Fished the NGSC 2010 top six tx today with observer Dan Duncan. We picked up an 8# fish and about an hour later landed this 36+# Striper. The fish hit a free lined herring and was enough to win the tx by a large margin. I really needed this fish as the winter fishing has been terrible and i lost my job last week. I had a great interview for a new job yesterday that i expect to be hired for and caught this one today. Sometimes it really is darkest just before the dawn!

I really want to acknowledge Dan for volunteering to be my observer and offering up his boat for my use. He was not able to assist in the fishing and i know that it is really a hard thing for anyone to do, especially a "fish head" like Dan. I think it must be like going to a "shoe show" blindfolded

Here is a pic of Dan with the fish before i released her to fight another day.




I can't fault anyone for keeping a nice fish, but i would ask everyone to please consider releasing larger fish so that we all can get an opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime. Given typical growth rates, if this fish can stay alive and out of a live-well, this size fish can be the next Lanier record in about 3 years.

p.s. this fish weighed 34.5# on the bogas, we both thought it was heavier than that. Dan got home and weighed a 35# Olympic weight on them and they registered as 33#, so i am calling this one 36#+ to be on the conservative side.

Way to go Brett, and Dan you are to be honored for offering up your boat and day to help your friend. I am very happy for you both. Awesome. Praise the Lord Brett. I hope things have turned the corner for you

Good news Brett. Top notch job on the fish as well. Just think the long winter was the trade off to the Trophy. Definitely worth the wait.

Brett, you are the man. A big shout out to Dan also. That was a darn friendly thing to do Dan. You guys had an awesome day! I thought you had me going this morning and it turned out to be true! Awesome catch and the timing couldn't have been better. Congratulations on that beast of a fish Brett

Very, very, very good job by all of you...Captain and Fishmiester! As much as I like catching fish I like watching fish be caught;-)

Very nice fish

I have to agree with you Bill, it is great watching others catch these fish. This fish was a blast to watch, Brett did not go into the blow by blow of this fish. When it hit it hit hard and was screeming off into the sunset, all of a sudden Brett yelled Oh crap he is off, I looked and seen a submarine just under the water screeming back at us diagonaly. I then yelled reel reel she is coming at you. I have found this tends to be a trait of very large fish.

Well once again it heads North for Alaska, Brett is yelling 180, 200, 240, 280, 320, and finally slows at the 350' mark. I tell you it stayed out ther for about 10 minutes and then Brett started slowly gaining ground on this TOAD. Well needless to say when this fish came in on port side, we both said Oh #### and the funny thing is, we both saw how long this thing was. We totally were blown away again, when it was in the bottom of the boat. This is when the enormous girth jumped out at us "WHAT A PIG" this fish is.

Well any of you that know Brett, know how fired up he can get, well he let out a yell that if there were any bears still in hybernation, they are up know...lol he was still full of jitters an hour later.

I give him great KUDO'S on the fine angling skills as well as the great concern too get this fine specimen of a Kong striper back to her world. I will verify that she swam off vigerously to fight one of us another day. "NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY" "GOOD DAY"

Awesome day. I was going to post some pics of the fish we caught today but I think yours would eat mine. Maybe the Super Moon paid off?

Awsome Brett, wish I had been with y'all.

Great Fish Brett! Good things happen to good people.

Congratulations guys! Well deserved catch. Brett, I was at Oakwood Bait & Tackle when you caught the fish and we heard your "yell"; it was very impressive - good lung capacity and those vocal chords were stretched like banjo strings. My GPS locator, attached to the hull of Dan's boat, should help me this coming week! LOL!

Maybe there's something to the Super Moon. I got one this week over thirty in the boat and had another one that was over thirty that snapped my leader while she was on top of the water right next to the boat.

Again, congratulations on a very fine catch.

tom

Awesome Brett. Dan you are the man. I think we had her sister on yesterday and the hook pulled out. Oh well, we will get her another day. See you on the lake.

GOOD GAWD guys! Could not have happen to a better couple a guys. That's just a class act to you both. Congrats!

