253caster Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 (edited) March 27 at 11:26am the stars aligned and I got her… Wasn’t planning on fishing that morning, but the day prior my boss wanted to trade me vacation weeks so I asked for the rest of the week off as part of the deal and he agreed to it. So I hurry to the lake the next morning, anxious as the conditions are about as ripe as they get this time of year. I arrive at an empty parking/launch facility and rush to get my boat in the water and head over towards my first spot. Three casts in I am running a soft bait parallel to the bank and watch an easy 4-5 pounce on it and pin it to the bank. I set the hook and broke it off. Tie up another soft bait and throw out downhill. I get thumped again only to have that fish run me in to grass and come off and it blew the nose out of the bait so it was virtually destroyed. Rather than spend the time to retie another, I grabbed my glide bait set up and fire it out there. Somewhere near the edge of the same grass bed I got thumped again and lean into it. BIG one. Got her in the net and decided to well her up and run her to the other side of the lake in hopes a bigger fish would move up in her place later in the morning. Heading in to the area I wanted to release the fish at, I started fishing my way in and the glide bait gets thumped again… I see a pale beast of a fish trying to turn and dig but I kept her coming toward me and bounce her off the net as I try and get it under her. She turned and made a strong run, but I got her turned back around and scooped her up. I screamed and shouted a few times in celebration as I knew what I was looking at. It was obvious she had several inches on the fish I had in the livewell. I rush to the shoreline to try and take shelter from the wind and waves and weigh the fish. I let the smaller one go after a few quick pics and a weight so I could focus on giving the bigger one lots of time to rest between photos and measurements. She went 24.2” x 18.7” weighed 10lbs 12oz and shatters my old PB by over a pound. Public waters predator. A true unicorn of a Northern Strain bass. She bit right as the baro bottomed out and after taking my time with her the bite window closed up and I didn’t get bit again the rest of the day. Before releasing her I called my friend Brandon and he just happened to be leaving work early so he shot to the lake to see her and be there for the release. We had always talked about him being there for this fish, and they way it worked out he basically was. On the way home it all hit me. All of the hours dedicated to grind. All of the money spent in the pursuit. All of the failures and mistakes made along the way. All of the time with friends and my family that I selfishly sacrificed for this fish... It all came together and my quest to hit double digits is over. Of course I gotta shout out Brock from Hiroshima Customs for producing the tools that made it all possible and for the customer service over the years keeping baits in rotation that were critical to my success. The bait I caught her on(8.5 hiro) has earned retirement for the years of abuse I’ve put it through. It’s bounced off more hard surfaces than a resin bait should withstand. It hung my wife’s PB as well so it’ll go on the wall, possibly with a replica mount of the fish. A cast to catch, weighing and release video will go up on YT after the spring bite is over. Thanks for taking the time to read. Edited April 2 by 253caster yev14, 119bowhunter, gielo and 38 others 41 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fried Lemons Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Huge congrats on a fish of a lifetime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrierBob Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Congrats, happy for you. Can’t wait to watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 That’s awesome, Brent! Congratulations and well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskickinrednick Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Hell yeah. You been after this for awhile. Representing the PNW. Congrats Brent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishfoo Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Bigg-un I'd be stoked too, big congratulations ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim137a Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Well earned and a huge congratulations on a true Northern Trophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkagitBasser Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Well deserved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harshwaters Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 West Coast BEAST. Congratulations man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yev14 Posted April 3 Report Share Posted April 3 That's a heck of a fish -- Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossyback Angler Posted April 3 Report Share Posted April 3 Congratulations, phenomenal catch and accomplishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jm Apostolakes Posted April 3 Report Share Posted April 3 I can only dream of something like that.....awesome work and a HUGE congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbass Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 That is a monster bass. Well deserved and welcome to the DD club. I hope more come your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CG_Fishes Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Huge congrats! You have put in the time and effort and it all payed off. What an absolute giant fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SumoNinja Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 That's awesome, congrats dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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