The one that got away....

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Ok, I'm a tad late with the story. I said more to come at 6pm but, work kept me late, and supper had to be eaten, blah, blah. I'm here now so, let's get it started!

I was fishing the reed beds this weekend, on Deer Lake. I love bustin' the reeds for bass and pike! The fishing was incrediable!

This was the biggest of the afternoon! Not bad for just 3 hours. While throwing spinnerbaits and losing spinnerbaits, I noticed that when the spinnerbait reached the edge of the reeds I was getting good hits, "ticks" if you will. Deer is known for some very nice gills. I have caught a few a long time ago but, never really targeted them though. I was too heavy into bass fishing at the time. Well, anyway, I decide that these ticks could be big gills. In the past I had a monster gill follow a spinnerbait once. I take a deep breath and grab the ultrlight. I drop a slip float set up on the edge of the thickest reeds I can see. In 30 seconds the float goes down! I boat a good gill! He is coming in around the 7 inch mark. I go back for more. 1-2-3 minutes pass by and suddenly the float is under! The drag howls, it has to be a bass. The fish wraps me around a single, lone reed. I can handle this. I have everyone stop throwing spinnerbaits as I pull the boat closer to the wrapped fish. I finally get there and I see a side shot of a huge gill! The nerves are getting rattled now. Steph goes in after the reed. She reaches down to snap the reed of and with the twitch of the wrist it is over. The line has snapped.

I asked steph how big it was and, she says, "you don't want to know." "All I can say, honey, the biggest I have ever seen on the end of your line." She felt horrible. I told her that it is all part of this sick game we play called fishing.

I will be returning to find you, Mr. Huge A. Gill, I will find you!

[Greg Clusiau]

Interesting. I remember you mentioned the reed fishing before for bass and a good way to locate gills. I've tried a little reed casting up there but never did any good. Where abouts would I start tossing? Thank you...GC

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Hey ya Greg! Check your comment box on your page!

[John Sheehan]

This is a great report .Sorry 'bout the ending tho'. You are on to something .Here's an aggressive gill caught outside reeds.