I don’t know where to start

[skeetbum]

Let me first apologize for I have 22 pictures (maybe more) from today. This has been one of the best days fishing in a very long time. The new rod worked perfect as did the reel, and the new line performed admirably after being tested well a couple of times. I began chasing crappie and even found enough to fill a friend’s request for some. The first fish was very nice and stopped the rod when I made the hookset. That’s a 48 qt cooler he’s resting in.

Added a few to the cooler and then the bite shut down. Completely. Now after 9 I started picking my way around some places that looked fishy and found a few but nothing to write home about. I had picked up a couple of gills last week and thought why not see if anyone is home. They were. Starting at 9:41 on the first pic until 11:18, first pic to last pic, I had one of the best times of my life. Sometimes every cast had my rod stopped and the drag singing. I still can’t break the 10” mark but I got a few that came close. A few oddballs were added to the mix too. An invasive known as the Pleco, a cousin to the plecostamus found in aquariums, grows large here. They may also be armored catfish cuz their skin is beyond tough. This one was as wide as my fist and at least 16, maybe 18” long and fought really tough.


They’re no friend of ours and do damage to our bedded eggs left after the spawn. He didn’t get to go back home.

Then as the last fish of the day, I got this good Largemouth that fought way bigger than his size. Took me over two minutes just to see him. The new rod just plain went to work and did as good as I’d hoped it would.

There was a bass tourney last week and his wound looked to be healed several days, so I’m thinking it had happened then. That’s some Of his gills hanging out of the gill flap. He got a quick pic and went back home to continue his recovery.

Now for the gills. WOW a doesn’t come close. Sometimes a fish on consecutive casts. It was like cast and crank the handle a few times, get the hit and lift the rod only for it to stop in its tracks. These fish had attitude!! Missed several, lost a couple mid fight and didn’t even count the smalls. Very few days in my life have left me with a smile like this. If you don’t like pics, just go on now cuz there’s a bunch of em. Thanks for coming along and I hope to see you soon……Skeet





And several more to add to these but you get the idea. I might get this smile off my face by Thursday or so. This full moon is KICKIN!!!

[SuperDave336]

Good report and pics. Thanks for sharing

[gillchaser999]

Awesome day!
Those are some platter gills ! Bet those were fun on the new rod !
And that prehistoric looking Pleco . Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that . I’d be afraid to touch it , like one of those toad fish out of saltwater.

[JET4]

very nice day, thanks for sharing

[UpstateSC_Bill]

Sounds like an awesome day on the water. Glad the new rod is doing well for you.

[DockShootinJack]

Awesome mixed bag. That invasive is an interesting looking critter

[VaCrappieMan]

Awesome report! Dang I’d love to get on some coppernose like that. They are such an awesome fish. I am glad you had some line stretching fun. This day will have you smiling for a while!

[skeetbum]

Thanks guys. I had to end the day on a high note so I went to mudhole and bought another build of a 6’ version of the rod I used so much today. Already started on it. Need to wait for the reel to position the reel seat for proper balance. That’s hard for me.

I also forgot to add that I kept the good crappie but three of the gills were all I kept of those. They had work to do and I let ‘em get back to it. They’ll be waiting when you get there.

Va, only reason you aren’t getting any of them is you’re not here. Open invitation. They will bed sometimes 4 times or more this year I’m told.

[BobC]

Thanks for the ride along, skeet. Some beauties there!
Bob

[Slabprowler]

Fun times for sure !
nasty weather back home wished I was their !