Been trying for a few days to catch a HSB to throw on the smoker but haven't had any luck until yesterday.

I don't know if they've wised up to my hand throw pellet wrapped in stocking scrap trick, or if I'm so rusty I've
just been failing to execute (the more likely explanation).

After missing three hook-up attempts yesterday I changed tactics. Grabbed a 3"-ish BG from the cage, shoved
a hook up his nose, clipped tail and dorsal fins, then tossed him out for a swim. Missed the first two times they
got after him, but the third time was the charm. I let him (actually her) run off with it and just reeled down tight
rather than going for a big hook set.

19.75" 4.5lb. Just a touch under 110% on the relative weight chart. Fish was loaded with roe and had a semi-fresh
crayfish in its stomach. We all know these HSB are pelagic by nature, but don't think for a minute that they won't
eat anything they can catch. This was the 4th HSB that I've harvested from my pond. The first three also had
crayfish in their guts.

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