The big one that got away.
I got up at around 4 in the morning and was thinking of what kind of bait to take fishing with me. Carp fishing that is. So I made some ketchup and rice and made some corn meal. I put all kinds of spices in it and it small good to me so I finger the carp would bait it you know. I put Oregano, Parsley, Garlic Salt and Chili Powder in it and one more but I don’t know how to spell it.
Well I got there that morning and got set up at the far end of the lake in the corner. This lake was called Rainbow Lake in Kannapolis N.C.. I got all 3 of my reels in the water at the bush. That was on the bank in the water about 10 yards out. I got a fish after about 20 minutes and it was a teenager.
Well the man came that run the lake now so I went and pay him to fish. Told him that I was going to get a big one today just wait and see. I went back down to where my reels were and I could hear one of them running. So I took off to get it and boy was it a nice one. I got it in and it went about 20 to 24 lbs. I took it up to weight it and it took the 21 jar. So I got a 100.00 out of it. I also go the 16 lb. jar too. that was a 100.00 also.
I went back down to where my reels were and got them back out in the water. The one that I had at the bush is still lying there with the corn meal bait on it. It is getting a hit on it ever now and them. I’m going to just let it lay. Then my other end one takes off and I set the hook on him. I play him a few minutes and get him in and he is about 16 lbs. It was a nice fish so I put him back in the lake. Bait up and get my reel back out. He as the other one came off the rice bait.
Then the one that I had at the bush took off. I set the hook on it and lord and behold the rod bent double. And a wake came across the water I mean a wake. He wasn’t having no part of this I tell you that he wasn’t having any part of it. I would get to start to pull him in and he would take more line out every time. Then I got to see his back and what a back it was. I pull on him for I wanted to see him and as I pull on her she came up to the top and I got a look. He was every bit of 3 and ½ feet long and fat she was as big as my leg. I could tell that it was a she for she was so fat. Full of eggs she was. I bet that she went in the high 30 to mid. 40 the biggest fish that I have ever hooked on rod and reel. She starts to roll now and that was not good for me. I started to ask the lord if it was his wish to let me have her then please do. I got her to the net and she would not fit in it. About that time the line sounded like a 22 going off. I think the lord just the same for letting me play the fish for as long as I did. I will never forget her as long as I live or the corn meal bait that she came off of.
Paul Collins
JustCarp’N
This took place in 1970.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
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