Epic Battle On Diplomat Extreme 62 UL

My son called in sick this morning so I had to go it alone. It was a cold north wind this a.m. on JPP Lake. Fishing was slow...only a few crappie and not much size to them. Water temps were 57 degrees. Sometimes in only takes one fish to turn a not so good day into a great day. Battling a 19 inch hybrid on the Diplomat Extreme, set up with the Abu Garcia MGX Theta spooled with 2.3# test Varivas Lemoni ES2 Ester line, was an absolute ball. This fish made one run under the boat headed for the other side...the rod was bent into a big U. Hoping to get to Nickajack Friday to find some bluegill. Need these cold fronts to stop.


Regards

Sounds like one heck of a brawl. Seems as you were victorious as I see that brute in hand. Congrats on a great day

You came out on top! Thanks for sharing your adventure

That's a hefty one for sure, nice catch !

Good fish there, Cherokee is loaded with those Hybrids, actually TWRA renamed them Cherokee Bass several years ago and that is how they are listed in the State Record Books. At 23 pounds for the TN record, they sure do pull hard at any length. For many years the state record was held and broken frequently on Boone Lake in upper E TN. I lived up that way and fished for them in the Spring at night with large Redfin plugs, slow roll waked them right under the surface. A huge explosion that sounded like someone threw a cinder block in the lake indicated the obvious strike and the drag squealing began. At one point I think the record was 18 pounds and change and I scored one right at 16, an absolute brute.
I am assuming with that rod and line you were twitching a Trout Magnet. Hope you got the battle on video, will be watching for it.


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I'm amazed at the size of fish your able to bring in on that rod. I have to keep telling myself that I need to get some fishing in with the 2 rods I recently bought before I go looking for another.

Great story and thanks for the ride along, Randy! That was a beautiful and healthy looking fish!
Bob

A brute. That is an appropriate definition. Those things have power beyond compare. Great catch Randy, I know you felt a few years younger while fighting that one. Adrenaline does that, for me anyway.