Swampy and I meet Scott at Rivers End around 7 am, we launched, and we headed over by Coney Island (sp?.) Swampy was picking up some large mouth on a Lucky Craft Staysee so I tied one on too. I caught a couple of small large mouth ripping it when WHAM; a TOAD hit the Staysee like a freight train! I knew I had a big fish on but then it started stripping lineand I knew I had a REALLY BIG fish on! I would try to gain on it but it just kept taking back what I gained and more. I was afraid to hammer down the drag since I was only using 15 # test. It kept running me around the boat, heading towards the channel then towards shore. Swampy got on the trolling motor and followed it around helping me to gain on it.
I had been fighting this thing for five to ten minutes (it seemed like forever) before we even saw it. It was a huge striper! It ran a couple more times and both Swampy and I tried to get it into the boat. Scott used Boca (?) grips from his boat to land it. The scale on the Boca went up to 30 pounds and was maxed out. We tried to use a Berkley digitl scale but couldn't get the damn fish off the ground! The highest it registered (tail still on the ground) was 34+.
Scott and Swampy both think it went over 40 and I agree. Unfortunately we didn't measure it either but 30 pounds was all I needed to beat my all time largest fish of any kind ever. Scott has pics and we will get them posted as soon as we can. The camera on my cell phone didn't get any.
Thank you Scott for landing that monster, thank you for getting the pics, and thank you for making sure she was OK when we released her. Bro, you've got to know I *really* appreciate your taking me out, sharing your spots, and helping me land the fish of a lifetime! That is TWO personal bests you have put me on in less than a year; you are the MAN!
I caught it with a Staysee 90SP on 15 # test. I was using a Lamiglass 7' XCF 705R with a Pflueger Trion baitcast real. My hands didn't stop shaking for at least a half hour.
Scott: When you get the pics downloaded email them to cryle@redshift.com and call me so I can confirm I got them.
#37826, "RE: Delta 10/6 - PB!" In response to Reply # 1 Sat Oct-06-07 07:37 PM by BuzzFish
Thanks man...I still can't believe it. I fished for stiper from Pacifica beaches for a freaking year and got nothing. This is probably the biggest fish I will ever catch.
BTW Scott and Swampy get the props for getting the fish released healthy. I was so out of it after the catch, photots, etc that I did not properly care for the fish on release. When I put it back in the water it flared its gills and I thought it was OK. Scott and the Swamp-meister saw it was in distress and took care of the fish. You guys totally rock!
#37827, "RE: Delta 10/6 - PB!" In response to Reply # 2
That was the biggest fish I have ever seen!! :o I spoke with scott last night and he said he showed the guy(I think his name is ron)at rivers end the pics and he thought it was at least 40 lbs and probably closer to 50! I can't wait to see the pics cause scott took some great photo's and even a vid of you fighting it. Funny thing was that both your pb's came within 30 yards of each other.I guess that's a good stretch of river huh?! :+ :7 Congrats again bro and I'm glad I was there to see it,Swampy
#37832, "RE: Delta 10/6 - PB!" In response to Reply # 0
Sorry I have not posted the pics yet.. I will do it when I get home tonight. Clint congrats once again that was awsome to watch and had me shaking me as well for about 45 minutes. I was so stoked for you man! I have never seen a live striper that big before and I was more than happy to get my hands on it :+ . That made the whole day thank god cause the rest of the fishing sucked!! Thanks again to you and your Bro for another awsome fun filled day on the river. I will get those pics off to you tonight.
#37845, "RE: Delta 10/6 - PB!" In response to Reply # 8
I just got the pics this morning and am trying to resize them now...the old guidelines say to make it 111k or less and I am having trouble getting it that small. Hope to have one posted soon!
#37846, "RE: Delta 10/6 - PB!" In response to Reply # 9
Bro,can you email them to me as well? Sorry Scott,I just couldn't resist:o Thanks again for th ehelp with that monster(I would've had the same problems with the pics myself as I'm pretty computerly challenged) Swampy