Skip to main content

I Just Won The Small Lake Lottery

I Just Won The Small Lake Lottery
The Small Lake Lottery

Daniel Byrne

Aurora Illinois

Last night I drove to an small pond in Naperville Illinois. The plan was to catch some crappies before the sunset. There is no way I could of dreamed of what happened next. Armed with only an ultra light rod loaded with 2 lb Cajun Red line and a Swedish Pimple I made ONE cast. I make the one cast let it drop for two seconds, I go to lift and my arm stops dead and is pulled down instead. What the heck? My drag starts to peel but the fish is too big. This lake is NOT Known for any big fish, I only go there for fun with small crappies. I have fished there on and off since I moved here eight years ago. The only way this fish is going to stay on is if I RUN!!! I start running with it, then walking, and then jogging again. Maybe a catfish? I switch to back reel as my drag is not giving up line smooth enough. A giant bass? I never got anything over 2 pounds here. A carp maybe? I felt it strong head shake. 3/4 down the lake I am sweating trying to keep this thing on. The I see a flash of STRIPES!! Jesus what the hell is that? Now my asthma kicks in, my chest is tight, and although I catch some big fish this is NOT what I signed up for. My old friend panic sets in as I walk with this beast down the lake. Finally ten minutes later, I climb down the hill and lip my 3 foot 10-12 pound hybrid striper!! Obviously someone let this thing go and by the looks of it, the fish has had years to load up on small crappies and shad with no competition. I have just landed the fish and story of a life time. Let me answer the obvious questions.

Species: Hybrid Striped Bass

Date Caught: 10/23/2012

Kept / Released: Released

Region of Catch: Region 1

Length: 32-36 inches

Recommended


Weight: 12

Lure / Bait used: Lure | chrome/glow swedish pimple




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Where to Find Post-spawn Walleyes

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: What Are the Top Walleye Baits Of ALL TIME?

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Stalking Giant Flatheads AFTER DARK

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Big Mississippi Flatheads with Chris Winchester

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Walleye Location Secrets

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Learn

TOP 2 Smallie Rigs with Jay Pzrekurat

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Gear

Shimano's NEW ArmaJoint 1900SS Adds Depth Control During Retrieve

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Old-School Baits that Still Play Today (Northland Tackle)

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: The Way of the Walleye EVERYWHERE THEY SWIM

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Traditional Walleye Tactics that STILL WORK Today

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: How Walleyes Feed In Cover and Along Edges

Captain Ross Robertson is no stranger to finding and catch spring walleyes, and he shares his Top 3 jig choices for catc...
Fishing

Top 3 Jigs for Springtime Walleyes with Ross Robertson

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now