Thread: ESP tames the big Cat!

Originally Posted by dannypeoples

Newbie here… was still debating my first post but give the circumstances of the past weekend why wait.

Saturday presented itself with high water at the local reservoir I fish. Fishing was slow. No comparison to what it was the previous weekend. Starting this spring I started to fish a trout magnet on a light jighead (Alphahawk’s tutelage). Ended up with one crappie on the dock I favor. It got crowded and I moved to the other dock which is unpopular with the regulars at the lake. Caught a couple (not a few). Frustrated I switched tactics by letting the jig hit bottom and twitching it on the retrieve. Chomp… chomp… chomp… and I set the hook. Drag screams on my 1000s Abu Theta. Ah! A shell cracker it. My favorite! 10 mins into the fight. No sign of fish surfacing!
I start thinking that this is either a super “obese shellcracker” or a bass. Approx., fifteen minutes into the fight I came to the realization that that was no shellcracker or bass. I get sweaty palms realizing that I only have 1.75 lbs test Vativas E2 Ester with 2 lb SOS mainline being used as a leader. Just wanted to catch a glimpse of the fish that had me break sweat. Seconds and minutes go by and I find myself praying that I at least get a glimpse of my adversary. After what seemed to be ages I see some “color” (former saltwater angler). Catfish it is!! Now I’m really nervous about landing it. No landing net and there is a log in the water which eliminates the option of “walking it to the bank”. A larger hearted gentlemen on the dock offers to get in the water to land it. The fish is close. Real close! I crank up the drag three clicks as my rescuer gets ready to land the fish. Drag peels…. Snap… Link breaks! My heart sinks!

To every sour or bitter incident there is a lesson to be learnt. My lesson is:
1. Carry a landing net even though you are targeting panfish.
2. Never tighten the drag toward the end of the fight. Saltwater fishermen typically back off the drag when
the fish gets close to the boat to cater for that “one last run.”
3. SUL rod can land big fish if one follows the aforementioned rules.

The fish was well over 5 lbs. Approx. 8 lbs according to the gentleman who entered the water to land the fish.

dp,
Great first post, felt like I was right there during that fight while reading your story. At least you got a quick look at what took your bait. The Cat above was 22" so estimated weight is right at 4 lb. mark, way less than what you were dealing with. Funny thing about nets, last time I forgot to grab mine out of truck was July 3rd and this is what grabbed a little Swiss Swing spinner w/stinger trailer. Felt fortunate to land this Freshwater Drum without a net and as DockShootinJack remarked "that critter pulls like a freight train". All fun on Ultra Light gear. Welcome!