couple fish

[carl schenk]

I accidentally turned a bit too soon and trolled over water that was too shallow for the lure I had on and I wound up catching bottom. I turned back where I came from and the lure popped free so I turned back to the direction I was headed and managed to catch bottom again. This time the lure popped out and was instantly slammed by a 37"er. It made me wonder if the fish had just been sitting there looking at the temporarily snagged lure and couldn't stand it when it tried to make an escape. A different trip out I was coming up along the Canadian shoreline and had a hard hit but the fish didn't get the hook. I quickly pointed the rod behind the boat to stall the lure and was rewarded with the fish hitting again. This time the fish was hooked and brought to the boat. As I got the net into position the fish started shaking its head at the surface and I could see it was only caught on one point of the rear hook. Luckily it stayed attached into the net, but the lure came free as soon as there was slack. I wish they would all unhook themselves that easily. A nice thick 45''er. Both these fish are now wearing tags. I'm thinking if the rod wasn't in my hand so I could drop the lure back into its face this would possibly have not been a hookup. Rod holders..nope..not for me.

[Scott McKee]

Humans are the best rod.holders.