Brad Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 I cut my fishing teeth as a child in a city pond near my house, luckily I had parents who did not feel concerned at the prospect of me leaving the vicinity of my house to pursue blue gill, bullheads and whatever would bite. That whatever sometimes included carp. Over the years I would go from bass to catfish, then catfish to carp. If fishing is a addictive, blue gill is the first hit and carp is where I have wound up. So after being reinvigorated to do some fishing by Spoon, I loaded my car a week later to get out and do some fishing. I went somewhere I have never been and had no expecations of what I may find. As I hauled my stuff to the spot, and sat the paylake rods and reels on banksticks with euro alarms (tackle tarts cringe!) and mixed my grits and baited my hairs (forgot the puffs at home that day) I was able to sit and observe. Sitting at this new spot felt familiar in so many ways. Taking me back to days on the small ponds of my original town 20 years ago. As I sit there, I really have no expecation of size or type. I figure a handful of 5 to 10lb carp would make for a busy day of small fish. I was still dealing with the aftermath of a home break in and wasted the morning sorting things out. They took no fishing gear thankfully. After about 35 minutes of daydreaming, it was so rudely interupted by my alarms and the clicker on the Carp Master reel. As I set the hook I could feel I had a decent fish. After a short fight and a wade into thick mud I finally had the carp in the net. Immediately I knew I had an upper teen, maybe even larger. The scales would confirm, the fish was over 20lbs. I cannot recall the exact weight, somewhere between 20 and 22lbs, but that is because it would not be the biggest of the day! After rebaiting and recasting numerous times trying to figure out the water, I finally sat back down to resume taking in the October sunshine. A first fish over 20lbs, that is always good for a new water. The next run I had was nothing like the first. It started with a small drop back. Then a slight tug and nothing. Fast forward about 5 minutes and the reel was absolutely screaming. As soon as I set the hook, I saw a big black tail come out of the water. I thought it was a catfish doing its normal near surface spinning. But then the fish sunk down and tore off with anger. Now I am pacing the bank trying to work an angle on whatever I have hooked into. Finally after much coaxing I get it near the bank to see what I am really encountering is a carp of the grassie kind. Having caught more than my fair share of grass carp I know the longer he fights in the water, the less of a beating I will take on the bank. I also know that regardless, a beating on the bank is going to happen. it always does. I could also tell that this was no small grass carp, it was going to be a PB. I had no idea how big until I had him netted and had to lift it up. Now I haven't hit the gym or rolled on a wrestling mat in a long time, but I know heavy when I feel it, and this fish was heavy. As I get him to the mat I set about weighing and photos. Still sorting out photos with a new phone and fishing solo. Well the dial on the Reubon Heaton scale went past the 6 o'clock position. Coming to a rest at 36lbs 4 oz. There is no true trophy shot as grass carp can kill themselves in a fight, and I had 10 seconds from activating the camera on the phone to kneel, take the carp from my travel sling not made for this huge fish, and strike some sort of a pose without being tale slapped. After that I recasted, I think. Really I don't recall. I was so content with the fish and the day that I was just taking in the moment. It was a great birthday trip. Rest assured, this water has not even come close to seeing the last of me. If on a first trip I catch a 20 and a 36lber, I can't imagine what comes next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(CO) JohnFinney Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Huge congrats ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skammer Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 I'd say you had a very good birthday! Good story with the catch & congrats on the PB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(TN) Cannonball Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 WTG! Always nice to spend time on the bank. Did the grassie come from Kingston? Or is it a secret? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fontona19 Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Very cool story, and nice grasser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobWhite Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 So cool to have such a great day on your Birthday congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted October 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 The grassie was not from Kingston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Captain Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Great job Brad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(GA) needmotime2fish Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Wow! A 20+ common and a PB grasser on your BIRTHDAY!!! That's a birthday that will be hard to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Richer_7193 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Ill take that over a cake anyday. Happy B_Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(RI) pickerd Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Wow, great fish, great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerome Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Guess what, next year, good news and bad news... Bad news, you will be one year older. Good news, this grassie will get closer to 40 pounds! Now think about the implications for the year after! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalCarper Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Great fish happy late bday. I cant imagine what rlse will come out of there! Sucks about the break in i hope everything works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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