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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Well, I didn't make it up to LBDN today due to family issues. However, I did go to DePere and had loads of fun. I caught at least 20 eyes between 15 and 24 inches. Then it happened. A solid whack on the crawler tipped jig. I set the hook and it felt bigger than average. I got it up to the boat and saw the telltale white tip on the fin. Nothin doing! She dove straight to the bottom and just sat. After what seemed like an eternity of it just pumping on the bottom, I thought I was finally getting the upper hand as the fish started coming up. Just as soon as I could see it again, it went wild and made a run peeling out line. This thing was BIG! I was scared I would lose it so I followed with the trolling motor. Another run and I found myself on my belly making sure the line wouldn't get in the trolling motor when it ran another time. This thing was shaking it's head and going wild for quite some time now. Another run made me get on my belly again to get the line under the trolling motor. Finally, I wore it out enough to get it close to the top of the water. I grabbed the net and turned to see the line was wrapped up in the gill plate. I went for it and as soon as the net got near the water, it went for the bottom again snapping the line. DAMN!!!!!!!! This would have clearly been the biggest walleye I ever caught. I think I need to go to church more often. Oh well! I guess it wasn't meant to be. She's still out there. |
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Member
Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | You didn't "lose" anything... you just didn't get everything... I will bet that that feeling will live with you forever... You had a great day... congrats... |
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Member
Posts: 1195
Location: Orland Park, IL | Smokin job guy. That river can offer some super nice fish. How were the crowds? |
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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Thanks Hgmeyer! I guess you are right. I just didn't get the whole package. And yes, the feeling I had when it broke the line will stay with me for a long time. However, the battle was the most fun and I will remember that even longer.
M_Komo the river is loaded with fish. You don't even have to go to the dam. There were about 8 other boats on the river Monday. Kinda nice having the river almost to yourself.
Tight Lines and Happy Turkey Day |
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | Horshak.
Know exactly how you feel. Even though I've released quit a few fish over ten pounds and one over 12 since I had my 11.7 mounted, I still love to have that picture both on physical file as well as in the old memory bank. Keep at it, your turn will come around again.  
Edited by walleye express 11/21/2006 9:26 AM
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| You know its a big fish when first, you have to chase it with the trolling motor and second, you have to work to get the fish off the bottom. |
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Location: Rhinelander | I lost one on the Goon a few years back on a light muskie rod. We had put several muskies in the boat that day on spinnerbaits, so when the big 'eye hit in heavy cabbage and 2' of water, I thought it was a 36" class Muskie. Lost her about 10' from the boat, and it still stings a little. |
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Member
Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | I wonder what a "Light Muskie rod" looks like? hehehe |
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| Anyone who has ever fished with me know there are 2 things they are going to hear from me...
"Make sure your drag is loose because big Walleyes always run when they get close to the boat"
and
"Oh... that's a nice fish"
I was fishing the bay of Green Bay last year and hooked into a very large Walleye, in a heavy South wind, as I was getting her closer to the net, I reminded myself to loosen the drag in case she ran at the boat which has been my experience in the last few years with bigger Walleyes on the bay. With the net in one hand and the rod and reel held high in the other hand I was ready...but instead of loosening the star drag, I tightened it and she did what all big Walleyes do, she dove straight to the bottom. I could not believe I had made this easily avoidable mistake but I managed to keep her on all the way to my reel going under water and then she snaped my line like it was 2 pound test. I cried at first and then laughed at my stupidity.
PS
Happy Holidays to everyone at W1st |
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Lost the Big One Today