Fishing in the Rough

Just think about it...most anglers in America just about hate certain species considered 'bottom feeders'. Big catfish, carp, buffalo, suckers and other less worthy game. Yeah, they have their fans, but many look down their noses at the likes of these, and the likes of people that we think might be on the bottom as well. I am sure glad God doesn't harbor those thoughts on us who have fallen and can't seem to get up off the bottom, feeding on bad stuff. Kinda' like fishing for the 'rough' fish...some laugh and some make fun. But all fish are worthy, and all people are worthy of the love of God and His grace, even though we don't deserve it or can earn it.
Fishing in the Rough...and a few from recent trips...in the world of bottom feeders...

Caught in the net of life, and yet a beauty in it's own way...

I admire a modest sized carp from our October 10, 2011 outing where we have been after these fish throughout the summer. Very nice color and scale pattern.

Matt admires a decent chunker of about 14 pounds. I like the dynamics of this fish...short, but solid and heavy. And the gold coloration...wow! Artificial corn and maise does the trick at this local lake.

Mondays' big fish was Bob's 20 pounder. We went 5 for 11 runs as a group using European style carping tactics. In my first year on these fish I have learned to be patient and calm when a big boy hits. We lost three fish to breakoffs...I think an old cable or something is submerged in the area, causing the lost fish. A couple from earlier trips that made it to the bank...

My best looking carp of the year was this robust pre-spawn female in the high teens...a great fish!

Matt with one well over twenty on tutti-frutti corn and a long, tough battle. The only fish we got that day.

Me with a mile-long mule that might have pushed thirty if it was during the pre-spawn and she retained eggs. Hung me up twice in the weeds, but managed to put her on the bank. Remember what I said about beauty?

Other bottom feeders exist, and some like them and some don't. My brother in law Paul and I got to do the rough gig last weekend at a small lake near home that reportedly had big channel cats. We chummed with chicken livers and then just tossed out a few baits and hung on. Using the bite alarm system, we managed 5 hookups and landed three cats...all over 30 inches...and can't wait to go back for more. Here's a 31 incher, male channel cat with the cobalt blue head...

And this female went 33 inches...my new personal record for the species. We put them all back, all alive, all worthy, all fun. Yeah, some sportsman may laugh, but the big rough and tough fish are , to me, far more exciting than skipping a 2 pound bass accross the surface and then unceremoniously pitched back in the drink because it is too small, or maybe, not worthy enough.

I like the rough fishing thing...along with all the rest. Big fish attract me, and I think most anglers would rather catch a big fish than a small one. Til next time, I'm gunnin' for gold...