Here I sit with a cup of joe checkin the reports before heading out in a couple of hours and read this. What a way to get the ticker going.

Congratulations Brett on the monster fish and hopefully the new job. Kudos to Dan-D as well for his support. That's gotta be tough shoe show and all, lol.

Those kind of fish are tough to put in the boat using blue backs (because of downsizing your leader and hook). I have fell victim many times to the infamous break off. All the stars were in line for ya and I am glad they were. Nothing beats a big ole monster striper on the home lake. Congratulations for sure!

Congrats. That is a great story and a great fish. You guys deserve it as much time you spend on the water!!!!!

Brett we can be blessed in many different ways, yours was a "GREAT" interview ,great day on the water ,beautiful weather,and a fish anyone would love to catch nice job!!!Dan i believe i could watch that pig being caught just about anytime .Great day for both of you congrats!!!

very nice fish brett id sure like to kno were that one came from

Lake Lanier. I know it was north of the dam and south of Lula. Nice job. Yall had that coming after a three month skunk.

Thanks for all the support guys, it truly means a lot to me. I have made a lot of great friends through fishing and you guys are the best. I know most of the folks that have replied to this post and i hope to meet the couple that i do not. So if you see me around, please do not hesitate to introduce yourself and let me thank you in person.

May each of you catch one that makes that fish like a minnow really soon!

Way to go to two great guys. What an accomplishment. It does not surprise to me or anyone that knows either of you and the enthusiasm you both share for the sport.We all have a chance at one of these big beautiful fish, THANKS big time for releasing, that's true conservation and practicing what you preach. A just reward to both of you for all the time, money and hard work you put into being what I like to call..... BAD ASS STRIPER DUDES!!!! Congratulations and thanks as always for sharing the story and pictures.
Oh yeh Brett, I have a nice cottage very private, end of the road and cove location with a deep water dock,just listed for sale. Send ma a PM if interested, Good luck to you and Elvis and Dan The Man. Ya'll Rock!!!

Congrats Guys!! That is a VERY nice fish.

Way to go, guys!!! That's a HOSS! I can hardly imagine what one that size feels like.

My son and I caught 22 while crappie fishing Saturday, but, I'm ready to switch back to striper now.

Brett,
Good going and that is one excellent looking fish.

Brett, Great job on the big striper...Congrats on the job interview and good luck with that....Nice job again to you and Dan....

great job guys your skunk days seem to be going away since i removed all the hidden bananas i put on your boat

I was offered and accepted the new job this afternoon. 45 minutes later i was applying for the lease on a 150 year old farmhouse that bigfish put me on. The house has exterior well water for the bait tank and is located about 200 yards from the ramp in Young Deer.

Thanks to everyone for their support and especially to Bigfish for the house recommendation!

Brett, That is just awesome news my friend!!! I can't believe within a week, you have found another job, caught a monster striper, won the top six in NGSC and found a house. That is unbelievable, better thank the Lord for this all and the timing.

Does this mean I have to watch you catch the next monster as well?

Done multiple times my friend.

Brett,

Congrats on the new job and being able to get in the house! I may swing by to borrow some of that well water some time!

Brent

Way to go Brett. Good luck with the new/old sounds cool place and the job. Oh yeh and Elvis too.

Glad to hear of all the good news Brett!

Sounds to me like a house warming at your place is in order.

Great news on the job & the house. Now can I store my boat there and put in at the ramp :-) I'm willing to pay 10 dollars a month. Great news, good things happen to good people and all that happens happens for a reason. God Bless us all........

Amen!

Good to hear all of that! what a story! I am hoping to catch one like that someday! Let me know when you move I have a trailer, truck and 3 teenagers! We will help move you!

I may take you up on that. I had several offers to help that all dissolved when the rubber hit the road. I'll call you tomorrow.

I changed my move date to April 14th. I think i have a truck lined-up, but extra hands are always welcome!!!!

I work until the early afternoon, and maybe I can help for a little bit after work. I hope you get people that are dedicated to the moving experience. Nice fish again. I love that picture.