There are monsters out there.

One of them lives in Betsy's pond, and my summers' work is defined.

Get that son-of-a-bitch!

Saturday Andy, Doug & I went to Betsy's pond. I had a really slow start; Doug & Andy were fishing with crappie jigs and getting quite a few fish. I was fishing a jig and occasionally a rattletrap. I had just bought a red shad diamond-back rattletrap, and after about the 10th cast, the red paint started coming off. No, I hadn't been banging the rocks, either. Anyway, it was silver underneath. I was fuming, wondering if I should take it back. Then, baang! I connected with a 6# bass. Good fight, and the bass had just eaten a crappie; the tail was sticking out of her throat. Nice fish. They started turning on to my trap, and Andy & Doug changed tactics. About an hour later, I hit another good one. It came toward the boat, feeling about like the 6-pounder did. Then all hell broke loose. She wanted to go the other way. And did. I have the drag set pretty stiff on the spinning reel I was using, and she started running and kept running. The reel was singing! After about 30-40 yards, *POOF* gone. Just gone. The trap either pulled out of her mouth, or she took a turn around a stick or something. I was stunned. My heart rate was probably about 180, my knees were weak. This was a trophy fish! This was a helluva lot of fun! Since I do catch & release exclusively, she was still where I wanted her. But... I wanted to see her, heft her, weigh her... and I will. Just not this time.

Eight pounds is now my personal record, and I believe that this one was at least 12. I have never felt such power on the end of my line. I am going to put some Gamagetsu trebles on my traps, though. This will NEVER happen again!(Losing such a fish, I mean.)

Work was not too bad last night, but Friday night was busier 'n hell, again. Sundays are always busy, and I only got six hours of rest today. Woke up, couldn't get back to sleep again. I go in at 19:00 tonight and work 12 hours.