Spin For The Win

This weekend was a bit strange for me.  Part of the strange was me fishing exclusively with my spinning rod.  The other part was hooking into a yellow bullhead.  One of the reasons I decided to go with my spinning rod was, I wanted to catch the fish in the backyard utilizing a different method.  I like variety.

On Saturday, I decided to use my spinning rod to toss out a floating Rapala lure with hopes of finding some bass cruising in the shallows.  15 minutes into my backyard outing, I hook into a fish.  At first I thought it was a bass, and as I was reeling it in, it was sort of barrel rolling on the surface of the water all of the way in.  I was surprised, because, that's a new species to my knowledge for the backyard lake.

I've handled quite a few catfish this year of all different sizes...I've lip grabbed all of them with no problem.  Did they bite down, yes.  Did they hurt, no.  All good, I'll just lip grab this little bullhead to better get the lure free.   OUCH!!!!!  Teeth like Velcro just like a bass, but I was not expecting them to have such a strong bite.  Whoa!!!  I was totally not expecting this little dude to have such a strong jaw.  While I was cursing the bullhead out, it bit down even harder, and I just couldn't wait to get my finger free, so, the lure had to come out after me.  Haha

Note: The short video is silent.  There were some curse words and laughing, but the GoPro case doesn't have good audio.  I hope it works.  If it doesn't, you'll be able to play it on my Instagram page - ( JUSTINCARF )

***Click on the center to get it to play***

Tossed a lure tonight looking for some cruising bass. Instead I hooked into a yellow bullhead. This little fucker had the strongest jaw, and actually drew blood from my finger. That fucker! #fishing #bassfishing #bass #swampdonkey #slouchmob #trophycatch #catchandrelease #catfish #bullhead #yellowbullhead #bitch #cat #fish #gopro #ouch #punk #rapala

A video posted by Justin Carf (@justincarf) on Sep 26, 2015 at 7:11pm PDT

After quite a few curse words with laughing in between, I was finally free, and then the lure was, and this little guy was free to swim and terrorize me, again, in the future.  I'll be better prepared for him.

Oh yeah, he drew blood.  What as asshole! Haha

Sunday morning, I tied our little dog Bo Marley's leash to my belt and went into the backyard.  I brought my spinning rod, again, but this time I tossed a Mann's -1 in the firetiger color scheme.  Bo barks at my lure whenever he see's it and I can see it in his eyes that he want's to chase it out into the lake.  

I've caught fish with him tied to me before, but he's never seen a big fish.  I hooked into a decent little guy and Bo tried biting at it's tail while I was trying to get the lure out.  After getting the lure out I let him make a fishy friend....and he licked him.  Is it weird for new friends lick each other? Daisy is visiting with my Mom, but I'm curious how she would react to a fish.  We shall see.

***Click on the center to get it to play***

Good morning bass! Tossed a Manns -1 on the spinning rod this morning for 30 minutes. Note - I did not kick the dog haha. #fishing #bassfishing #bass #bucketmouth #largemouth #largemouthbass #gopro #topwater #swampdonkey #slouchmob #lunker #monster #fish #spinforthewin #goprofishing #goproeverything #catchandrelease #midwestfishing #midwest #outdoors #catchandrelease

A video posted by Justin Carf (@justincarf) on Sep 27, 2015 at 8:31am PDT

Bo Marley meet Bass.  Bass meet Bo Marley.

It was a good weekend.

#SPINFORTHEWIN

Sick and Sunshine

My GF passed on whatever sickness she had last weekend to me, so, I can be miserable this past weekend. With temps in the 40-50s and the sun shining, I watched from our 2nd floor bedroom window as all of the snow melted away, and ice start to retreat to corners of the backyard lake.

Saturday afternoon I had it. I just had to go outside and make a cast, and to get some fresh air for me and Bo (One of our dogs. The other is visiting my mom.). My GF eventually came outside and enjoyed the sunshine, as well.

I casted a square bill lure in a natural colored pattern with my baitcaster. I hooked something 10 minutes in, and to my surprise it was a carp!! It was hooked on the outside of the mouth with the front treble hook, and on the side of the head with the back treble. Is it a catch? - I'll allow it.

Right behind me is my GF's townhouse. Pretty sweet!

...and here's the face I'm sure everyone makes when a fish is set to flop right out of your hands. Luckily, this one didn't escape my grasp, but you can definitely see the concern on my face. HAHA!

This picture is definitely a wall hanger!

Off it goes. Hopefully, the next time I hook up with that carp, it'll be with my fly rod, and I won't be sick. Don't you just love a good release shot! I know I do. Not bad for a 15 minute outing. Oh, Happy Days!!

**It started to snow again on Sunday afternoon, and as of this Monday morning, I can see that we accumulated about 3 inches of heavy wet snow. When will it end!!!

Fishless

Since last Sunday's bluegill fest, the only thing I've caught were some sweet shots. The weather has been up and down, and when it has been nice....I've been at work. Go figure! This past Sunday, I did go out with a few friends in search of muskie at a local lake, but I had to leave my fly rod packed away in my car, because, it was extremely windy. We chucked big cranks, and inline spinners with no luck, but that's nothing normal to me....I've never caught a muskie. The hunt continues....

One of my buddies muskie boxes, and him chuckin' in the back.

My buddy walking on the bridge. I'm quite proud of this shot.

Skull of a squirell??

My other buddy Danny just chillen on the pier.

Danny serving up some inline spinners.

Me in my superhero stance looking over the lake for evil doing ski's.