ROOSTER by NIGHT and THUMPER by DAY 2025
Big-O reply :
Had a nice day and a half on the water....My wife Connie went with me 
After arriving the lake Wednesday evening, we watched a much needed Thunderstorm pummel the country side with wind and a much needed rain. When it slowed to a drizzle, with a smile on my face I threw on my raingear and Connie laughed and said "You're on your own Buddy" She said she would be my Valet Launching Service....just call when you're done ;D
I eased across the lake to a line of summerged grass and hardwoods in 20 ft water and set the boat inline to fish straight down the edge where I thought the fish would be located. Each cast would be fished back to the boat along a constant 18 to 22 ft line of grass edge and small timber that falls immediately into the river channel. My bait choices for this type of structure is T rigged soft plastics or jigs and on that night I chose to start with a June Bug colored Smokin Rooster rigged on a 5/0 Moaner hook, 3/8 Tungsten w/stopper above and a steel spacer below the weight for noise. This bait profile is great for night fishing as well because of the added action of the side wings for additional vibration and bulk. As often happens, Big fish eat first and she did On about the third cast, I felt the Rooster touch one of the small trees on the ledge and as I ticked it over a limb and let it fall, "The Big Girl SMOKED IT" A quick hook set later and I was in a storm of a fight trying to get her head pointed up instead of down into the timber. I felt her slide by a few limbs and then she was on her way up toward the boat. I quickly got on the trolling motor and backed out into the channel clear of any obstructions, then she heaved with several big underwater surges that told me she was a HEFTY MAMA A short time later, I was admiring her in my grip but knew she came from deep water so I ckd her for a full air bladder.
Just as I thought, she needed relief so I placed her in a full pumping livewell with a partition to hold her upright for an extended time (30 minutes or so) I like this method more than fizzing when possible. I then eased back over to the ramp and called Connie at the motel room and she came back down to be my "On The Spot Photographer" After 40 yrs of this, she knows the routine : By then the rain had stopped and she wanted to ride with me back across the lake to release the big girl back at her home. We then cruised around a little while and gazed at the stars before heading back to turn in
The next morning, the wind was back in full force making it tuff but we caught a few more fish by 11 am, then went to lunch. My good buddy Wendell showed up shortly after and we grabbed our rain gear and hauled back out to put on the search for new water. We headed toward the river and noticed the water was much clearer than in past weeks. We broke out the Thumpers and fished more grass edges. We were drifting toward a hardwood and we both smiled and turned to flip it at the same time...Wendell went straight to the middle and I paused to see the results. Just as he pulled up out of the center of it, I flipped a Thumper right back in and let it fall straight down. After touch down I lifted it up and started fishing it upward with light twitches, then it touched a limb coming up and I released it over the limb to fall again...BAM...there she was 
I leaned back into her and THE WAR STARTED, she blew up and out of the tree only to blow right back down into the top of it. I held as much pressure as possible to keep her high in the tree and she immediately wrapped just below the surface. Wendell jumped down at the side of the boat like a cat and reached as deep as he could to find her....with a smirk he said "I feel her tail", then with a Big O smile he said "I got her by the JAWS" We Tag Teamed her....Thanks WENDY, I love you...We took a few photos and put her back in her tree then drank a beer, or two, or maybe three
Fat-G reply :
OH MY GOD.
How much did they weigh?
You da man!
SGT Rico reply :
OMG!!!!! What a pig!!
Mrs. Matstone reply :
Way to go O! Beautiful fish! ;D
Red reply :
Your my hero! Amazing!
Scorcher214 reply :
GOOD GOD!
hookingem reply :
do you get weights on your fish ever? the fish you posts are pigs!
QuoteHad a nice day and a half on the water....My wife Connie went with meAfter arriving the lake Wednesday evening, we watched a much needed Thunderstorm pummel the country side with wind and a much needed rain. When it slowed to a drizzle, with a smile on my face I threw on my raingear and Connie laughed and said "You're on your own Buddy" She said she would be my Valet Launching Service....just call when you're done ;D
I eased across the lake to a line of summerged grass and hardwoods in 20 ft water and set the boat inline to fish straight down the edge where I thought the fish would be located. Each cast would be fished back to the boat along a constant 18 to 22 ft line of grass edge and small timber that falls immediately into the river channel. My bait choices for this type of structure is T rigged soft plastics or jigs and on that night I chose to start with a June Bug colored Smokin Rooster rigged on a 5/0 Moaner hook, 3/8 Tungsten w/stopper above and a steel spacer below the weight for noise. This bait profile is great for night fishing as well because of the added action of the side wings for additional vibration and bulk. As often happens, Big fish eat first and she did On about the third cast, I felt the Rooster touch one of the small trees on the ledge and as I ticked it over a limb and let it fall, "The Big Girl SMOKED IT" A quick hook set later and I was in a storm of a fight trying to get her head pointed up instead of down into the timber. I felt her slide by a few limbs and then she was on her way up toward the boat. I quickly got on the trolling motor and backed out into the channel clear of any obstructions, then she heaved with several big underwater surges that told me she was a HEFTY MAMA A short time later, I was admiring her in my grip but knew she came from deep water so I ckd her for a full air bladder.
