Saw gold and than tasted the agony of defeat
Captwalleye 11/25/2005 - 07:53 Trip Reports Liberty
I went up Liberty yesterday evening.I knew I was in trouble When I got to where I park.It seemed extra windy,and alot colder than when I left the house.Being a hardhead,and knowing you can't catch If you don't go.I hit the fire road.
As I started down the hill,I got to thinking about putting on my jacket I had in my pack,but did'nt.I figured I save it for when I really needed it.I kept going and got to where I turned off the fireroad.I busted brush over to where the level field ended and dropped off and started climbing down the ridge to my honeyhole.
I could see and hear there was a serious chop on the water.Looking up lake there was an occasional whitecap.I also notice there was a leave line (accumulated leaves floating along on top of the water)about six feet from shore as far as I could see.The wind was really getting it,and to make it more interesting there was even some snow mixed in.Needless to say,when I got down to my spot out came my jacket and on it went.
I've been up to this spot several time over the last couple weeks.It's been pretty spotty.A few small Smallmouths(under 10")one 17",several Rockbass(but no giants like before)and one walleye.
I've been waiting for a renagade Striper to show up and clean my clock,or give me a run for my money.So far that hasn't happened.Even
though this is the time of the year for it.
I tried to work a suspending jerkbait,but the wind and leaves made that sort of futile.I switched over to my trusty swimbait,and stated casting.On one cast paralleling the shore up wind from me.The lure blew in toward shore,and I could tell I would be cutting real close to a log about 15 feet out and upwind of me.I've tried to lasso this thing earlier with a rope to get rid of it.That didn't work.As I retrieved I watch my line,as it got to where i figue the log was I raised the rod up and hoped to clear it.Nope! The lure stopped and the rod loaded.Great! I thought,and started trying to shake the lure loose.Suddenly the rod jerked down,and the thump-thump of life started pulsing up the rod.I'm like all yeah what have we got here? The fish jerked some drag,and started up.I'm thinking it's a Smallie,wonder how big? I watched the line coming up
and than up pops this big head and back.Smallmouth!BIG SMALLMOUTH! A giant! That fish was over 20" easy,broad of back and thick through the body.I'm flipping out.It pulls some drag and heads back down.Than rises again to roll on the surface.It never did really jumped just rolled three times and bulldogged around.I didn't try to horse it in,and sort of let it go where it wanted.As I attempted to lead it through the leave line it dove again,than it was gone.The fish I guess during the surging around it did caused the single hook to enlarge the hole where it pierced it's lip or maybe it was'nt hooked that well from the get go.The sickening feeling hit me like a ton of bricks.I looked in the water,as I reeled in the lure knowing I'd just lost a monster.I inspected the hook.It was still in shape and sharp.The line was fine too.I started casting again,and playing the whole thing over and over in my mind.
I did the right thing,it just wasn't my turn to succeed.It was that great big heart stopping beast's turn.Will I go back? Come on now,wouldn't you? That was one long miserable walk back to my truck.
Now I have to wait for the next time...It's not over yet!
As I started down the hill,I got to thinking about putting on my jacket I had in my pack,but did'nt.I figured I save it for when I really needed it.I kept going and got to where I turned off the fireroad.I busted brush over to where the level field ended and dropped off and started climbing down the ridge to my honeyhole.
I could see and hear there was a serious chop on the water.Looking up lake there was an occasional whitecap.I also notice there was a leave line (accumulated leaves floating along on top of the water)about six feet from shore as far as I could see.The wind was really getting it,and to make it more interesting there was even some snow mixed in.Needless to say,when I got down to my spot out came my jacket and on it went.
I've been up to this spot several time over the last couple weeks.It's been pretty spotty.A few small Smallmouths(under 10")one 17",several Rockbass(but no giants like before)and one walleye.
I've been waiting for a renagade Striper to show up and clean my clock,or give me a run for my money.So far that hasn't happened.Even
though this is the time of the year for it.
I tried to work a suspending jerkbait,but the wind and leaves made that sort of futile.I switched over to my trusty swimbait,and stated casting.On one cast paralleling the shore up wind from me.The lure blew in toward shore,and I could tell I would be cutting real close to a log about 15 feet out and upwind of me.I've tried to lasso this thing earlier with a rope to get rid of it.That didn't work.As I retrieved I watch my line,as it got to where i figue the log was I raised the rod up and hoped to clear it.Nope! The lure stopped and the rod loaded.Great! I thought,and started trying to shake the lure loose.Suddenly the rod jerked down,and the thump-thump of life started pulsing up the rod.I'm like all yeah what have we got here? The fish jerked some drag,and started up.I'm thinking it's a Smallie,wonder how big? I watched the line coming up
and than up pops this big head and back.Smallmouth!BIG SMALLMOUTH! A giant! That fish was over 20" easy,broad of back and thick through the body.I'm flipping out.It pulls some drag and heads back down.Than rises again to roll on the surface.It never did really jumped just rolled three times and bulldogged around.I didn't try to horse it in,and sort of let it go where it wanted.As I attempted to lead it through the leave line it dove again,than it was gone.The fish I guess during the surging around it did caused the single hook to enlarge the hole where it pierced it's lip or maybe it was'nt hooked that well from the get go.The sickening feeling hit me like a ton of bricks.I looked in the water,as I reeled in the lure knowing I'd just lost a monster.I inspected the hook.It was still in shape and sharp.The line was fine too.I started casting again,and playing the whole thing over and over in my mind.
I did the right thing,it just wasn't my turn to succeed.It was that great big heart stopping beast's turn.Will I go back? Come on now,wouldn't you? That was one long miserable walk back to my truck.
Now I have to wait for the next time...It's not over yet!
