The Big and Ugly

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Comment by Leo Nguyen on September 19, 2012 at 3:16pm

Great fishing on your week off Allen! Keep them coming. I'm visualizing my virtual vacation with you. LOL

Comment by Allen Morgan on September 19, 2012 at 3:06pm

Arkansas River, 9/19/2012

Headed out to Swift Park this morning after the kids went to school.  I had my kayak, and was going to meet up with a friend.

 

The goal was to harass just about anything that would bite.  I had a “bass” spinning pole with me, as well as one of my bigger catfish poles.  However, I forgot to bring my catfish bait, much to my chagrin.

 

When I got there, things looked pretty sparse.  The wind was blowing 5 – 10 mph out of the south, and due to the hill behind me, was moving out of several directions as it wrapped down and around the hill.  No water was moving, which had the end of the ramp about 3’ from the water.  I didn’t see much in the way of fish on top, except the occasional Shad doing its flip.

 

I decided to tie on a Rapala F5 in silver/black.  A classic pattern.  I started trolling around, then finally trolled down the bank.  After a couple hundred yards, I noticed my rod tip was bent backwards HARD!  And, it was throbbing pretty good.  I stopped paddling, picked up the rod, and started reeling in.  From the feel of the fight, I was expecting a small Gar.  Then, the fish jumped.  This was no Gar, but a nice bucketmouth!

 

After about 30 seconds, I brought this aboard:

 

[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img580/7404/20120919kentuckybass1.jpg[/IMG]

 

A nice Kentucky!

 

I kept trolling downriver.  I turned around at the power lines, and trolled the north bank.  That was not a good idea.  I was fighting the wind.  It wasn’t really that bad, but, I’d rather paddle the other shore and stay out of the wind as much as possible.

 

Once I got back to the ramp, I changed over to a different minnowbait.  I’m not sure of the brand, but I think it’s a Rebel.  It’s a floater, hollow plastic with rattles (more vibration/noise than the Rapala), and it’s in something similar to Firetiger, making it more visible in the murky water there.

 

I started trolling downriver again, retracing my first path.  Wouldn’t you know it, in about the same spot as before, I get a hookup:

 

[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img28/1015/20120919kentuckybass2.jpg[/IMG]

 

This time, it’s a little Kentucky Bass.

 

I did manage a brief hookup with something else.  I got a quick look at its mouth while I was reeling it in, but it threw the hook.  I’m guessing small Kentucky, small White Bass, or small Crappie.

 

I did find a nice spot that should hold some cats.  I may have to return at a later date.

Comment by Allen Morgan on September 19, 2012 at 2:45pm

Keystone Dam, 9/18/2012

I decided to go back to Keystone Dam and play with the kitties, after the good fishing last Friday.

 

Well, today was NOT to be a repeat.  I had both surf rods with me.  I baited the first one, and threw out to where I had been getting some hits.  I baited up my second rod, and threw it out almost against the north wall of the turbine outlet.  It was in the shade.  I let the sinker hit bottom, engaged the reel, wedged the pole into the rocks, and started reeling in slack.  I got it tight, which was kind of “odd”.

 

 Normally, at this spot, where I had my bait, you can’t get a sinker to hold.  I’m pretty sure it’s smooth concrete.  However, I had tension.  This all flashed through my mind in a split second.  I looked at my rod tip, and it was bent down, then it throbbed!

 

Krikey!  Fish on!  I picked up the rod, and started reeling.  I got this little 4 lbs. Flathead:

 

[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img253/3476/20120918flathead.jpg[/IMG]

 

The bait had been in the water less than 60 seconds.  I must have thrown the bait right on top of it.

 

I sat there for three more hours.  I had some bait nibbled off several times, but never had a good hookup.  That was the only fish I caught.

Comment by Jim Gronaw on August 15, 2012 at 7:58pm

Excellent fish Tony! Just because it isn't a bass doesn't mean it's not a good catch! Ha-ha!

Comment by Tony Livingston on August 15, 2012 at 6:13pm

Yeah, he and I were both tuckered out by the time it was all said and done..

Comment by Allen Morgan on August 15, 2012 at 5:55pm

Nice cat, Tony.  On 4 lbs test?!?!?!?!  I bet that was a good fight.

Comment by Tony Livingston on August 15, 2012 at 5:51pm

Haven't been out much due to other obligations, but did manage a few minutes last night. Naturally, since I had limited time available, I hooked into this guy shortly after I started fishing. 28 inches, and just over 7 lbs. By the time I got him to the bank on my 4 lb. test, it was time to head to the house...... I should've kept him for the pan, but didn't have time to clean him, so back in he went. May never catch him again, as they're pretty hookshy after being caught once.

 

Comment by Allen Morgan on August 13, 2012 at 5:49pm

I'd have to go to TX to play with some Bull Reds.  I hear it's just like Bass Fishing, you just need some heavier equipment.

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on August 13, 2012 at 5:32pm

Thanks Allen....these fish are truly horses.....they are strong!

Comment by Allen Morgan on August 13, 2012 at 5:23pm

Nice!

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