Just as I thought, she needed relief so I placed her in a full pumping livewell with a partition to hold her upright for an extended time (30 minutes or so) I like this method more than fizzing when possible. I then eased back over to the ramp and called Connie at the motel room and she came back down to be my "On The Spot Photographer" After 40 yrs of this, she knows the routine :
The next morning, the wind was back in full force making it tuff but we caught a few more fish by 11 am, then went to lunch. My good buddy Wendell showed up shortly after and we grabbed our rain gear and hauled back out to put on the search for new water. We headed toward the river and noticed the water was much clearer than in past weeks. We broke out the Thumpers and fished more grass edges. We were drifting toward a hardwood and we both smiled and turned to flip it at the same time...Wendell went straight to the middle and I paused to see the results. Just as he pulled up out of the center of it, I flipped a Thumper right back in and let it fall straight down. After touch down I lifted it up and started fishing it upward with light twitches, then it touched a limb coming up and I released it over the limb to fall again...BAM...there she was
Big Tom reply :
Shew. Big-O, you know how its done!!! Good grief.
Take me fishing?
islandbass reply :
This line is not original but, "those bass you caught make the one I landed look like a swimbait!"
Congratulations! 8-)
Catt reply :
One of these days ole man you gonna have to teach me how to catch Hawgs 
Shane J reply :
Hawg Whisperer!
bassman31783 reply :
Seriously, your making us all sick. Great job.
DRhodes reply :
as always beautiful fish
brushhoggin reply :
:'( GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY :'(
Big-O reply :
Hey G, don't weigh'em if I'm sure it isn't a PB or a lake record but I love'em just the same, it's the pull that counts
Big Tom, I fish during the week 8-)
Red, the fish is my heroin ;D
islandbass, hope your swimbait ties into a giant for you too
Catt, name the day and we'll share a beverage
and to the rest of my friends...thanks for the kind words, it's been a fine year thus far and we are blessed
Big O
www.ragetail.com
smashingsmallies reply :
Good Golly Miss Molly!!! Holy Shamolly!!! I have got to make a point of checking the "fishing trip" section regularly!!! I'm 43 and I've caught ONE bass in my lifetime that I could fit my fist into the mouth and the two of you have a bass a piece that you could get TWO FISTS in the mouth. Behemouths!!! Great job catching and great job releasing--wish I could've felt the adreneline rush you both felt-I think I might've passed out if I ever got one like that. Great work guys, great work. Fish on, John. 
GLADES reply :
Awesome. Some of us dream of catching bass that size, and you catch them regularly.
Congrats!
Captain Shane Procell reply :
:o :o
Incredible fish Big-O!
A-Jay reply :
Big-O,
Congrats on your another fantastic catch !
I always enjoy your narrative as well. I felt like I was there with you - minus the sweating and the shortness of breath.
You are indeed a fortunate man. Not so much for the bass but more for being blessed with
an "on the spot photographer " - and for 40 years no less !
I have but 2 brief questions ~
1. What is your line of choice in that environment ?
and
2. Where on earth is that Magic Tree ?
A-Jay
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Good god. Every single time you post about one of your trips I get jealous. Now after seeing that, I'm even more jealous. Ridiculous fish right there. I don't throw the rooster often right now, but previously when I have it has produced some really nice fish. I've been on a thumper kick lately. Cutting them down to about seven inches or so has been just fantastic for numbers.
Big-O reply :
QuoteBig-O,Congrats on your another fantastic catch !
I always enjoy your narrative as well. I felt like I was there with you - minus the sweating and the shortness of breath.
You are indeed a fortunate man. Not so much for the bass but more for being blessed with
an "on the spot photographer " - and for 40 years no less !
I have but 2 brief questions ~
1. What is your line of choice in that environment ?
and
2. Where on earth is that Magic Tree ?
A-Jay
Thanks Y'all and A-Jay, my line is 25 lb Lake Fork Parallelium, fishing some relatively clear water conditions and braid seems too visible as well as makes a sawing sound when coming thru heavy grass and brush or trees. In these heavily fished waters, I take all precautions to be avoid a possible deturrent to getting the bite. It's very manageable, has low stretch and strong. Paul told me about it sometime back and I've been using it ever since.
OH and all of my Magic Trees....Each of them disappear when I'm gone and magically re-appear upon my return I just wave my magic rod across the water and presto...there they are
And yes my friend, I am fortunate....She's still all smiles with every fish I tangle with, even after all these years
Big O
www.ragetail.com
A-Jay reply :
Lake Fork Parallelium FluoroHybrid - thank you
A-Jay
evrgladesbasser reply :
Am I wrong in thinking those are close to world record size????
