[Runnin' Bare]

Since I still get 2 or 3 PM's every year about the fish in my avatar, I figured I would share the entire story with everyone. Even though I am 6'6" tall and weighed around 270# in the photo, the fish still looks big!

July 19th, 2002 started as a cloudy, foggy day with waves less than a foot. My dad and I left the dock at 5:30am and decided to setup in 50', half way between the harbor and Great Lakes. With dad on the wheel, I set the first line; a rigger down 44'. As I was reaching for rod #2, the first one fired. I pulled the rod out of the rodholder with my left hand and told my dad to take it, since I had another rod in my right hand. As soon as he grabbed the stick, the fish woke up and started peeling line. I decided to stow the other rod I was setting and again slipped the boat into neutral. I retrieved the only downrigger ball and then sat back and watched. It was an epic battle, with the fish making several long runs. Dad would slowly get the line back and then the fish would take it back out again. Finally, about 20 minutes later, I was able to reach him with the net. This one weighed 26.3# and remains the boat record to this day. My dad's arms were so tired, he couldn't hold the fish up for a proper photo, so I had to do it!



Ironically, after we got this brute squared away in the cooler, I still wasn't able to get that same rod to stay set. We ended up going 3 for 4 on some nice, chunky coho before I ever got rod #2 in the water.

Jerry
Runnin' Bare

[Bubbalouie]

Think that'll be a shoo-in for the Hall!! Yep, always liked that Avatar- and now I "know the rest of the story"

thanks,

Bruce

[Chili]

Awesome fish great job!!!

[Tom]

Quote:

I set the first line; a rigger down 44'

That wouldn't have been a yellow (chartreuse fishscale) 0 dodger & blue/green/aqua now would it?

Tom

[Runnin' Bare]

Whatever would make you think that, Tom?

Jerry
Runnin' Bare

[T-bo]

Wow Jerry! That's a brute man. Fish of a lifetime in fact! Like Bruce said, definitely a shoe in for the "Hall of Fame". Great job.

T-bo

[Luckydog]

One word.....WOW!