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Submitted By: Ralph Miller
Date Submitted: 2009-02-03 03:08:00
The Big Fish Story: This is a tale of my son Ralphi,and the one that didn't get away.The day started at sun up.We were very anxious to find a fishing spot.This is the first time we have been to big bass pond known as CLEARLAKE,in northern California.The weather conditions weren't exactly ideal. The wind was blowing about 15mph and the lake looked a little intimadating. We threw on our life jackets and decided to take a cruise.Locals at the baitshop had told us where to go to try and catch some crappie.Atleast that was the plan.We motored up to the area but there were already a half dozen boats there.I turned the boat around and found a likely spot not too far away.We got rigged up and thier lines went in the water.Notice I said their lines. It was freezing cold and I had to tie the knots,keep the boat in position,and stick my hands in the bait bucket to retrieve the minnows.Brrrrr. WE WERE FROZEN! It didn't take long to get some action. My boy Ralphi has one on. Wooo!! Its a bass. Here we go.Fish on! I mean fish off.He lost the fish but thats o.k. catch and release right? Another minnow out of the bucket on the hook and in the water.Lets try again.BRRRR!Here we go again.Ralphi has another fish on.A big bass. What do you know it got off too.I shook my head ,bit my tongue and stuck my hand in that bait bucket again.After giving some expert advice on how to get those big ones in,Ralphi set hook on toad. this one isn't getting away. A nice 5lbs. His biggest bass ever. That was just the beginning of the fish slaughter.My partner Jeff who is very competitive was getting a little rattled. No fish for him.By the way I was baiting his hook too.BRRRR! He then held his mouth just right, said a little prayer to the FISH GODS and WHAMMO.Fish on! Another brute. The excitement started to overflow.This went on till late morning.Fish after fish after fish. So I had to get my rod in the water.Oh but wait, what happened to all the minnows? Are you kidding me? No bait. Lets go back across the lake trailer the boat and get to the tackle shop. Hurry! O.K. we spent our last dime at that store and we had another bucket full of bait. Round 2. Maybe I can do a little fishing now. So we started right where we left off. Unbelievable. Raphi and Jeff had caught dozens of fish but now it was my turn. The wind stopped blowing the sun was shining and we were warming up.That was great because now they could bait thier own hooks and not freeze thier little paws. Now Dad is in the water. Look out! The master is about to show these two how it is done. What do you know? Fish on! Dad's got one. It was the biggest fish of the day around 7lbs. Now I'm on the board and I have taken the lead. About an hour later,guess who? Dad once again. Another 7+lber. Ralphi and Jeff hung thier heads low and once again Dads got them whooped. These were the two biggest bass I had ever caught. Ralphi wanted a big dawg and wanted to out fish Dad. He was up at the front of the boat whining about how he never catches the big ones. How come you always catch the big fish Dad? Well I did have them both dominated.But not so fast. Ralphi hollers FISH ON! This is the ONE.The BIG MO,the BIG PAPA GRANDE,the one to write home about.The fish came to the top and we couldn't believe it! It was huge.GET EM SON! He cranked him in and I hoisted the BEAST into the boat. What a fish! BIG OLE GRANDDADDY BASS! We didn't have a scale but all the fish we had caught that day gave us a pretty good idea.I estimated close to 9lbs.Ralphi out fished his Dad and he couldn't shake the perma grin.I don't know who was happier him or me. I was one proud Papa. All in all we caught close to 40 fish that day.The smallest fish was 4lbs. UNBELIEVABLE! Thanks Berkeley Trilene for being there with us, because FISH OF A LIFETIME ONLY COME ONCE IN A LIFETIME! Please catch and release! Oh by the way my son is only 7 years old and he out fishes most of my buddies. With a lttle help from Dad of course. FISH OR CUT BAIT!

