Well, I learned a valuable lesson last night and it is one I am not too proud of.
I went fishing at some local ponds and decided to try a jig since my "fish crack" wasn't working. Second cast, WHAM! I feel a real big hit but it then felt like a log. So I gave it a tug or two and realize, "wow, I got one, that's a fish." So, I reel it in after a fun fight and check it out. A 32" channel catfish!
Now, I have only caught a handful of catfish before in my life. The biggest being maybe 12 inches. Heck, I am not even sure how to handle the things and I don't really care to eat them, so I let it go.
I get home and check out the DOW site and notice the state record is 37" and the record for the year is 31"!!!! ARGH! I missed owning the 2005 record. I didn't have a camera on me and heck, I didn't even have the regs or a printout of the records. That will never happen again since I printed them out and put em in my bag.
The good thing is, I will never lose the memory, that was one heck of a great fish.
I did catch a handful of bass after that but, oh well. Live and learn.
Well, I went out tonight and tried the same jig and the fishing Gods smiled on me again! I caught a 28" cat this evening. Boy that was fun. I am gonna go for cats in there until I own the state record.
Anyone else like fishing for catfish?