Something I'm probably supposed to be happy about is interfering with my fishing. The Big Day is this Saturday. Looking at my week, I knew Monday was probably my last opportunity to fish as a bachelor.
I started my day driving to friggin Wadsworth to drop off some table runners and make a final payment. I told the GM of the venue they should add a flushing sound to their credit card machine. That earned a nervous laugh. Headed west to meet with Heddon for a short, fruitless outing. On my way there I passed a just off the road pond that looked incredibly froggy. I headed back there and much of the same, I couldn't help but think I was fishing in 1 FOW. Packed up and headed toward home.
I didn't realize it but my route took me right by my favorite park district pond. I thought "aw hell, why not". Popped in with my new Booyah Poppin Pad Crasher. I noticed the slop up top significantly died off so I thought the popper would bode well for me.
Headed to my most productive frog corner of the year. Pretty quickly I landed a 2 lb. 1 oz'er. Not bad. Moved a few feet and got a pound and a halfer. I worked a bunch of weedless spots and didn't get a single sniff. Headed toward one of my last spots and there was a kid there. I left him be and moved to the last spot. One cast just off the edge of a slop mat and I heard a small pop. Not much disturbance other than the rings from the lure hitting the water. I paused waiting to see if whatever it was would fully commit and suddenly felt a heavy tug on the line. "OH SHIT". All I got on it was pressure. Every time I felt slack I'd pull back hoping to get a decent hookset due to the lack of one in the beginning. No runs but my god this fish was swimming against me. By the time I finally got it near I knew I had to shore it quick because of the hookset. Landed it, grabbed it and by the grace of god as soon as I got slack in the line the frog slid right out. WHEW. Taped out at a personal best 23", but the post spawn famished frame gave me a weight of another personal best 4 lbs. 14 oz. Trust me, this fish photographed way better than it was. Wish I woulda caught this beaut a month and a half ago. Chucked a few more casts before I had a sneeze attack and headed home.
Hoping to head out tomorrow for a few after work but this might wrap up June in Illinois for me. I plan on messing with some saltwater harbor fish in Sarasota with bass gear :lol:.
I started my day driving to friggin Wadsworth to drop off some table runners and make a final payment. I told the GM of the venue they should add a flushing sound to their credit card machine. That earned a nervous laugh. Headed west to meet with Heddon for a short, fruitless outing. On my way there I passed a just off the road pond that looked incredibly froggy. I headed back there and much of the same, I couldn't help but think I was fishing in 1 FOW. Packed up and headed toward home.
I didn't realize it but my route took me right by my favorite park district pond. I thought "aw hell, why not". Popped in with my new Booyah Poppin Pad Crasher. I noticed the slop up top significantly died off so I thought the popper would bode well for me.
Headed to my most productive frog corner of the year. Pretty quickly I landed a 2 lb. 1 oz'er. Not bad. Moved a few feet and got a pound and a halfer. I worked a bunch of weedless spots and didn't get a single sniff. Headed toward one of my last spots and there was a kid there. I left him be and moved to the last spot. One cast just off the edge of a slop mat and I heard a small pop. Not much disturbance other than the rings from the lure hitting the water. I paused waiting to see if whatever it was would fully commit and suddenly felt a heavy tug on the line. "OH SHIT". All I got on it was pressure. Every time I felt slack I'd pull back hoping to get a decent hookset due to the lack of one in the beginning. No runs but my god this fish was swimming against me. By the time I finally got it near I knew I had to shore it quick because of the hookset. Landed it, grabbed it and by the grace of god as soon as I got slack in the line the frog slid right out. WHEW. Taped out at a personal best 23", but the post spawn famished frame gave me a weight of another personal best 4 lbs. 14 oz. Trust me, this fish photographed way better than it was. Wish I woulda caught this beaut a month and a half ago. Chucked a few more casts before I had a sneeze attack and headed home.
Hoping to head out tomorrow for a few after work but this might wrap up June in Illinois for me. I plan on messing with some saltwater harbor fish in Sarasota with bass gear :lol:.
