Coachella Canal PB

[Geraldlim]

Went early this morning to try my luck at the canal. Got to the 1st spot at 4:45am. Tried for 15 minutes but it was just too windy to cast or even drift this spot. The wind was blowing the bait back to me.

Pulled up stakes and moved to the 2nd spot. Got there 5:30am. Much less windy, but low water here, about 2 feet deep only. On the 2nd cast got a tap. OK promising, something's out there. Next cast - WHAM! Got hit hard, and when it started pulling drag and taking me downstream I knew it was no schoolie. I patiently played with it, but had to walk downstream to get any line back. Several nice runs later it was slowing down and I turned on my shoulder mounted flashlight as it got closer. Finally it was played out and I brought it to the bank. Nice fat one, and I attempted to slide it up the side, but with only 8 lb leader I could not do it. So I walked it downstream 50 yards to the nearest ladder, climbed down to the water's edge and reached down and grabbed it with my lip gripper.

A nice fat 7.5 pound male!

[Geraldlim]

I tried for another hour or so but only got a few taps but to hookups. Got home and weighed and measured it. 28 inches, 7.5 lbs.

It nutted in the plastic bag on the way home, a real mess! Washed it off and took more pics, then cleaned it. It had 2 really nice big shad in it's gut, fully 6" long and fat. Really glad the shad are back. I expect more stripers will follow.

[yolo]

Nice PB fish Gerald! Looks like you got the canal stuff down. Plastics, gripper, working it to a ladder. You get an A+

[Geraldlim]

I try to learn from successful anglers.
Yolo uses a gripper, I had to get me one too. ;-)
Wish I could get a nice long handled one.
BTW did you notice I am using a Cabelas Fish Eagle rod too? ;-)

[Geraldlim]

rabbit77 you need to clear your inbox.

[yolo]

I try to learn from successful anglers.
Yolo's uses a gripper, I had to get me one too. ;-)
Wish I could get a nice long handled one.
BTW did you notice I am using a Cabelas Fish Eagle rod too? ;-)

That I actually did not notice but you are now scaring me

As far as a bigger gripper. Ask and you shall receive. Check this bad boy out http://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Big-Ga...248146&sr=8-10

[yolo]

It gets even better. Berkley has a Mix & Match any 2 items promo rebate until June 2011. You get $3 with $10 purchase, $7 with $20 purchase or $15 with $40 purchase. Here's the link for the rebate form and info. Not a bad deal http://www.berkley-fishing.com/sites...ch-promo_0.pdf

[rabbit77]

ok I just did

[VietReefer]

You... Why did have to take my future PB from me???? :D
Good job my friend .. glad to see such a big unit came out from there :)

[Geraldlim]

You... Why did have to take my future PB from me???? :D
Good job my friend .. glad to see such a big unit came out from there :)

I thought you told me you just got a 16 pounder at the canal yesterday?



Oh yeah - you later corrected it to 16 ounces
Had me going for a while there!