Late report...01/14/07...Angler's Lake...Hemet

[fishnfool]

Got up early Sunday morning thinking about trying for a Trout or two. Opened the front door...saw ice everywhere...22 degrees...back to bed. Back up and out the door at 0745, and on the lake 0755, it was now a balmy 29 degrees. I head to my lucky spot only to find a couple of guys already there, and they weren't budging...guess I should have got there earlier. These guys were going to force me to fish a part of the lake I hadn't fished before...unfamiliar territory...could be tough. It was aggravating watching them pull in fish after fish from my spot...especially when all I could manage were the typical 1 to 1 1/4 pounders, and they had several nicer grade ones mixed in. My first fish didn't come until about 0830 on the powerbait rod. Got several real quick then the school moved on through, and the bite slowed down. Got a couple on Lil Jakes (gold), and a couple on the power worm/casting bubble rig, (orange and chartruese both worked for one each). Nothing for a couple hours on lures but still a little action on the PB.

I decided to try the power worm rig again and chose a red one. I had never even had a bump on red before but there is an elderly guy out here that insists red is best when the sun is up high with clear skies, and those were the conditions so I decided to give it a shot, and am I glad I did. Second cast I get nailed. This one felt a little heavier...not huge but bigger. I'm thinking maybe a 3 or 4 pounder. It was taking a little drag but nothing spectacular. This is when I think it finally realized it was hooked and decided to really take off. Now I'm thinking could be a five...got a little flash but the fish was still pretty far off the bank and didn't look all that big. Now I'm thinking back to 3 or 4 pounds with an attitude. The fish decided to go on a big run...ripping line off my little 750 Symetre. By the way that reel has a drag on it that is smooth as a baby's ass which is very important when fishing the 2#.

At this point the fish was running for the south end of the lake. I was on a point that has a large tree leaning out over the water, with no way around it other than getting wet up to my nuts which wasn't going to happen, (water temp is a nice 48 degrees F.), probably would have felt warm as the air temp never exceeded 50 out there today with a nice stiff breeze. Luckily I was using a nine foot stick and was able to hold on to the bark, step on a bump on the side of the tree, hang out over the water, hand my rod to my buddy Keith on the other side, and get back on solid ground without falling in. Keith handed my rod back to me, and I was finally able to get the fish stopped, and turned back toward me. It had gone over, and under a few other lines by now when it made it's run south which made it a little challenging but my luck would hold out, and I was able to clear the other lines after a few tense moments.

I slowly work the fish in, and started getting big head shakes every now and then. Worked the fish in a little more, and then it worked me back. At this point I'm thinking please just let me see it because I honestly thought I could easily lose this fish after all this time, and all the obstacles it had put me through. I can feel the fishes strength going, or so I thought. I almost have color and it takes off on one more line peeling, blistering run leaving a really nice boil on the water. Damn it!!!

I get it turned again, and catch another flash from the sun hitting it's silvery side. I finally get a good look at her. This is a nice fish...really nice! The adrenaline is pumping now, and that thought of please just let me see it flies right out of my mind. I want this sucker in the net...BAD! Keith is right there to do the honors. After a few more tense minutes he slips the net into the water, and I am able to glide the fishes head into the net. High fives all around. Put her on the scale...9 lbs. 13 oz...a personal best. Called it a day after that with 12 of the standard stockers, and 1 little nicer one.

I would like to thank the people that made this personal best catch possible. Shimano for making a fantastic spinning reel with a great drag, Fenwick for the HMG series of rods, Berkley for their wonderful line of power baits, Danielson for making awseome swivels, and hooks, casta bubbles for an extremely reliable casting bubble, and Maxima for their incredibly tough and reliable Ultragreen fishing line. I sincerely hope I didn't leave anyone out. Thanks again to all of you for making this moment possible.

[nmbrinkman]

way to go kevan... now where's my tackle boxes?

[Calico]

Wow awesome read. It just goes to show you if your spot is taken you can still catch fish with a little effort. Congrats Bro on your fish of a lifetime!!!

[halibutslayerII]

Dam Nice pheeesh!!! Is that one going on the wall?

[Dr. Fowl]

Way to go K-Dog. And they say the EARLY bird gets the worm! Sleep in and catch a lunker....NICE

[Bottom Line]

Great catch! You forgot to thank the old guy that suggested the red power worm!

[wildcat]

Niceeeeeeeeeeeee....You forgot the ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where is the Berkley hat, with the pelagic shorts, the shimano snips, the .................ah whatever...

[mercerm]

Great read, thank you for posting it. Congrats!!!

[fishnfool]

Originally Posted by Bottom Line

Great catch! You forgot to thank the old guy that suggested the red power worm!

He wasn't there. His name is Don, and he's a fish catching machine! He's always willing to share his "secrets", and is very humble. Not long ago I saw him pull up to a spot, sit down in his chair, toss a mini jig about 15 or 20 feet out, and catch a fish while sitting in his chair. Pick it up, release it, and then do it again while BSing with me. This is when everybody else, (including me), was fishing as far out as we can get, none us are getting bit on mini jigs, or anything else. I plan on walking up to him, plant a big fatty on his forehead, shake his hand, and tell him thanks.

That's just one of the things I love about this sport...no matter how much time you spend fishing, or how much you learn...you can always learn more. I never would have put that red powerworm on if it wasn't for Don describing the conditions under which the red ones work best for him. I don't really want to jack my own post and get into the color does/doesn't matter thing but I for one am a firm believer that it matters...not necessarily at all times ie:WFO bite on (insert species here), but there are times when, I believe, it absolutely makes a difference.

Thanks again Don. See you Sunday.

[Captain Curt]

Originally Posted by fishnfool

Got up early Sunday

I would like to thank the people that made this personal best catch possible. Shimano for making a fantastic spinning reel with a great drag, Fenwick for the HMG series of rods, Berkley for their wonderful line of power baits, Danielson for making awseome swivels, and hooks, casta bubbles for an extremely reliable casting bubble, and Maxima for their incredibly tough and reliable Ultragreen fishing line. I sincerely hope I didn't leave anyone out. Thanks again to all of you for making this moment possible.

And didn't even thank NOAH'S TACKLE for the day off................your fired.

Curtis...........

The boat Hanna..........

[WreckinBall]

Nice, Kevan! Way to go!

I was thinking about making the drive down to Angler's Saturday morning, but chose to fish the Turkey Ranch in the desert where it was 9 freakin' degrees. Shoulda gone to Angler's and watched you do the do-si-do.

[Saluki]

You went fishing last Sunday morning????

Turn in your Chicago Bears Fan Club card.

All these years you had me fooled................. I thought you were a Bears fan, and come to find out your a Charger fan! I don't blame you bro,,, I wouldn't have wanted to watch the Bolts either,,,, everyone knew they were gonna lose.













ps. Congrats on one hell of a fish,,,,, awesome catch.