G
Guest
·I went out to Lonetree last night at 9:00 pm to try for some cats. I decided to keep it simple to I took some live waterdogs about 8-10" long and some live bluegills 7-9" long. I knew I had to pack light because I was going for a long walk. I took just two rods, my bait, my catfish bag, two rod holders and a chair. (I did say light, right?lol) I got to my usual spot on the south side of the lake on the east side of the now dried up bay. I set up my first pole with a waterdog, waded out till I was chest deep, and let it fly. Then I baited up my second pole with a bluegill and proceeded to do the same. As the night drifted by I occasionally caught a 6-7 pound cat that I turned back. I only keep them if they are between 1 and 2 pounds. By the time 12:00 am came I had caught 7 cats. 1:00am came, and after not catching a fish for an hour I decided to relocate to the east side of the lake, which was another haul. As I played with the fact in my head that I was feeling too lazy to relocate the clicker on my Ambassadeur took off. I thought to my self, "Here's another 6 or7lb fish." I ran over, wound down until I felt the fish, and set my hook. Immediately I knew that the fish I had on was not a small one. He peeled off about 75 yards before I could slow him. He finally turned and proceeded to charge right towards me. It was all I could do to keep up with him as I reeled like heck. When he got to about 30 ft from shore he finally surfaced. All I could think was, "Whoa, this guy has to be pushing 35!" I decided to make it a long fight, as I was sure that this cat could be a record. But a cat in the water after dark 30 out from shore can fool your eyes, for as I reeled him in a little farther he looked a lot smaller. I had finally settled with the fact that he was about 25 when he turned and bolted. The line flew off my drag and I couldn't turn him. I tightened down the drag all the way but this did not work either. As I thumbed the spool and tried to stop him I could see what was the inevitable: he was going to spool me. As I started to see the shinyness of the spool I knew this fight was about to end. He hit the end of my line and, even though I tied a good knot that he fought against for several minutes, it finally broke and he was gone. I stood there dumbfounded that I could not do anything to turn him or tire him. This was only the third time I have ever been spooled. I kinda felt bad for the cat. Now he has to run around for the next couple of days with 450 yds of 50lb test trailing him until the hook works its way out. Better luck next time I guess.