[frankiesurf]

I must say I do enjoy picking up the Noreast Mag every week. I like the articles about management, Surf Side by John Skinner, The Salty Fly and of course the pictures.

Congrats to Eric for having his boy with some big blues in the Yak. He looks thrilled.

My only problem is the cover shot. Now, my nephew who is 160 lbs had a helluva time reeling in two schoolies on an umbrella rig on 150 feet of wire. This cover features a 49 lb bass next to a little girl who must weigh at least 10 lbs less than the fish. Am I supposed to believe this girl caught that fish?

 

[Lattitudechange]

Yes you are.

My four year old has caught more fish (on her Barbie rod) than I ever did when I was her age. So believe it.

 

[KATsFish]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm NO!

I have been trying for two seasons now out in Orient for BIG BASS...I weigh 115 lbs and am 5'2".

Trolling a rig...A 15lb Bass or chopper can Kick my butt....the biggest I had on a troll was double hookup 15lber and about 20lber and that had me shaking down to my ankles and my shoulders were smokin....

I had to lean against my husband for support..

It is a great cover to see the size difference.....BUT....

In all due respect..If that peanut set and reeled in that fish herself...I will pay for her to give me a lesson to teach me how she did it.........and I am not even jokin'...

SO PM me I will be right over for that lesson...

Never-the-less........that lil sweetie pie...Keep Fishin and Keep KATchin and one day no doubt you will Katch a cow like that.

Kat

 

[JACKSON]

I've had lots of kids in the 5-8 range land bass from 25-35lbs. If the bass is 1000lbs it doesn't matter. The drag will still pull at x pounds, It only takes longer.
You guys are right about dragging umbrella rigs. It does kick your butt. There is a lot of resistance there and the wire is a PITA. It's much easier reeling in a big fish on mono than a 4/0senator loaded with wire.
Do I believe the little girl caught the fish? Yes. Did dad help? Of course but who gives a ****. What dad wouldn't help their little peanut land a cow?

This post edited by JACKSON 02:22 AM 08/23/2008

 

[schoolman]

I Didn't Know THE PROFESSIONAL Had A Daughter?

In All Honesty ... a few additional words including "assistance" in the caption could have been added. But really, who cares? Any reasonable and experienced bass angler knows what a struggle a fish like that cover fish can give. Let the proud dad and daughter have their day in the sun.

BTW, if it came in unassisted, I think Amber's behemoth will easily qualify for IGFA World Record (under 5 division).

 

[NYBightEditor]

Actually, the igfa small fry division is 10 and under. The current girls small fry record is 47 pounds 15 ounces.
For those of you who doubt whether someone so small could handle a fish like that - I am with you. A couple of years ago a young man caught a beautiful bass - close to 60 - without help from another person. He DID however, have help from the rail he rested the rod against. If you rail the rod, you can bring in anything.
The important thing is that a big fish was caught (at least in part) by the efforts of a child. Great catch no matter how you slice it!

 

[crabman1130]

When my son was young I would help him and I always said he caught the fish.
Would you expect her dad to tell her she didn't catch it? Of course he gave her the credit, that's what dads do.

 

[KATsFish]

Schoolman so true...the word assisted should have been added...
Crab it is one thing to tell the kid they kaught it another to post it in a magazine...that was what sparked this thread...

But seeing her next to the fish...My Gosh that cow could swallow her Head is amazing and that she was involved is really wonderful !

The pic is Priceless !

She has a beautiful Memory of fishing with her Dad...and the whole event probably encouraged another future OMD...LOL

But hearing about all these kids pulling up Cows ...I have to say...stumps me

...I am giving 100%...and finally got a 30lber and reeled it in myself with no one touching my rod....that was on a lighter rod only dropped 30' down....but the strain on my wrists and arms is major....I need to talk to these kids for pointers...

Bottom line...Like NYB said....

Congratulations to both of them for an OUTSTANDING Katch !

Kat

 

[crabman1130]

KATsFish wrote:
Schoolman so true...the word assisted should have been added...
Crab it is one thing to tell the kid they kaught it another to post it in a magazine...that was what sparked this thread...

But seeing her next to the fish...My Gosh that cow could swallow her Head is amazing and that she was involved is really wonderful !

The pic is Priceless !

She has a beautiful Memory of fishing with her Dad...and the whole event probably encouraged another future OMD...LOL

But hearing about all these kids pulling up Cows ...I have to say...stumps me

...I am giving 100%...and finally got a 30lber and reeled it in myself with no one touching my rod....that was on a lighter rod only dropped 30' down....but the strain on my wrists and arms is major....I need to talk to these kids for pointers...

