be delicious done in a smoker! A guy has to eat once in a while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cudz Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Nice fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverowbotham Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 beauty laker bud!!!! I wish I got up there this year! I was planning on going yesterday but got called into work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonfisher Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Good fish...Enjoy it! I know that I would love a piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinbanger Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Nice fish ! Smoker MMMMMMMM TB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Real nice fish Fang. Stuff happens man, don't let it get you down. REALLY glad to see you had your OFC logo buddy!! That's great!!! Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Nice fish ... thanks for sharing ... enjoy the meal(s) ... it should be fantastic smoked ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douG Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Attaboy, Fang, great feesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moose Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 it was a wild fight and wild fish to come three that small hole, it was another great day on joseph as we got good numbers withthe group we had, don think we will be back on ice this yr, as one spot right out in middle old crack but was open the size of my atv . but in all it was good traveling for the arctic cat with the tracks. now to fish the normal waters. good job paul horseshoes up your ying yang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paully Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 what a pig! nice fish bro! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 nice fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutnMuskieHunter Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Now that's a nice laker Fang!!!...congrats on your PB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin joe Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Congrats on the new PB Fang it's a hog As for the mishap with the landing don't sweat it man we all make mistakes, that's how we learn. A few jabs and rags on your budy and he'll not forget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leecher Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Great report and pics Fang That's a real big brute congratulations on your PB and thanks for sharing Leechman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishboy Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Awesome fish and great pics-thx for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozaibak1 Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Beautiful looking fish, way to go! It was just its time to be eaten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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