Had a guys weekend on Lake Hamilton in the gorgeous Ouachita mountains in hopes of a trophy striper. Ewilson, Jolsson, and Stripershack joined me. Our mornings started out like this...


Our spread consisted of planers, free lines, and balloon rigs...




We started out catching some solid fish...




Then at mid-day this monster hit...



This 44" beast put up an epic battle in which Stripershack fought flawlessly. I'll let him fill in the details...

Wow! Very Nice
Looking forward to hearing more...

WOW on the fish! And tackleaholics on the gear! Looks great.

BEAST!

Man what a trip, had an absolute blast! Couldn't of spent it with a better group of guys. It was below freezing in the mornings just to give away to gorgeous brisk afternoons.

When that fish hit and made it's first initial run I know I had never even come close to hooking or catching something with such brute power. What seemed like forever, that fish did what ever it wanted to. Right in the middle of the fight it decided to surface and give an impressive jump followed by a huge tail slap ever driving the fish further away, at that moment and the first time seeing it I just couldn't believe how big it was.

After several minutes I finally got her turned and that is when the stand still happened and besides the jump I was at my most nervous point. With so much line out and she no longer taking it, but at the same time I'm not gaining any, I thought she hung me up. Finally after applying as much pressure as I could get a way with she started coming my way and I know then I had her.

Having so much great respect for these trophy fish there was now question, she was getting released and that is exactly what I did. Took a few pics, weight, length then Trent got on the trolling motor while I had her down in the water doing S curves, with a quick bite and a powerful thrash she was gone..... until we meet again.

Trent, Erich, James, I couldn't of done it with out ya, thanks and thanks for a great time.

I got some of the fight, landing, and release on video, when I get half a second I'll post it.

Now the next problem, I will never beat that fish in Texas waters, Arkansas or Tennesse here I come!

***** Video



***** Video

I have difficulties trolling 3 or 4 lines from my boat, even with downriggers.

Very nice catches

Very Nice

Total awesomeness!! In calm water and residental areas too. How deep were the water? Were they ya'll personal bests?

Did ya'll take some back to Texas water?? LOL. Awesome pics!!

Nice to hear of a big one from Hamilton instead of Ouachita. Sounds like all had a really good trip, great job landing that trophy fish and releasing. My son lives in Hot springs very near Hamilton, may have to visit him more often.

Thanks for sharing , what and awesome striper!! Once in a lifetime fish for most of us. I would have a replica and use it as a hood ornament ??!!

Such a beautiful fish! Congrats!

That is awesome!!! What were yall using for baits.

wow!!!! trent you da man!

Woo Hoo! I recognize that boat! I hope you got to catch some of those fish too Trent and not just drive and take pictures!!

Beautiful Fish!

That's called a dream fish because that's what most of us on here dream of catching! Great pictures and write up. Thanks for sharing...

TOTALLY AWESOME!!

My next trip to Arkansas will be to fish Hamilton. Strange, we usually stay on Hamilton when we go thru Hot Springs, and I never realized it had Stripers.

Looks like a great trip.

Awesome lake as well!

Way to go Chad very nice

Killer fish. Time for a road trip. Congrats!!!

The water we fished was 20-70' with most fish being pulled out of the deeper water. Shack had the only PB of 35#. I got my PB of 25# last time in December.

Jolsson hooked us up with some giant brood shiners.

I did. We all had 3 lines out each for an equal opportunity for a trophy fish. Shack's lucky hat and boxers , as he kept reminding us, gave him the mojo this round. The fish seemed to prefer the planer presentation.

Nice fish!!! Congrats on the catch