Bottom line...Like NYB said....

Congratulations to both of them for an OUTSTANDING Katch !

Kat
So for an encore are you going to tell her about Santa Clause?

 

[1ReelDeal]

Hey Kat - seen you struggle

Dear Kat - I have seen pictures of you and some big fish. Why hasn't someone taken the time to tell you that to gain a little leverage on the old cows and big Blues you are supposed to put the rod butt on your hip or abdomen NOT UP UNDER YOUR ARM PIT!! I have seen it many times and wonder why some experienced deck hands, mates, captains and companions don't share this and help the angler out! MY 2 cents!

This post edited by 1ReelDeal 05:51 PM 08/23/2008

 

[KATsFish]

I ask all the time.....

NYBightEditor wrote:

For those of you who doubt whether someone so small could handle a fish like that - I am with you.
A couple of years ago a young man caught a beautiful bass - close to 60 - without help from another person.
He DID however,
have help from the rail he rested the rod against.
If you rail the rod, you can bring in anything.

Crabby.....I was sincerely responding to smaller people pulling up Cows and wanting to know how they could do that.....and seriously want to know...so I can be more effective and not get so bruised up.

If I ever get lucky enough to have a monster like that on the end of my line.....I don't want to loose it.....so if a kid could do it...then maybe I am missing something.

As I remember you telling me to switch armpits to gain leverage...I tried it yesterday while fluking...the reel flopped worse then on the right....were your ears ringing..

..I said crabby said try this..LOL

My question led to this pointer.........

1ReelDeal wrote:

Dear Kat -
I have seen pictures of you and some big fish.
Why hasn't someone taken the time to tell you that to gain a little leverage on the old cows and big Blues you are supposed to put the rod butt on your hip or abdomen NOT UP UNDER YOUR ARM PIT!!
I have seen it many times and wonder why some experienced deck hands, mates, captains and companions don't share this and help the angler out! MY 2 cents!

Thanks 1Reel.....for the input and I will try the hip stance...
can't do the stomach...have a bum gallbladder and have to watch where I place the rod tip anywhere in that area...

I have asked every Captain and deck hand to watch what I am doing and give me some instruction.......or to give me the belted rod holder...
you know what they say....Your doing fine we will help you...

I want to do it myself and I hear that kids do it...

So far I have gotten this advice...

Stand leaning your weight on your back left leg...
Hold the tip lower to alliviate the stress on your back, arms and wrist while reeling...
(But I am afraid to let the line go slack..haven't lost one Big Bass yet..keep those lines tight I keep saying in my head)
Lean the rod against the wall if one is behind you
(By a woman that is a wife of a charter Capt and gets Cows)
Have used the rail for leverage but can't reel it....
sat down on the bench behind me...

Basically I just plow my way thru until it is on the deck..and deal with the soreness the next two days.

1R...I will try the rod butt on my hip the next time

I wish I could see a video of small people doing this.
A pic speaks a 1000 words...I think I will google it now.

Thanks for advice 1R.....but I am done...off to do my own research.

Caio

Kat

 

[canyonfvr]

I smell a lot of Jealousy here

 

[crabman1130]

Kat, I still say you need to put the rod under your left arm pit if you are going to fight a fish that way.

A gimble will help you also.

But to get back on track. Even though most of us don't believe that little girl could reel in that fish without assistance, there is no reason, in this case, to make a federal case out of it.

 

[canyonfvr]

crabman1130 wrote:
Kat, I still say you need to put the rod under your left arm pit if you are going to fight a fish that way.

A gimble will help you also.

But to get back on track. Even though most of us don't believe that little girl could reel in that fish without assistance, there is no reason, in this case, to make a federal case out of it.

Gimble Smimhble I fight sharks n Tuna with out one Kat can whoop a Bass without one too

 

[KATsFish]

Asking questions is making a federal case.......

crabman1130 wrote:

Even though most of us don't believe that little girl could reel in that fish without assistance, there is no reason, in this case, to make a federal case out of it.

Joey...........I thought that is what these threads were for was to ask questions in which the author asked.....and I quote...
Frankie wrote:

My only problem is the cover shot. Now, my nephew who is 160 lbs had a helluva time reeling in two schoolies on an umbrella rig on 150 feet of wire. This cover features a 49 lb bass next to a little girl who must weigh at least 10 lbs less than the fish.

Am I supposed to believe this girl caught that fish?

I gave my opinion as a small person gave my congrats and encouragement
This isn't the Lounge so I thought I would participate in this thread and give my opinion as well as ask some serious constructive questions and get input.........

