I can not believe I didn't have my above ground Intek set up after my one year plus quest for a big flatty. I ended the drought in the afternoon daylight two weeks ago with a nightcrawler in 6 inches of water landing this perfect pond sized kid.
I had just landed a nesting female Smallmouth Bass for the second time; I felt bad and had released her; I then went to wash my hands on the other side (upstream) of the Jetty I was fishing on when low and behold; this quite unique head was sticking outta a perfect sized hole. Upon making eye contact with this kid; it quickly jetted under a flat chunk of cement 20 feet away that seemed to be perfect for this cat in seriously six inches of water. Moving way to fast and surely headed for a slip into the water right next to the flatty; I dropped the worm where I saw the fish enter; I quickly sat the $300 setup I was fishing with to noodle the flat; as soon as I knelt down to "feel" for the flatty, swoosh it came out, swooped the nightcrawler and made a quick retreat back under the slab of conc. In about a second's time; I jumped up and set the hook like some kind of tyrant hard to the right to yank it out from under the slab!! Definitely a weak four second battle; but the fish was amazing looking and I soooo wish I was equipped to give it a safe thorough life; but, I was not; so like everything I swoop; back in for another day!!
I did the right/wrong thing and released it after a quick photo session. My third flatty in my life, and it was better than a 30 plus pounder I had landed years back; to hit this little hot lookin kiddo was ridiculous, because you either hit a big gun; or nothing at all in this River. I know it's not monster sized; but unique to the T.... Thanks; if you got love for these kids as they generally get beat over the head and make their way to a dinner table here in lovely Az.!! I absolutely hate that fact of life..
I had just landed a nesting female Smallmouth Bass for the second time; I felt bad and had released her; I then went to wash my hands on the other side (upstream) of the Jetty I was fishing on when low and behold; this quite unique head was sticking outta a perfect sized hole. Upon making eye contact with this kid; it quickly jetted under a flat chunk of cement 20 feet away that seemed to be perfect for this cat in seriously six inches of water. Moving way to fast and surely headed for a slip into the water right next to the flatty; I dropped the worm where I saw the fish enter; I quickly sat the $300 setup I was fishing with to noodle the flat; as soon as I knelt down to "feel" for the flatty, swoosh it came out, swooped the nightcrawler and made a quick retreat back under the slab of conc. In about a second's time; I jumped up and set the hook like some kind of tyrant hard to the right to yank it out from under the slab!! Definitely a weak four second battle; but the fish was amazing looking and I soooo wish I was equipped to give it a safe thorough life; but, I was not; so like everything I swoop; back in for another day!!
I did the right/wrong thing and released it after a quick photo session. My third flatty in my life, and it was better than a 30 plus pounder I had landed years back; to hit this little hot lookin kiddo was ridiculous, because you either hit a big gun; or nothing at all in this River. I know it's not monster sized; but unique to the T.... Thanks; if you got love for these kids as they generally get beat over the head and make their way to a dinner table here in lovely Az.!! I absolutely hate that fact of life..
