Shearon Harris Report 4/11

[BassManMartin]

Hello all, fished Harris lake today with not much luck at all. The water was definitely up and appears to be at normal levels (from what I remember it being at) temperature range was 64-68 degrees. Saw lots and lots of fish on the depth finder at about 30-40 feet, I am assuming they were crappie because they were bunched up normally around a drop off. I didn't get skunked, but came really close. I hooked and landed 1 bass on a Chili Pepper culprit worm that was about 2 pounds. My buddy lost 1 and had about 3 or 4 other bites. I lost 1 other and and had a few other bites. Got there at 6:45 am, were about 5 boats there so im thinking it was going to be a good day. By around 9:00 there were prob 3 times that many there and im guessing there were probably around 30+ when I left at 2:00. Wind started picking up around 10:00 and it got a little harder to fish. I tried at least 10 different spots but most every time I moved somewhere I ended up fishing behind someone or there were already 3 or 4 boats when I got there. Tried spinnerbaits, crankbaits, carolina rig, and x-rap.

NOW...about the one I lost....I know every fisherman has there "fish story"...well guys here's mine...I was fishing a Firetiger crankbait that dives to about 8'. I was throwing it at the bank in about 2 feet of water and bringing it out to about 10'. Well, I felt a hit so I set the hook, and as soon as I did, I knew I had something huge. The fish hardly moved when I set the hook. I fought this fish for 3 minutes and it only broke the water one time. Guys, this was easily the largest fish I have ever hooked, and I have a 10lb bass on the wall. I had a 6'6 Med-Hvy rod that was bent double, almost like a ultra lite crappie rod and I had my drag almost as tight as it would go and the fish was still pulling line...needless to say, the fish pulled off and I sat there for about 15 minutes shaking with excitement and fuming with anger. Im still kicking myself for losing that fish. Im almost positive it was a bass, pretty sure it was not a catfish or a gar or anything. Oh well, you win some you lose some...but I wish it had not of been that one.