St Croix MOJO Bass (I mean HUGE CAT) rods rock! 30+ Pounder!!!!

[FBMoche]

It had been a long time but I finally got to fish with my good friend Rockfish today. His wife and my son joined us and we had a good time. We went out this afternoon in search of smallies and largies.

Everyone caught fish on a variety of baits. Mostly plastics, crankbaits and popr's did the trick.

My son had just landed a nice chunk smallie in a deep run on a speedcraw. I had one come unbuttoned a few minutes before on the same bait so I thought we were on to something. After I snapped a quick photo for my son I tossed back in the hole opposite of where he was fishing. Man was I glad I did.

I felt the fish suck in my speedcraw so I tightened up the line and set the hook. I was using my favorite spinning rod, a St. Croix Mojo Bass Tube and Grub rod. I had 20lb braided spooled with a 10lb fluoro leader. The fish felt good and then it really got going. My drag was singing and was not stopping. I knew I did not have a bass. Well the fish pulled me all over the river taking me whereever she wanted to go. I had nothing for her. It seemed like forever that the fish was on and I had not even seen it yet. When it first flashed it's side I knew it was at least 20lbs. Then I really got a good looked and could tell it was much bigger.

I could not get the fish in my boat so I jammed my rod in a rod holder and paddled to the nearest flats to get out and land the big dude. I finally got her to hand and went about trying to weigh it. No luck, the fish easily surpassed my scale max of 25lbs. I have no idea what she really weighed but I am pretty sure she topped 30 lbs so that is what I will go with. I measured the fish and it was 39 inches long and it had some girth too.

Here is a good look at the beast. Tell me what you might guestimate the weight of this one at.

[turkey]

that's a nice suprise! although i hate catchin cats while bass fishing, i wouldn't mind having that big girl take me for a ride!! nice fish.

[DarrinG]

Sweet! Thats a big cat!

[basshead]

Nice! I love catching a catfish now and again, always a good fight!

[Stump]

Easily 30 lbs. Nice fish!!!

[Lipripper]

About 35 LBS. Very Nice Cat!

[dmurf2005]

Sweet action! A 30 pound cat is always a good bonus fish.

[deadeye]

Ok, we all know you are using CAT NIP! Where is it?

[ol' Feller]

Wow!
Sham-wow! That's a big cat!
Pretty good endorsement to you reel's drag.

[coachdoug87]

That is one nice catfish. I like catching bass more, but I have always thougt catfish are underated. It is a different kind of fight than bass, but a tough fight for sure.