There might be other lurkers out there with the same problem and questions.

Sorry if in doing so I offended you.....

fever wrote:
I smell a lot of Jealousy here

Not Jealousy Fever........amazed, awestruck, baffled....

fever wrote:
Gimble Smimhble I fight sharks n Tuna with out one Kat can whoop a Bass without one too

Thanks for the vote of confidence Cany

crabman1130 wrote:

Kat, I still say you need to put the rod under your left arm pit if you are going to fight a fish that way.
A gimble will help you also

Now what is a gimble?
Is that the T bar you rest on your groin with the rod holder in it that has no straps...
Captain Mike of Primetime had one and when I asked for it he said........you will be fine and don't need it.

I wear a belt while trolling but it actually slipped around to my right hip and the guys had to jump down and straighten it out while I was reeling so I had Pablo tighten it up for the next try.

K

 

[crabman1130]

I spelled it wrong, it's gimbal, and yes it's the belt you wear to put the butt of the rod in. If you put the rod butt in your abbs or on your hip you will be black and blue. ( I'm sorry you just don't have the padding that I do) The gimbal will keep this from happening.

 

[KATsFish]

Thank You Mr Crab !

I knew you would pull up a pic..

what is the one without the straps?
It looked like just a bar that you set in your lap with a rod holder cup no strap?

If Pablo see this....guess what I am getting for Christmas...LOL

K

This post edited by KATsFish 09:35 PM 08/23/2008

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Kat,

That would be a "Rod Huki." They come in three sizes though, so make sure you're getting the right one. I bought a medium at the shop not knowing, only size they had, and it didn't fit my offshore rods.

 

[longhunter]

Equipment & Technique

Kat,

Since i am 65 now not 25 I've had to change my technique when fighting a large fish and also my equipment. I'm not interested in setting any records, just getting the fish in the boat. My left rotor cup is severely damaged and I use the rail to compensate for it. I had a rail rod built just for this purpose. I like fishing for Tile and Tuna and fighting a big fish the "Macho" way is history.

In the pictures below you can see the difference between my trolling rod and my rail rod. Rail rod has a 24" foregrip with notches cut for holding the rail, shorter rear grip for more leverage and a round gimbal. I also went to all 2-speed reels. The last picture is my leg after the "Lizards" charter. Bluefish did that. I can't show you my groin, Pablo might get jealous.

Dennis

This post edited by longhunter 09:23 AM 08/24/2008

 

[baywatch]

Custom Fit

Kat.
I agree with longhunter on more then a few things.

First the butt end of the rod should suitable for keeping the reel close to your body and allowing you to use the forgrip properly. It all boils down to leverage, not strength.

I have had a few rods made for me and like a butt end around 14 inches, from the end of the rod to the reel seat, but I am 6 foot tall also so this will change for you own height.

Rule of thumb that I go by is when standing straight up and the rod in the gimbal you would like the rod almost on a 45 degree angle away from your body with arms straight out. This leaves room for cranking and playing the fish without having to rail the rod. If you have to you can always bend over a bit to get the rod down further but the bottom line is you still have the leverage, just by standing up straight you will can more leverage and cranking the reel if it's not running line off on you.

Using the belt is fine also to help alliviate planting it on your hip thus avoiding bruising as shown. I rarely put the butt end under my armpit on a big fish. I place it on my hip/groin area and use the leverage from there

Another thing L/H has is power handles on his reels. That alone will help in your retrieve. I have 3 Shimano TLD 25's that I use for Tarpon down here. They came with there standard handle but I switched them out to a power handle which I bought a Tuna Tackle right in Deer Park when I was up last year.

What a differnece in helping landing a fish and having something more then a button size handle in your palm.

Now when your on your Orient charters do you use a boat rod or your own tackle. I know having a custom rod made cost few bucks but if you are going to contiue to try for trophy size bass I would suggest spending some time with a rod builder and have one fitted to your size as well as getting the right reel and power handle if needed.

Hey if your gonna get something for Christmas go for the gusto.

Also if you have one made make sure you have a gimbal at the end of the butt to match up with your belt, this way the rod is locked in one position and won't roll on you when using the belt.

Here are a few pictures of good technique for large fish. They a re both from my Tarpon Club.

First is the hook and run, notice the way the rod is, almost on 45 degree angle , angler is Bob

Second is a buddies wife Ellie on a 125 pound Tarpon, same technigue.

BTW Ellie is one **** of a a fisherman/...err sorry fisherperson.. having well over 30 Tarpon under her belt.

BTW congrats to the girl and here Dad on a life long memeory

This post edited by baywatch 10:16 AM 08/24/2008