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Canal
Well, I showed up at the Sag Bridge, but the fishing buddy I was suppose to meet there was nowhere to be found. Drove around looking for him, but I guess he had decided to pass based on traffic, etc. So I went back to the Sag and decided to get at least a few casts in. Someone was on the spot I had planned on fishing, so I just moved over closed to the bridge and cast out as far as I could with a 10" Fin-s. (4-oz jihhead)
2nd cast, and WHAM! My line stopped cold, like I hooked into a submerged truck. Then the line started going out hard and my heavy canal stick was pumping, bent in a full arc. All I could do was lean back and hang on and wait for the fish to stop. I had the drag down pretty tight, (60-lb braid with mono leader) so I was dug in for a tug of war. After a time, I was able to gain some line on the fish, and then it took some more back. It was very heavy and shaking it's head. Finally I got it turned and headed back toward me. As I'm now gaining a little line, suddenly the hook simply came out and I almost fell on my ass. Of course I yelled the appropriate exclaimation, (one word). Reeled in my line and it was fine. Just bad luck. What can ya do? Anyway, I was glad to have hooked up with it so at least I got the drive back to head back down to the ditch a little more often.
That was easily the biggest fish I ever hooked in the canal. 30-lbs minimum...likely more. Anyway, I hung out till slack at 9:30, then headed home...
Spent all the next morning re-sharpening all my jig hooks...
And I'll probably loosen that drag juuuuust a little...
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