This is my third personal best fish since I ordered the Cuda. I caught a 19lb blue cat out of my wifes kayak while the Cuda was on order. My first trip in the Cuda I landed a 23.25" bass that probably went 7lbs. Today I landed another blue. I caught it fishing for bass just like the other blue. The people at Jackson apparently sent my boat with a little extra mojo. I also landed big bass in the first KATS event last weekend.

Another kudos to Jackson. This boat was extremely stable when pull this monster in. My old Tarpon was very tipsy when I tried pulling the 19lber in. On with the story.....

Went to Lady Bird Lake today to brush off the skunk from yesterday. Hit the water around 7am and headed towards Barton Creek. No luck and saw it was around 9 and I needed to leave at 11. I hit two other familiar spots before I left. I got a few short strikes but couldn't get a commitment. Frustrated I switched to a jig. On my first cast I felt it stop way before it hit bottom. I reeled up felt something and set the hook with all I had.
When I set the hook I pulled drag like it wasn't set right. I tightened the drag and set it again. That's when i felt the fish pull. I knew it was big, maybe 10 or more. I reeled in trying to force the fish away from snags. She had other plans and tried wrapping me up but I was anchored and had leverage on my side along with braided line and a heavier rod. She started coming to the surface but never fully appeared. I pulled her, she pulled back with a vengeance and peeled drag like it was nothing. All I could do was sit and watch in awe as line steadily left my reel. Even if I didn't get the fish aboard I was in amazement as its shear strength. After 5 minutes of me reeling her in and her pulling more drag my arm about gave out but I got a glimpse of her. Another monster cat! I knew she was bigger than my 19lb from a few weeks ago. I had no idea how big though. After 10 minutes she wore out, thank god cause I couldn't take anymore. My arm was tired and I was toast. It took me 5 more minutes to get her in the kayak. She fell out of my hand 5 times or more, bit me a couple times and made me bleed. The only way I got her in was to hook the scale to her and pull her up. She weighed in at 34.14-35lbs. I couldn't lift her very long and I was worn out. She was too long to hold up out of the water very much so it's possible she may have been a few more ounces over 35. A lady rowing stopped and asked how I was doing and checked out the fish as I removed the jig and released it. 6 lbs away from the lake record but it was 100% awesome!!!!

Sweet

Very nice. That's a sweet fish. A set of Team Catfish fish grips will solve those handling problems. They have saved my bacon many times.

WOW what a fish congrats on fish and Cuda!

2 on a jig? mojo indeed. maybe you should target them & take that lake record home!
tis the season to catch biggens

Dang that's a whale... Congrats...

What a pig!! Congrats!

Congrats on a great day and having things that please you so much. It is really nice when we find what we were looking for.

Tight lines, Phill

You need a bigger measuring stick. Thats a good thing!

incredible, congrats again

Thanks everyone! My arm is still sore from that battle lol.

Nice catch!

Wow what a beast, niiice!

Porky

Congrat's that's a pig!

You keep going and you're going to need a bigger boat!

dude! what a fish! +1000000000 for doing it in the yak! looks like you got that jackson just in time!

Haha sure did. I met kent when I left the ramp that day. He was saying you were interested in a Cuda. If you wanna try mine out feel free to let me know and we can set a day to meet up. Turns out you live down the road from the wife and me as well. I go by mjv80 on the AKF site.

Kent told me that when he got home. I was like NO WAY...he lives just down the road?! We live across from the pond. Today I saw several people fishing out there. You ever fish out of there? I know it prob sucks but it's close to the house for the cold days.
Hope to see you around more. I haven't been out in 2 weeks.

What a PIGGGGGG

Ive only gone to that pond once. I was just messing around with a new reel and never caught anything. I dont like to go there. Those ducks make me uneasy hahaha.

I usually go to The Bird every weekend but with tourney season in full swing I may only be there on occasion. For sure though if you want to try the Cuda let me know. My wife has a Tarpon 120 if you feel like trying that out as well. I've been trying to get her to fish but she doesnt care to touch fish lol.

Awesome fish, y'all guys on here with the big fish ate getting me fired up for this weekend!

I let my dog chase the ducks lol. I get some really mean looks but I could care less.
I need a female yaking partner! I don't mind fishing with Kent, Fred etc...but I need a tequila drinking, fishing buddy lol who wants to talk about life and emotions LOL.
Did you get her that gear you were talking about for xmas? Even if she doesn't like fishing, it's a great stress reliever to yak.

Kent's tourney starts in March so I am sure I will have to fish wherever he goes. Does he have your number? I would like to try to see if I can stand and fish out of it before I invest all that cashola!

nice fish congrats

Yea I bought her a spinning combo but she hasnt even touched it yet. Damn thing wasnt cheap either haha. She enjoys using her camera and taking pics most of the time on the water. Her main reasons for not going out are because I "go to early" "stay too long" or "its too cold" lol. We are going to fayette this weekend and she loves going there because of the wildlife.

Kent has my number now. I will say this about standing in the kayak. It will take some time to learn. I almost fell 3 times lol. I dont mind falling in but Id rather not this time of year.

Props!