Northwest Fishing Reports

LINK:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Grail

The Grail plays a different role everywhere it appears, but in most versions of the legend the hero must prove himself worthy to be in its presence.

Belief in the Grail and interest in its potential whereabouts has never ceased. Ownership has been attributed to various groups (including the Knights Templar, probably because they were at the peak of their influence around the time that Grail stories started circulating...

With bass fishing the holy grail is a trophy, by bass master's standards that is a 6+ lbs smallmouth or a 10+ lbs largemouth. To some, it may be perceived as fairy tale or mystical legend, but in actuality, the holy grail does exist in Washington State waters.

Just like the Knights Templar, there are people within the Pacific Northwest who hold this type of information. There are many reasons why things such as the holy grail havent been spoken about online.

In my infancy, I too, use to ask the famous questions who, what, where, when, how and why. I quickly got schooled about angler etiquette. Simply put, if its left unsaid, there is a reason for it. Though I may not understand it, and others as well may not, I not longer question the fact. In time, that information may or may not be disclosed. I have learned to respect that part of the game.


These are a few things Ive been schooled on along the way... let me try to break it down. Please keep in mind, Im not an expert, but under the tutelage, these are things that have come to my knowledge.


The Who - Heavy Hitters:

There are a select few who I deem heavy hitters in the PNW. These are the anglers constantly banging out huge numbers, and yes they are legitimate trophies, even based on bass master's standards. There have also been a few unofficial state records as well. These heavy hitters believe, as do I, the fish belong in the water, left unharvested - record or no record - the holy grail must live on [Please read 'The Why' as well].


The What - Networking:

Though internet is a great tool, you can only learn so much. In all honesty there is more information gained offline, than you see online. Most of the learning process is actual fishing, and some lessons can only be taught in person. Like the saying goes; more heads are than one, so go out and join your nearest club.


The Where - Washington Lake:

Washington Lake holds the most trophies, both smallmouth and largemouth. That is probably the only spoken about Lake online... but there are probably 10 lakes off the top of my head that hold them as well.


The When - Any Time Any Place:

Bass eat all the time, especially the trophies. Do not let the weather dictate when you fish.


The How - Persistence With Etiquette:

Probably one of the most important steps that will open new doors.

I have fished for the majority of my life, but mainly from shore or a rental, and rarely from the boat. It was my cousin who got me serious about fishing again. Up until a few years ago bass fishing was a hobby I almost gave up on. Upon moving to the arrival to the West coast [Im an East coast transplant], I found it very difficult to find bass angling information. Silly me, I took upon this task as a challenge to myself. Persistence is what lead to more open doors. To me, lack of persistence is a form of quitting, better known as an excuse. To me, there is no need for excuses, as it can be done, it already has been done many times.

Etiquette, both online and on the water is a must. On the water, respect fellow anglers, give them ample room to fish, I would say 50 – 100 yards atleast. Online etiquette, if someone is left unsaid, it is for a reason [I quickly learned this, as I too have made the mistake of asking]. Dont be the person coined ‘that angler’, as that will quickly close many doors for you.


The Why - Open To Interpretation:

Correct me if Im wrong, but knowledge is power. Not one angler holds the key to holy grail [in most cases that is, I know a few that actually know its where abouts], but a group of them together do. There are many aspects that may lead you there [see 'The What]. I have learned through conversations with other anglers, the holy grail is and will always be very sacred. That being said, you will never find it online period. The internet, as well as a few bad seeds, have been proven to be a deadly tool. Be that as it may, the big sticks [Knights Templar] heavily guard the holy grail for many reasons. As stated before, record or no record, the dna must live on in Washington State waters.


All of the above are pretty much the unspoken rules of bass angling. Take it as you see it. Followed correctly it WILL open brighter doors.

