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rigmewacky

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With the hot temps today I opted to hit the DPR with a couple friends to escape to the shade when needed and the ease of a one way float. Rain last night raised the water level about a foot. Water was stained and moving, but fishable. Bite was still a bit slow. I seemed to miss more than I caught. Felt like with the poor clarity they were having trouble keying in on lure. Dark and loud seemed to be the best producer as most fish caught were with dark bladed swimjigs. I was mostly throwing a booyah boogie bait. I wish they still made them as I really like the leverage bending hook.

Near the end of the float I get slammed by what I knew instantly was a nice fish. It kind of dug down like a catfish, but I hoped it was a pike. Sure enough it was a pike and a monster one at that. I knew instantly it wouldn't fit in my net so after getting it close a couple times and it pulling away I got my hands on it. I keep my drag tightened down pretty good on my baitcasters and this fish was able to pull a nice amount.

After some quick pics and a measurement on my paddle I sent her back home. My paddle has a measuring tape on it that goes up to 40" and she was exactly that. I'll take a quality day over quantity day today.

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Geeze! That ratio of your fingers to that fish in the first picture really shows some scale. Totally unscientific observation but that looks like one of the largest I have seen posted for the DPR. Be kinda fun if there were some unofficial records for the DPR by section.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
HEDDONFROG said:
How was that adrenaline high and hangover afterwards?
Yea my adrenaline was pumping pretty high once I got a visual of the fish at the surface. Kept telling myself "don't lose this fish".

Thanks everyone. This is a catch I won't soon forget.
 
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