It was already a great day catching very large blue catfish in the morning, but things were slowing down approaching noon. I was getting kind pestered by fish in the teens and 20s. Hard waiting for a big fish when you gotta keep reeling these dudes in.
"Okay enough of that you little suckers, try swallowing this!!!!!" I take a Huge skipjack, cut the tail off, hook it in the head, and off it goes into the depths. I knew if that ever takes off, its a BIG fish!I settle back and was thinking to my self how Ive caught blues and channels today, that leaves my favorite fish in the world to be caught...I wonder what my first flatty of the year will be like and where.....zoning....zoning.... "why is that rod in the water?" (ZINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!) "Skippy commmmmme back!!!"
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"Crap how am I going to get this rod out of this holder with this weight?" "Golly Im glad those other lines are not out!" "I neeeeed heeeelp!"
So it begins! power runs that nearly unspooled me, braced against side of boat... "If this is a blue its going to be past 100 lbs for sure!" half hour goes by and no ground made. I realize its going to be over if I dont get that anchor up. Im really thankful for my workouts later because I needed them today. I hold rod under my butt as I pull rope with other hand and step on rope as i get another grip. I finally get it up, but it doesnt help much, another 30 minutes go by and Im really excited now!!! "whatever is on this line, I have no idea how Im going to get it in this boat. Nobody nearby either. After hour and 10 minutes he is to the side of my boat and I realize the fish of a lifetime is on. I manage the net over the head. All my ummph and he is aboard! Video is rolling and Im really pumped! My brother is on the phone with me. I used both scales and I hoist to read 87.45 and 87.12 LBS!!!!!! "This is the new state record!!!"
I get measurements and get the following:
Length: 54.75"
Girth: 37.25" at stomach
Mouth: 10"
After realizing that he will probably die if not released waiting on officials, I decide I want to return him to his home. Getting the shot in the pic pulled my back out. It was literally all we could do to roll him back over the side. I pumped his gills for 5 minutes or so till he finally took off.
Although I wanted to make it official, Im glad he is out swimming free tormenting the bass And regardless of opinion I knew I had it in my hands