Interesting little piece of writing there T DOT: Good stuff man

I didn't think about it but you would have to kill a record fish or where locally do you get it officially recorded. I have only killed two fish In so long one was a salmon (yum) and the other was a rbt for a neighbor. I wouldn't kill it to record it either. Love the posting!!Bass fisherman are the best conservationists out of the outdoor sports they care about there sport fish.

Interesting post:
The Who: I agree there are some guys that devote a lot of there fishing time to catching trophy fish and some seem pretty adept at it. Tag Watson comes to my mind first. If you want to catch trophy fish and don't mind getting less bites then using larger baits like swimbaits might be helpful. I know that Tag caught a LM a few years ago that was VERY close to a state record but he released it.

The What: No doubt that if you want to get more details about the where and how you need to have an offline friendship with the guy(s) putting in the work to figure that out. I never joined a club but have developed friendships through tournament fishing. Tournament fishermen are so secretive though that it may take years to get anything out of them. You probably won't find guys posting too many secrets online. I heard from 2 different people where Chris B was catching those pigs a couple of weeks ago but I won't be going there or telling anyone else about it. I wouldn't want the extra pressure on my favorite spot.

The How: When I first started bass fishing I would go up to guys at the launch and ask them how many they caught where they caught them and what were they using. LOL. Sometimes they told me something and sometimes they gave me a queer look. If you want to be diplomatic about it I suggest just asking in an un-pushy way. Something like: "hey I'm just trying to figure this thing out, any advice you could give me?" I've had guys give up some wicked good info and I didn't even know them. The best thing though is practice...practice...practice.

The Where: As a tournament fisherman I almost always find myself on Washington or lately Sammamish. I agree that Lk Washington has some giant smallmouth. I weighed a 6LB smallie in an ABA tourney in '02. The biggest one I know of weighed in a tournament was over 7 lbs ! There are some big LM in Lk WA too but I think that if you want the best shot at a really big one I think that some of these smaller put and take lakes would be a better bet.

As far as sharing the info I have spent years figuring out: For most people a little info, for some people some info, and for a very few people a lot of info. And for anyone who sends me a PM (who I recognize) I will give up where and how I caught the 6 pounder. :-)

Let's have some fun and let's get it done
Eric

Good info!
:king:

King Arthur: Go and tell your master that we have been charged by God with a sacred quest. If he will give us food and shelter for the night, he can join us in our quest for the Holy Grail.
French Soldier: Well, I'll ask him, but I don't think he will be very keen. Uh, he's already got one, you see.
King Arthur: What?
Sir Galahad: He said they've already got one!
King Arthur: Are you sure he's got one?
French Soldier: Oh yes, it's very nice!

An interesting idea/concept.

Not sure that Lake Washington is capable of producing the "grail". Certainly the smallmouth portion is more than doable but the largemouth might be a reach. Is it a true "holy grail" if the fish come from different waters?

I do know that at least 2 western Washington lakes that have produce fish of both species in the past that would qualify and there are several more that have the potential. Similar situation in Eastern Washington with a couple of lakes that have produce such fish in the past and others that might have the potential.

Know of one lucky angler who was successful in catching the "grail" from a single wetern WAshingotn lake and suspect there are others.

Tight lines
Curt

Well written and said, T!!

I am going to digest all you've said.

In regaurds to trophy fish or state records. I prefer CPR. Catch,Photo,Release.
Not preaching- just what I would do.

So a question that was asked and not answered.... If a guy did catch a potential state record and did not want to kill it, is there a way to get it recorded and then released?

bigbasstaz wrote:I didn't think about it but you would have to kill a record fish or where locally do you get it officially recorded.

Gone Fishin wrote:So a question that was asked and not answered.... If a guy did catch a potential state record and did not want to kill it, is there a way to get it recorded and then released?

Simply put, no. It must be harvest, weighed and tested by fish and game to be considered official. There are a bunch of tests that are run, some include taking scale samples to see if it is a bass, age, stomach content, basically the works. It is quite the procedure. There may be a way around it, but it usually leads to a dead end.

