June Winner
Submitted By: 1morecast

Here is my first fish using my new Abu Garcia ProMax Reel!! Stillhooked and I headed north Friday the 13th to visit my parents for the weekend and to take Dad out fishing for Father's Day. When we were about an hour from our destination the rain started to let up and Stillhooked asked me if I wanted to try some night fishing - - of course I said "YES"! I got the State Lakes map book out and navigated the back roads through the rain and deer until we arrived at Chippewa Lake! As we unloaded the boat the rain quit and was replaced by a beautiful rainbow over the lake. I got out my new 7ft med/heavy rod which was paired with my Abu Garcia reel. I rigged it with a steel leader(hoping to hook up with a walleye or pike) and attached a dark brown crawdad 10ft diving lure. We were trolling at approx. 3mph in 14 - 17 foot of water. The water temp was 71 degrees. I was slowly reeling the 10# Trilene Pro Grade line back in when I hooked up with something - we had only been out for about half an hour. It was 9:30pm here in Michigan. Stillhooked stopped trolling. My rod had a nice curve going to indicate the size of this fish! My partner thought it might be a dogfish(bowfin)from what he could see when it was fighting. I told him it was a walleye!! The closer I got it to the boat the harder the fight. Stillhooked grabbed the net and Oh my gosh- Oh my gosh!! This fish was big with large glowing eyes!! I was so excited to catch my first walleye! Stillhooked put the net down into the water and I reeled him right into it. He handed me the net and I put my hand into one of his gills and lifted him out! 28" and approx. 7 lbs. What a thrill. My very first walleye and first catch with my new reel! Thank You so much Berkley and Abu Garcia for your generosity and quality products - I couldn't have done it without my new set-up! I couldn't have done it without my wonderful Captain either!! WOO-HOO!!

Category: Walleye

Caught it on:  
Honorable Mentions

May Winner
Submitted By: kitty1963

It was a cool morning, but warming up quickly under the bright sun. The first Saturday in May...opening day for walleye. However, my story starts a few years back. Being newly single, I would walk the sidewalk along the Oswego river(in upstate NY)on a daily basis. One evening when I was walking, I saw a cute guy fishing. I smiled, said Hello and continued on my walk. I returned a short time later and he was still there! As I was getting closer, I heard a little girl yell daddy from the parking lot above. Disappointed, I walked on by. A couple weeks later on my way home, a car pulled up next to me and stopped. It was him! We talked and I asked about the little girl. He didn't know who she was. We exchanged phone numbers and started to date. I soon realized fishing was his thing. I had never been fishing, but I was happy to tag-a-long and sit while he fished. Several years passed with him fishing while I sat and watched. Then one day he asked me if I wanted to give fishing a try. I said yes, so he bought me a license, rod and reel and on that cool morning, opening day walleye season, I went fishing for the first time. After a few hours of casting and hooking the bottom of the river, I thought that I had hooked it again, but to my surprise, I had a fish! This seven and a half pound walleye. I was so excited till I was told I had to kiss it! (My first fish) Yuck!! But I did. Since that beautiful day I have fished for walleye, bass and even given steelhead a try. So to make a long story short...because of the love of fishing, I hooked me "Berkley Big Fish" and caught an amazing man. I am one lucky woman to have discovered the joy of fishing and the love of a life long partner...steelheadrich.

Category: Walleye

Caught it on:  
Honorable Mentions

April Winner
Submitted By: Kpangle

This was a good day on the water. My wife and I were in Acapulco on a vacation in February with our kids. On this day my wife and daughter decided to stay behind and enjoy the spa, my son and I booked a day on the big blue with hopes of one of us catching a sailfish or marlin. For years my son and I had fished bass tournaments in Oregon, so we have spent countless hours together on the water. It has always been a dream of mine to experience catching a sailfish with him. With snow on the ground in Oregon, a warm day on the water was going to feel great. Prior to this day, the fishing reports were not good, being the optimist; we decided that time on the water was the adventure and a catch would be the bonus. We met at the dock with the crew, immediately I sensed these two knew how to find fish. After a brief discussion, they were excited to hear that we were some what experience fishermen. Because of the slow reports, I was able to talk them into going out a few more miles until we found fish. We left the dock and headed West out to sea. The seas were calm. As we went further out, the waters translucent blue was intensified. I have been on a few deep sea trips, but the water on this trip was magnificent. I was excited to see that the Capt. had spooled the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Big Game 9000i reels with fresh Berkley Big Game 40 lb test ultra clear. I knew that the odds were stacked in our favor. Once we got out past the other boats, we had a big sail hit a squid skirt. The sailfish came completely out of the water and shook the teaser. The rush of watching 100 pounds of fish clearing the water 60 feet away is something you will not soon forget. About 30 minutes later a rod goes completely down. Before we can get it clear of the holder, the line goes slack. We are now 0 for 2. Another 2 hours go by and I see some fish working the surface. I show the Captain what I see and he moved the boat into position. It was instant fish on. This time I was able to get a good hook set. It was a brief 15 minute battle. The Berkley Big Game held up great as I knew it would and the Big Game 9000i reel was smooth and comfortable. As the fish was put on the rear deck, my son is shouting from the upper deck, I turned and he took this photo. He was smiling from ear to ear, I guess I was too. As hard as the crew tried for another sailfish or marlin, we were not able to get a fish for my son. Now we have more reason to go back and give it another try. I cant wait to send you all a photo of my son and his first sailfish. Yes Sir, this was another good day on the water and good way to beat the winter blues...

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: InShore Saltwater

Caught it on:  
Honorable Mentions

March Winner
Submitted By: steelheadrich

This fish was caught using Berkley green gulp. It was caught in January of this year (2008) in the Oswego river. A storm front had just passed through and the air temperature was 15 degrees with a windchill of about zero. The water temperature was 33 degrees. It was cold! I do most of my fishing from October to May. My favorite species is the steelhead. I have been an avid fisherman for more than 30 years. I live close to two excellent rivers for steelhead. I'm five mins. from the Oswego river and twenty mins. from the Salmon river, both in upstate NY.

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Trout

Caught it on:  
Honorable Mentions

February Winner
Submitted By: Aquaman

I was fishing in Mexico in early December. I was using light Berkley monofilament and a topwater bait. The weather was heavily overcast, with occasional light mist. My partner clued me into a perfect combination of deep water and shallow structure. He was absolutely sure that this spot would hold the big one we were looking for. The fish exploded on the Zara Spook with a vengeance! I kept heavy pressure on the 4 pound test Trilene for fear the fish would take me into the dozens of nearby brushpiles. The fish made two tremendous jumps, but the line held up great! The fish was quickly released after a quick photo. Thanks, Berkley!

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Bass

Caught it on:  
Honorable Mentions

January Winner
Submitted By: syndiotactic

The night before, we had hit seven smallies within minutes just after sundown on the edge of the reeds in eight foot water. Some two, three and one four-pounder. Nice way to end the day. Noon the following day, a bluebird day in late June, we couldn't hit anything bigger than rock bass. It was post-spawn but many fish were still hanging in the shallows. Many we could see but not entice to follow on either Texas-rigged crawlers or crankbaits. It seemed like everything had changed. In frustration, we moved out to about six foot water and began casting into a different patch of reeds with single-bladed spinners. On the third cast the rod bent and nearly jumped out of my hands. Brought her up to the boat only to watch her dive and strip line a half dozen times before we were able to net what was to be a personal best smallie for me and biggest bass of the week for the group.

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.
Category: Bass

Caught it on:  
Honorable Mentions