Buffalo, Bigmouth

<p>20 years in the making!!! This has been my nemesis fish and own unicorn fish/white whale ever since seeing a good number of them caught at a nearby creek and not being able to duplicate the catch years ago.</p> <p>Drifted jig and red worm in current did the trick. This place has a legion of black tailed shapes cruising through heavy current and waves. This is the place you want to get a bite. Felt a nice bump on my line as it was close to shore. Set the hook and saw that black shape. Small fish but that's alright, after a short fight I pulled it up over some submerged rocks and kept right on pulling, realizing I was getting ahead of myself. Phil made the descent, grabbed it&nbsp; and we celebrated.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Hooked fairly, inside the mouth. I feel blessed by God to have caught this fish. This pursuit led me to roughfish.com in the first place and to try to figure out other difficult species. Many others have been able to catch bigmouth buffalo over the years, and a good number this year as well. But this fish has kept me going and now I have finally reached my goal. It feels so good.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks to my brother Phil for all the trips we've done to track down these buffalo and many other cool species. Thanks to Casey Shanaberger for lots of precise info on location and presentation for bigmouth buffalo. Thanks to roughfish.com and everyone I've discussed strategy and spots with over the years... That's roughly half this community no joke! And props to the bigmouth buffalo- the most under appreciated, frustrating, coolest looking, and most intelligent fish out there (in my estimation).</p>
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Comments

andy's picture

I love it when a White Whale is captured.  Way to go.

Dr Flathead's picture

Congrats on the catch!

Graceclaw's picture

So glad you finally managed one!!! I imagine there was a significant amount of hooting and hollering when it was safely out of the water and controlled

Moose439's picture

Awesome man.

Gary's picture

Dude. WAY TO GO! I love how happy you look holding your white whale. Aren't they just one of the coolest things swimming? All that study and effort and patience and practice is so worth it when it finally comes together and you succeed where so many others would break poles and quit in frustration. Couldn't be happier for you!

Do not meddle in the affairs of BAGMAN, for thou art crunchy and good with Old Bay seasoning...

 

vanner's picture

The Full Respect to the Carp Chaser. You guys introduced me to the world of roughfishing, and I couldn't be more thankful. Ten years ago, I remember you and Phil being so exiting about catching a goldfish and I just didn't understand the enthusiasm for it. Fast forward to last night, when my son and I each got a goldfish, and we celebrated more than any other fishing experience we've had together so far. 

Great catch with your bigmouth and I hope you catch many more of them. Keep it up!

RESPECT!!

Phil's picture

Very Awesome!  So glad I was there when the quest was fulfilled.  What a great run this year!