Skip to main content

I Just Won The Small Lake Lottery

I Just Won The Small Lake Lottery
The Small Lake Lottery

Daniel Byrne

Aurora Illinois

Last night I drove to an small pond in Naperville Illinois. The plan was to catch some crappies before the sunset. There is no way I could of dreamed of what happened next. Armed with only an ultra light rod loaded with 2 lb Cajun Red line and a Swedish Pimple I made ONE cast. I make the one cast let it drop for two seconds, I go to lift and my arm stops dead and is pulled down instead. What the heck? My drag starts to peel but the fish is too big. This lake is NOT Known for any big fish, I only go there for fun with small crappies. I have fished there on and off since I moved here eight years ago. The only way this fish is going to stay on is if I RUN!!! I start running with it, then walking, and then jogging again. Maybe a catfish? I switch to back reel as my drag is not giving up line smooth enough. A giant bass? I never got anything over 2 pounds here. A carp maybe? I felt it strong head shake. 3/4 down the lake I am sweating trying to keep this thing on. The I see a flash of STRIPES!! Jesus what the hell is that? Now my asthma kicks in, my chest is tight, and although I catch some big fish this is NOT what I signed up for. My old friend panic sets in as I walk with this beast down the lake. Finally ten minutes later, I climb down the hill and lip my 3 foot 10-12 pound hybrid striper!! Obviously someone let this thing go and by the looks of it, the fish has had years to load up on small crappies and shad with no competition. I have just landed the fish and story of a life time. Let me answer the obvious questions.

Species: Hybrid Striped Bass

Date Caught: 10/23/2012

Kept / Released: Released

Region of Catch: Region 1

Length: 32-36 inches

Recommended


Weight: 12

Lure / Bait used: Lure | chrome/glow swedish pimple




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Bluegill Basics

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: European Speed Fishing for Panfish

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Location Secrets for Fall Crappies

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Take a Kid Fishing

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Classic Crappie Presentations

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Fall Panfish Patterns

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Learn

In-Fisherman Classic: Summertime Bluegills

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Learn

Angler and Rescuers Reunite After One-In-A-Million Offshore Epic

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

World-Class Channel Cats below the Selkirk Dam in Manitoba with Blackwater Cats

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Learn

Controlled Drifting for GIANT Blue Cats with Phil King

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Learn

3 SIMPLE and EASY Catfish Rigging Tips with Captain Ross Robertson

Check out this classic catfish video from the early days of In-Fisherman! Watch Al Lindner, Ottis
Destinations

CATFISH FEVER!

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use