Originally Posted By: george1
Originally Posted By: teehjaeh57
Few rules for me when fishing for trophy HSB:

Use heavy tackle - MH-H action rod, Braid, Stout barbless hooks to help prevent fish exhaustion.

I only fish for them when water temps are below 80ish to reduce risk of mortality. I have not lost a HSB to date I'm aware of, but again, I follow this rules strictly. No HSB fishing in July/August.

TJ, a fish with this much fight and beauty deserves to be caught on the most sporting technique available, and that is on a fly rod.
My weapon of choice is a TFO 8-10 MiniMag loaded with a 11 wt 330 gr bass taper fly line - simple 16 lb leader.
If it took you 5 minutes to land this fish you were just having too much fun.. grin
Land them quickly - resusitate and release.

I agree - no fishing July/August or when water temp hits 80 degrees.
I have caught hundreds of pond HSB on the fly - none on conventional tackle - lost only one IIRC but I have an O2 live well.
My favorite sport fish - on the fly.
Have fun - nice fish!
George


Edit;
WOW - my fish calculator says a 27 inch HSB should weigh over 10 lbs - now I understand the fish in the fight - haven't caught one that big!
G/


As early in the season as it is here, I'm now almost afraid to go out fishing in my main pond. I put 12-14 inch HSB both of my fishing ponds at the end of November, last season.

I've got unwanted crappie in my main pond. This is about the only time of year I can catch them. Unfortunately, this year it doesn't seem to matter what hook or lure I'm using. Within a few minutes of fishing, I've got one of the HSB. I don't want them to become hook shy. They also really stress my ultralight rigs that I use for crappie and BG. I seem to be getting about two HSB for every crappie.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the smaller 1/3 acre put-and-take pond. So far, that pond is still pretty sluggish due to lack of direct sunlight and resulting cold water. But, last year I couldn't get the trout out because the vicious HBG beat them to everything I threw in the water. In another few days I guess I'll be able to see if the HBG or the HSB are the top predators for human induced baits.

I blame all these HSB problems on our friend George! If it wasn't for him, I'd probably never have stocked these wonderful monsters. grin

Thanks George,

Ken

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