Very nice catch once again Big-O!
BASSINATORBIGJOE reply :
SUCH CONSISTENCY ISN'T BY CHANCE. YOU DA MAN BIG O!! MIKE 8-)
Fat-G reply :
QuoteQuoteBig-O,Congrats on your another fantastic catch !
I always enjoy your narrative as well. I felt like I was there with you - minus the sweating and the shortness of breath.
You are indeed a fortunate man. Not so much for the bass but more for being blessed with
an "on the spot photographer " - and for 40 years no less !
I have but 2 brief questions ~
1. What is your line of choice in that environment ?
and
2. Where on earth is that Magic Tree ?
A-Jay
Thanks Y'all and A-Jay, my line is 25 lb Lake Fork Parallelium, fishing some relatively clear water conditions and braid seems too visible as well as makes a sawing sound when coming thru heavy grass and brush or trees. In these heavily fished waters, I take all precautions to be avoid a possible deturrent to getting the bite. It's very manageable, has low stretch and strong. Paul told me about it sometime back and I've been using it ever since.
OH and all of my Magic Trees....Each of them disappear when I'm gone and magically re-appear upon my return I just wave my magic rod across the water and presto...there they are
And yes my friend, I am fortunate....She's still all smiles with every fish I tangle with, even after all these years
Big O
www.ragetail.com
What kind of rod are you using?
roadwarrior reply :
Geez...
They don't grow that big around here. Truly, outstanding.
Paul Roberts reply :
Blessed you are. Thanks for sharing. Love your narratives as well.
Right along I'd been thinking you were fishing some private waters. But, it sounds like you have Lake Fork all to yourself LOL. In other words, sounds like you understand a few things.
Parrallelium eh? Not sure I can actually say all that. ;D
Big Bass Chaser reply :
Big-O,
I know that Mexican gangs are holding up bass fishermen on Lake Fork for their gear/boats. While I'm sure it has the beneficial effect of lowering the fishing pressure lately, how do you avoid getting shot at?
A-Jay reply :
QuoteBig-O,I know that Mexican gangs are holding up bass fishermen on Lake Fork for their gear/boats. While I'm sure it has the beneficial effect of lowering the fishing pressure lately, how do you avoid getting shot at?
Word is that Big-O has one of these mounted on the bow . . . .
A-Jay
Big-O reply :
QuoteBig-O,I know that Mexican gangs are holding up bass fishermen on Lake Fork for their gear/boats. While I'm sure it has the beneficial effect of lowering the fishing pressure lately, how do you avoid getting shot at?
Just to clarify the line is called Lake Fork Parallelium Pro and Fork is in East Texas so there are no bandito problems there to contend with ....I rarely fish it during the day to avoid the traffic.
Falcon Lake is on the border where the drug problems and gangs have recently been reported but things are settling down now. I fish it often as well but nights at this point are out of the question so I am concentrating on other lakes like Choke Canyon just South of San Antonio. I do wish I had one of those 50 cal's for whackin' a few of the Water Turkey's though
Hit a big fish last night but she pulled me in a deep tree before I could get her into the river channel. That's OK though...she gave me her phone number ;D
Big O
www.ragetail.com
Fat-G reply :
QuoteQuoteBig-O,I know that Mexican gangs are holding up bass fishermen on Lake Fork for their gear/boats. While I'm sure it has the beneficial effect of lowering the fishing pressure lately, how do you avoid getting shot at?
Just to clarify the line is called Lake Fork Parallelium Pro
Falcon Lake is on the border where the drug problems and gangs have recently been reported but things are settling down now. I fish it often as well but nights at this point are out of the question so I am concentrating on other lakes like Choke Canyon just South of San Antonio. I do wish I had one of those 50 cal's for whackin' a few of the Water Turkey's though
Hit a big fish last night but she pulled me in a deep tree before I could get her into the river channel. That's OK though...she gave me her phone number ;D
Big O
www.ragetail.com
PLEASE post a picture of your PB. ;D
hookingem reply :
X2
Sam Bass reply :
Now those are some freaking Hogs right there!Nice ones sir!
Both those are no smaller than 13lbs Imo
zbigbadaaron reply :
...
Big-O reply :
Actually there's only one thing that seems bigger about those two photos, it's the "BIG O SMILE ON MY FACE"
Wonder if someone makes a camera that can make my 250 lb belly look smaller ;D There's a 10" Thumper in the second ones mouth...hard to make a fish pushing 30 inches look little
Haven't fished since the week before ICAST, but gonna take my GrandBoy to jerk on some Moose Lips (Carp) and Hybrids tonight....Now these fish are sure gonna stretch his line
Big O
www.ragetail.com
swimbait reply :
Congratulations, those are awesome fish!
bassfisherjk reply :
WOW!!!
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