First, I dedicate this fish to my Dad. "Thanks for netting her and all the other things you did throughout the day to help me out. Not a bad 'First outing' in my boat,eh?" I asked God to give Dad and I a special day together. The weather was UNBELIEVEABLE and I caught the biggest fish of my life while we were together. Thank you Lord.

Second, A big "Thank You" to Todd Minor and Steve Worrall for your help and encouragement during this last year and a half. I've never met either of you but you've kept me on track and taught me a lot through your e-mails and on this board.

Here are the facts...

Air temp...70 / water surface...48 / water clarity..."gin clear" can't do it justice / calm and clear skies / 3pm / trolling at 1.9mph (gps) off a planner 15' to the side / Bait...Super Shad Rap (real perch) running 20 feet behind the board 10-15 feet down (I'm still learning) / boat was in 85' of water near the eastern shoreline / fish were all below 8' and particularly in the 15-30+ slot

This is my first "Trolling" fish! Certainly will give me some needed confidence trolling in the future. Thanks for indulging me.....!

Oh crap! I almost forgot!  She was 42 inches and 18.5lbs !

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(Steve's 42.jpg)

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(Dad and Steve1.jpg)

Steve's 42.jpg (149KB - 278 downloads)

Dad and Steve1.jpg (169KB - 222 downloads)

The water was dead clam and you're right about the depth. As slow as I was moving and as bouyant as SS Raps are it surely wasn't very deep. In fact, while I was making a turn about 30 minutes later (to stall and speed up baits) the stalled bait had a huge swirl on it while floating on the surface. We thought we may get another one but no luck. My Dad was sure impressed though! He thought the whole exprerience was real cool. And see, I have been paying attention to you opinions about trolling Tippy. It's just my boat partners aren't as eager to learn about trolling as I am. Believe me, I'd have much prefered to catch this one on the cast. But, I doubt I'd have seen her in the net because you wouldn't have seen me casting in 85 feet of ultra clear water.

For Christmas...maybe a "Troller's Bible".

SD< WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice fish, and a very nice picture. A piggy, too!