First Bull Trout was 10+ LBS

jacenbeers · #1 05-24-2010, 06:14 PM

This morning I went out fishing to target some Bull trout as I have never caught one before. I heard they are great fighters and so I wanted a piece of the action.

I caught two. The first felt like I had caught a snag and as I was cursing that I was likely going to lose a lure on a snag, it started pulling like a bastard and took half my line with it. I landed it on shore and it was too big for my net. It was really heavy the guy I was with estimated it at over 10 lbs. Here are some pictures. I know that it should not be on the rocks but I needed to get it to shore on the bank to get the hook out and it flopped around and I could not get it in my net. The first two pictures are the fish and I held it with my hand in the third photo to show perspective.

jacenbeers · #2 05-24-2010, 06:15 PM

I caught another smaller one that actually fit in my net and it was 3-4 lbs.

walleyechaser · #3 05-24-2010, 06:16 PM

Very nice fish I'm guessing over 12lbs, but could be wrong

WayneChristie · #4 05-24-2010, 06:21 PM

Nows thats how you end off a long weekend!!!! great fish!

DarkAisling · #5 05-24-2010, 06:39 PM

Bummer that the first landing went poorly

It might be wise to invest in a steelhead net for next time. If you can't find one you like, I could loan you mine for a day trip if I don't need it that day. I think you're in Calgary, right?

That said . . . great fish! You're a fish catching machine.

jacenbeers · #6 05-24-2010, 06:41 PM

Thanks so much. I might take you up on that. I have only caught two fish this year that do not fit in my net but both were surprises. Now that I know that bulls are huge, next weekend when I go I will be better prepared.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAisling

Bummer that the first landing went poorly

It might be wise to invest in a steelhead net for next time. If you can't find one you like, I could loan you mine for a day trip if I don't need it that day. I think you're in Calgary, right?

That said . . . great fish! You're a fish catching machine.

mudbug · #7 05-24-2010, 06:43 PM

Congrats on your catch

Thanks for posting the pictures of them

#8 05-24-2010, 06:43 PM

Thats a dang nice fish, thats for sure.
You must be some sort of 4 leaf clover.

I dont want to say this as its your first Bull but please, next time that happens...dont take pictures of the fish in the rocks. Take two steps out and unhook the fish in the water. The slime is a trouts immune system and when it gets wiped off, its extremely easy for it to get sick.

Great fish though, I bet that put up a hell of a fight.

walking buffalo · #9 05-24-2010, 06:48 PM

Great catch. I know that "snagged" feeling, awsome when the snag starts to swim upstream!

That big guy is over 10.

What I liked best about your post.... I don't know where you were.

#10 05-24-2010, 06:51 PM

Damns rights, thats a fantastic report.

I need a 4 leaf clover to come with me...I havent caught a troot like that in a long time.

selanne88 · #11 05-24-2010, 08:15 PM

Did you end up going to the Red Deer River and it looks like u were using a rapella. Great job

ximmix2007 · #12 05-24-2010, 08:20 PM

I am one jealous "Bull" fighter, that is an awesome fish, my personal best is 5 lbs and one day hope to crack the 10 lb mark. I'd be curious to know what river, not exact spot and I would take it to my grave. Again very nice fish. It reminds me of this one time I helped a kid about 12 catch his first Bull and probably his first fish, don't want to hijack post so I'll stop there. PM if you want to hear the rest of the story.

gramps73 · #13 05-24-2010, 08:57 PM

Great looking fish, congrats

jacenbeers · #14 05-24-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selanne88

Did you end up going to the Red Deer River and it looks like u were using a rapella. Great job

I have not been to the Red Deer River. I might go next week. You are correct, it was caught on a Rapala. I read on a website to use a lure that looks like the minnows in the water because that is what they primarily feed on and so I did and it worked great.

jeprli · #15 05-24-2010, 11:09 PM

Dang that is a nice one!!!

ishootbambi · #16 05-24-2010, 11:29 PM

great fish....congrats. i gotta give a x2 on the laying it on the rocks though. that can be bad news for a fish and as discussed at length recently in another thread, it is a contributor to mortality in released fish.

Deep · #17 05-25-2010, 08:05 AM

There is a "0" catch limit on bulls, right? I'd say this fella looks like he did not swim away.....

zabbo · #18 05-25-2010, 08:33 AM

Beauty!!
I'd love to hook into one like that myself.

Congrats!

jacenbeers · #19 05-25-2010, 09:23 AM

He swam away just fine. The water was clear and I saw him recovering on the bottom and then he swam into the depths and then I saw him chase another small rainbow away from him after so he did fine. He only flopped onto the rocks for a few seconds and I had him back in the water. I could not get him into my net because he was too big and the bank I was on was too steep for me to get the hook out so I had to get him to a better location. Unfortunately he flopped off the net where I had him laying to get the hook off and he landed in some gravel. I cleaned him off in the water and he took off.

clakjp · #20 05-25-2010, 10:29 AM

Nice Bully... I dont think you guys are at 10+.To me it looks like 8-9lbs fish.I will post a pic of a fish that is 13.5 lbs(on a scale) and it is way bigger than that one.Like I said great fish Hope you beat it wish even a bigger one next time you go out.

Sir. Kenneth · #21 05-25-2010, 01:04 PM

Beautiful fish man! Nice work!

fishpro · #22 05-25-2010, 01:13 PM

As much as I don't like to see a bull trout laying on rocks, just send me a PM telling me exactly where you caught it and all will be forgiven!

outbackpat · #23 05-25-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishpro

As much as I don't like to see a bull trout laying on rocks, just send me a PM telling me exactly where you caught it and all will be forgiven!

A big x2 on that!

whitetail Junkie · #24 05-25-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deep

There is a "0" catch limit on bulls, right? I'd say this fella looks like he did not swim away.....

Bull Trout are as tough as Nails,they put pike to shame for there strength and ability to survive.You could throw that fish back into the river as hard as you could and he would start swiming instantley without missing a beat.Unlike other species of Trout,bull Trout are Rugged Fish.

Beuaty Fish by the way Jacenbeer's!!!!

CF8 · #25 05-25-2010, 04:26 PM

bigfis · #26 05-25-2010, 04:34 PM

if you were fishing in kananakis I think you have the same spot as me or at lest the same river

Logan · #27 05-25-2010, 05:34 PM

Nice work!! I love catching Big Bad Bullies they are a blast. They are a very resilient fish, I catch them in about 50-70ft in Lower K all the time in the winter and from shore all summer. I'm confident your rock landing didn't hurt that fish anymore than the hook in the lip did I wouldn't read to far into it.

trouty · #28 05-25-2010, 06:44 PM

would suggest taking one of the trebles off your rapala, a lot easier to get them unhooked and no issues hooking up when they bite. alot less damage if they inhale too. Great fish...

selanne88 · #29 05-25-2010, 06:53 PM

I have caught lots of Bull Trout through the years and I find that sometimes when u get a big one that they fight very hard for a long time and it takes quite a while for them to swim away. Then sometimes u get one and it just takes right off. Guess it all depends on how much the fight takes out of them.

#30 05-27-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

What I liked best about your post.... I don't know where you were.

I know where he was as I had the misfortune of finding the bigger of the bull trout dead later that evening. I cant be 100% sure, but anybody who knows of spots around Calgary with big bull trout can basically pin it down to one spot that is open right now.

Now I have to ask, was it worth it to kill a big bull trout to brag to people you dont know on here? Clearly you wont be framing that picture as it looks like crap.

Anyways, take care...of the next fish you release.