41 lbs., Oct. 23, 2000: Cape/ Truro. Live Eel, 17 lb. mono...
I've written before here about the phenomenal Cape Bass Falls I experienced between 1998- 2002 (pre- seal party), which featured truly unbelievable #'s of 12- 25 lb. fish... while 35#+' ers were very rare. I caught at least 1000 bass (& released all as usual!) during those years there-- & none bigger than 33lbs., until/ except this one!
Typically, it was a solitary fish during a slow night. Was very cold by then (32 degrees that night), & most had figured it was "done" on- Cape & quit. I had several mid- 20 lb. fish the prev. two nights on this my last trip on- Cape, and was giving it one more night before relocating to NY/ M. for the rest of the Fall. Scouted Ballston during that day, & saw small Herring washed up all over the beach in big #'s chased by small Blues. Some locals were there catching, but I just noted to come back late that night on the "right" tide with Eels, when hopefully Ballston would be empty & comfortable to fish.
It was! -- one truck in the lot when I arrived, & he was just leaving hitless... But after 1.5 hours of my casting a big Eel without a hit, I figured they were the smart ones warm at home. Kept at it, & half an hour later I had my hit! Great fight on 17#, a quick weighing on my hand- scale, & back she went! (this was before I knew weighing damaged Bass potentially meant for release. I'm now experimenting with a net/ cradle weighing system for horizontal/ supported weighing & release on my boat, & may soon adapt if for surf/ carrying). She was the only Cape- caught Striper I ever had that managed to (half) open a 5/0 Gak Octopus hook! -- luck (& rel. light tackle) was on my side w/ her!
As I'm a hold-out (weirdo?) who insists on staying strictly with mono.-- rarely over 20 lb. test-- I have hooked and lost many bigger Bass (including one this Sept. on a Lifishinvt Darter at M.!)... But that's all another story!...