There was a fish caught last year that was thought to be the next state record. It was harvested and it was short of the state record.

So it has to be dead weight also that sucks weigh a fish in the field it ways 8 oz. over get it in and it is short that would suck. When I was 16 I had smallie in Oregon that I thought would make it but I didn't know where to go. 21 1/4 in

Smalma wrote:An interesting idea/concept.

Not sure that Lake Washington is capable of producing the "grail". Certainly the smallmouth portion is more than doable but the largemouth might be a reach. Is it a true "holy grail" if the fish come from different waters?

I do know that at least 2 western Washington lakes that have produce fish of both species in the past that would qualify and there are several more that have the potential. Similar situation in Eastern Washington with a couple of lakes that have produce such fish in the past and others that might have the potential.

Know of one lucky angler who was successful in catching the "grail" from a single wetern WAshingotn lake and suspect there are others.

Tight lines
Curt

Ive seen a few 9s come out of Washington Lake, so they are knocking on the door already.

I dont understand your question really, but I can probably name atleast 5 lakes that hold trophies of both smallmouth and largemouth. That number doubles if you count lakes that only hold one and not the other.

Actually now that you have mentioned it, my numbers do not include Eastern Washington lakes. The 10 lakes I have speak of are proven trophy lakes, again with Washington Lake being one of them.

Gone Fishin wrote:So a question that was asked and not answered.... If a guy did catch a potential state record and did not want to kill it, is there a way to get it recorded and then released?

No.

In this state, keeping live fish in a livewell after you leave the lake is illegal. No official weigh groups exist that can/will come to the lake to you.

Even the F & W do not have official scales with them.

T Dot -
My question was really pretty simple. Were you think of an angler achieving the "holy grail" in Washington by catching a the pair from the same water or from differrent waters in the State.

While catching both a 6+# smallmouth and 10+ laremouth anywhere in the State would be quite a feat for any angler doing so from a single water would be even more difficult. My lake list was restricted to those waters that I though an angler would have a shot at both from the same water. I agree that the list of waters that could potnetial one or the other is much longer; likely several dozen waters.

As I said earlier a fun topic and interesting fishing feat to shoot for; likely a once in a lifetime deal. I know of one case where both fish came from the same lake and were caught on the same lure (a 1/4 oz Jig-n-pig).

Tight lines
Curt

I know a lake that in the last two years with limited pressure turned out a small mouth almost 6 and a couple bucket mouths over in the 10 range. Small lake. Not a lot of fish but it can produce.

If your talking State Record I think T-Dot has the answer,..if your talking Mounting you can take a picture and that'll be suffice for the Taxidermist,..then C&R will be in effect. Love the posts,..man you guys are great,..alot of knowledge and experience on here. TY

platinumroof wrote: Interesting post:
The Who: I agree there are some guys that devote a lot of there fishing time to catching trophy fish and some seem pretty adept at it. Tag Watson comes to my mind first. If you want to catch trophy fish and don't mind getting less bites then using larger baits like swimbaits might be helpful. I know that Tag caught a LM a few years ago that was VERY close to a state record but he released it.

he is a great angler, and its awesome to have someone like him in our neck of the woods. i believe that was one of a few fish that are considered unofficial state records. like you said, swimbaits might be key for some, but then again not many will venture to that part of bass fishing.

platinumroof wrote: The What: No doubt that if you want to get more details about the where and how you need to have an offline friendship with the guy(s) putting in the work to figure that out. I never joined a club but have developed friendships through tournament fishing. Tournament fishermen are so secretive though that it may take years to get anything out of them. You probably won't find guys posting too many secrets online. I heard from 2 different people where Chris B was catching those pigs a couple of weeks ago but I won't be going there or telling anyone else about it. I wouldn't want the extra pressure on my favorite spot.