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Where'd you catch it: CA | USA
Category: Bass | Species: largemouth
How big was that lunker: Inches | 9 lbs. oz.
That Hawg was bite'n on: Live
What string were you runnin: Monofilament
What reel were you crankin: Baitcast
Caught it on:

Comment By:BIGGUY250
HEY NICE FISH HERES 5 FOR MAY CHECK OUT MY AND MY SON TR3VORS FISH AND CLIK ON THE BOBBERS TO VOTE PLEASE

Comment By:Oddvious1
Hog!! Good job Ralphie! 5 bobbers

Comment By:IVI_MILLER_IVI
very nice fish keep it up here 5. also thought this is funny my last name is miller 2 as you can tell by this comment haa. keep it up

Comment By:bmxrider11976
great story! tight lines guys!

Comment By:jared5
Great Catch FISH ON !

Comment By:Sternanator
nice fish take a look at mine

Comment By:FISHLIPS
WERE U STRAPED IN FOR THAT HOG? NEXT TIME NO EXPLOSIVES.

Comment By:redsandsnook16
Very nice and big fish,boy does he look happy,congrats and please check out mine and cast him a vote,and here's 5 awsome fish and great picture!

Comment By:somefishinfool
Congrats on Whopper of a Tale. See It pays off to be a master baiter.(60 hooks an hr) LOL!! Tight Lines & FISH ON!

Comment By:Apollo 12
5 4 February, nice catch and congratulations on the fish tale award, tight lines........

Comment By:Smallmouthfish
Good job Ralph Thats a Lunker

Comment By:Riverrat57
CONGRATULATIONS RALPHI!!!!!!! You deserve the recognition you got. Keep it up Buddy. Catch some more big ones. Rr

Comment By:pebbles1
Wow that is one huge bass and awesome story!!! I give it five bobbers! You should check out the bass I caught. Thanks, and good luck fishin!

Comment By:Kpangle
A true classic BerkleyBigFish entry!

Comment By:Kpangle
so cool, very very cool. Good job to all in the boat. Remember Dad a kid out fishing is a kid out of trouble.... I love this, he is almost the same age my son was when we he started to out fish me. I am so happy to say he will be joining me when we go fishing with Hank Parker... my Son is now 28 and we still have a blast fishing together. 5 bobbers for a great story, fish a smile so priceless. I have fished ClearLake - am awesome fishery. Good job, very good job!

Comment By:dearborn
5/5 thats one awsome bass, good luck in the future

Comment By:mcnew01
5 for FEB

Comment By:Smallmouthfish
5/5 for a great catch

Comment By:Apollo 12
5 4 a great catch, tight lines.....

Comment By:gokings1
great catch.

Comment By:gokings1

Comment By:menzawheel
Good Going Ralphie....

Comment By:bhampy
Ralph-nice fish my boy.This kid is a special guy.He'll beat you at Texas hold-em too.love,grampa

Comment By:Missippifisher
Hey heres 5 more, cast em back at my walleye again, thanks and good fishing!!

Comment By:blackbuzzbait
Now thats one happy fisherman,priceless. Keep on cranking-id give this a 10 but we can only give 5/5...

Comment By:Crash1
5 for taking your 7 year old fishing and catch & release

Comment By:Missippifisher
Hey i wish you good luck, i'd appretiate it if you would cast a vote on my walleye when your not busy thanks

Comment By:somefishinfool
Nice fish! 5 Bobbers! Way to go Dad! Somes like one helluva day! Good story. They are lucky to have such a father. Tight lines & FISH ON! (Do you what your are if you can bait 60 hooks an hour?) It's NOT a journeyman baiter.

Comment By:Amanda22
WOW! That is a beautiful bass! And sure is a fish of a lifetime. Way to go Ralphi! Sent ya 5

Comment By:Missippifisher
thanks for the votes ralph, you've got a fish of a lifetime there

Comment By:wishiniwasfishn
You look like your strainin to hold that one up. Here's 5 bobbers, nice picture. See my brothers biggest bass, 11.14

Comment By:Angler Ace
Thanks for the votes Ralf. When we get another chance I'll give you somemore votes.

Comment By:Missippifisher
Holy crap kid!! Nice bass!

Comment By:bennettriver
Nice bass heres 5

Comment By:Angler Ace
WOW Ralf, that IS a BIG bass. Heres 5 bobbers for you. Check out my Rainbow Trout, and cast it a vote. Thanks

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