Here is the full report with pics.
Enjoy!
Greetings to everyone from the Middle/Upper Brazos River, Tx.
Brazos River kayak fishing has been nothing short of amazing the last few weeks. Don't get me wrong. We have had to work our tail off for every fish, but the results have been worth it. Especially in the Striper/Hybrid category.
However, last weeks trip with fellow TFF Members Todd (SeaPro-Todd) and Jordan (KeepReeling) is one outing that will not be soon forgotten. In fact, by the end of our day, it would be one for the Record Books.
Funny thing is, Todd and I had been trying to get a trip going for a month or two before finally settling on a date for a guide trip. I always enjoy spending a day on the Brazos with Members from the Forum, so I was more than pleased to hear that Jordan would be coming along, as well. PMs were exchanged in the days ahead of the trip. It was east to see we were all excited about our upcoming kayak fishing adventure.
Todd and Jordan are relatively new to the sport of Kayak Fishing in a river environment, but both were eager to learn while enjoying some mind bending scenery on one of North Texas most pristine Rivers. The emphasis on this trip would be CPRing Personal Best stripers for each of my clients. No small task, as both were accomplished Anglers with respectable catches and a commendable amount of time put in on several North Texas lakes and Gulf Coast fisheries.
The day of our trip arrives and finds the three of us meeting up at a remote riverside launch where we get to shake each others hand for the first time.
We begin transferring our gear from the trucks and into the kayaks before I take a moment to share some kayak rigging techniques with my clients. I also went over basic kayak paddling, safety techniques, first aid kit location, etc.. These two were quick learners and before you know it, both were circling the launch in their kayaks, ready to take on whatever challenges the Brazos might bring their way.
As we make our way into the first run, I instruct my clients what to look for and proper lure presentation. Jordan gets a hookup on the first cast. However, it would be short lived, as the fish spat the fakeage on the first headshake. Stuff like that happens. It was encouraging, none the less.
However, with no further development in the present bite on this locale of the river, I suggest we change tactics and relocate to a different run. Along the way, I stop to gather several dozen freshly netted baits to help pack some "punch" into our river striper assault.
As we cautiously approach the next run, I instruct my clients on our angle of approach. Once settled in, I get a fresh spread set out as we begin to implement my big fish strategy, that has paid off big as of late.
Finally, one of our big liveys gets hammered solidly as a decents size striper then makes off with it, leaving Jordan scrambling to the rod and a chance to trade blows with our first fish of the day. Jordan does a fine job of coming tight to his fish and now has the satisfaction of feeling a hard charging Brazos striped bass on the other end.
Here is Jordan with a fine CPR'd striper.
We continue to get a few more runs, bumps and swipes but with no hookups. This is followed by a lull in action of any kind. However, we are a determined group and I am very committed to my gameplan for a big fish. Suddenly, we can detect nervous tention from one of the big baits as the rods tip section begins to bend and quiver. I now notice the rod take a big dip followed by about 5 feet of slack that has indicated a likely hit. My hunch is confirmed by a steady, fast paced run under light tention from the modified bait clicker on my Abu 6500. My striper reels are heavily modified by me to my specifications. Todd was about to witness first hand why I do such modifications
when chasing down big Brazos Linesiders as he grabs the rod and winds down tight to a super solid fish that goes on a non stop, powerful, drag searing run across and down the river from us before surfacing near a submerged rockpile some 60 yards away as it violently shook it's head on the surface of the water in one of several futile attempts to spit the bait. At this point there is absolutely no doubt we have a really big fish, as I continue to give Todd specific instruction on how and when to apply adequate pressure without causing the fish to panic and head for submerged rocks or other river obstruction. Todd does a fantastic job and finally gets an opportunity to gain a considerable amount of line only to have it immediately ripped back off again by the unseen river leviathan on the other end.
At this point, I feel we may have survived the best this fish has to offer as we shift into a conservative fighting style designed to let the fish take the fight out of itself. Todd hits the fish with steady rod pressure and less drag in a effort to help preserve the current unknown condition of the leaderless terminal rig for the duration of our slugfest.
Finally, the fish makes a pass close enough so we can get a quick look at her. I see certain color and convey the positive ID to my clients for certain as a giant striper. Todd now begins to play out the final moments of this classic give and take battle as I prepare for the fish to make a final pass. I soon have Todd's prize in hand as we begin to celebrate a truly momentous catch by passing out high fives all around as I now hand the fish over to Todd for the CPR session. I have a feeling we may have exceeded the current Texas Catch & Release State Record for striped bass as we begin to properly document the catch for certification with the State.
Congratulations on a truly amazing striper, Todd!
Once certified, this fish will replace the Texas Catch & Release State Record Striped Bass of 40.5" caught from the Brazos in 2007.
I really appreciate Todd's unwavering commitment to the CPR process. Futhermore, kudos are in order for the State of Texas for implementing the C&R Records program in 2006 that allows the Angler a State Record for a live release fish. Bravo!!!
Now, Todd takes a moment to work with his fish in the shallows as we take the next steps to prepare the fish for a healthy release. We proceed by gently working her back and forth in the water and making certain the big girl can upright herself to swim off.
As we watch Todd's trophy swim away, I can't help but wonder about the deep feeling of satisfaction that he must be feeling. The countless hours spent on numerous waters in search of a bonified Trophy Striper had finally paid off. I was feeling pretty good myself, having just guided my client to a potential State Record and Personal Best striped bass.
However, it was early on in our trip and we still needed to get Jordan on a big fish. At this point, I recommend that a relocation is in order as we begin our paddle to the next run.
(Continued)
![[Linked Image]](http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/russellhusted/jumpingtrout.gif)
thats an amazing catch!! 