friends and tournament friends are also a great resource. if you are starting out, a club might be your first option, and you can build from there. when money is on the line, and questions are asked, you will never get a straight answer. just like most relationships, you must build a state of trust / worthiness, then maybe the truth will be disclosed.

platinumroof wrote: The How: When I first started bass fishing I would go up to guys at the launch and ask them how many they caught where they caught them and what were they using. LOL. Sometimes they told me something and sometimes they gave me a queer look. If you want to be diplomatic about it I suggest just asking in an un-pushy way. Something like: "hey I'm just trying to figure this thing out, any advice you could give me?" I've had guys give up some wicked good info and I didn't even know them. The best thing though is practice...practice...practice.

we often get alot of slack when we see fellow anglers pass by. we often hear them saying 'why is he using that lure, during this time, in that location'. mean while, they pay close attention, and when the time comes, they come around again, and ask more questions. we try to be as polite as we can, but sometimes they fail to see how loud they are with their comments. sometimes their comments are uncalled for. on that note, we practice every saturday.

platinumroof wrote: The Where: As a tournament fisherman I almost always find myself on Washington or lately Sammamish. I agree that Lk Washington has some giant smallmouth. I weighed a 6LB smallie in an ABA tourney in '02. The biggest one I know of weighed in a tournament was over 7 lbs ! There are some big LM in Lk WA too but I think that if you want the best shot at a really big one I think that some of these smaller put and take lakes would be a better bet.

there are huge largemouth in lake washington as well, but in most cases people are targeting smallmouth. that is probably the main reason why you hear more about lake washington smallmouth. ive seen a few 9s pull out of there in recent years.

platinumroof wrote: As far as sharing the info I have spent years figuring out: For most people a little info, for some people some info, and for a very few people a lot of info. And for anyone who sends me a PM (who I recognize) I will give up where and how I caught the 6 pounder. :-)

i am pretty much the same way, it is hard to judge people these days, but i would rather be more cautious than anything. we have ran into a few bad seeds that have spoiled it for the bunch, so unfortunately we refrain from sharing information until we understand who the people are. if and when that time comes, its pretty much a free for all.

[quote="Smalma"]
T Dot -
My question was really pretty simple. Were you think of an angler achieving the "holy grail" in Washington by catching a the pair from the same water or from differrent waters in the State.

While catching both a 6+# smallmouth and 10+ laremouth anywhere in the State would be quite a feat for any angler doing so from a single water would be even more difficult. My lake list was restricted to those waters that I though an angler would have a shot at both from the same water. I agree that the list of waters that could potnetial one or the other is much longer]

the 'holy grail' has different definitions, as not every angler is alike. it will vary from angler experience, knowledge and location. to some it maybe a local spot where there are 5lbs fish, with others it maybe different.

for example, as i was growing up, my friends and i would have secret spots of 2 - 3 lbs fish. those were very sacred to us, as we had built a friendly competition going. as your experience grows, so should your knowledge. with that, your quality catch should increase as well.

as i stand, my definition of the 'holy grail' are the lakes that truly hold state records. i take pride in challenging myself to achieving new goals each year, so holds true with my friends.

our goals from previous years have been obtained, thus we have moved onto bigger and brighter things. the goals we set for ourselves are realistic goals, we have daily goals, monthly goals, and yearly goals. to every destination there are little steps you can take to get there. the reason for multiple goals is keep forward progress and our confidence up.

...that being said, have any of you set your goals for this year? we have set ours, and we are already knocking at the door.

the holy grail [state records] as you see it, is located in many lakes. to raise your chances, fish those last with a proven record. though there are a select few that hold only one species as well. i see these lakes as the most sacred, and personally i will never post about them online.

to add to your feat, would be catching what we coined the 'royal flush', a set of 5 fish in this order - 6lbs sm, 7lbs lm, 8lbs lm, 9lbs lm, and 10lbs lm. as you can see, that is probably the ultimate hand, 2 trophies in bag.