Canandaigua 7/5 16+lb laker

[CVO]

Launched at the North end with the whole family and made the run down to Danny ' s place. Ran 3 divers and 2 riggers. We never moved a rod from 7-10am. The girls were definitely getting bored. We made the last circle through and started trolling north to pull rods. As soon as the boat straightened out I popped the deep rigger that was at 125' and fish on. Small 20" laker. Unfortunately my daughter had lost interest in the 3 hour lull and didn't want anything to do with fishing..just wanted to play with the hose and stick her feet in the livewell. That rigger and the white/green dot SD and green Atomik Fly was sent back down. We figured we had a half hour before the pleasure boaters woke up from a long night. 2 more small lakers were picked up on that set up. At 1030 the mag diver on a 1 setting out 150' pulling a black with green dot SD got crushed. Drag wasn't screaming but it was a constant peel that went to 230'. My girlfriend didn't have a clue what to do. I figured it was a nice 10 - 11lbs laker just sitting back there with his mouth open. 25 minutes later after numerous breaks and a request for gloves because of sore hands...I scooped the net under a monster trout. Dad and I caught and successfully released one just over 17lbs last season and this fish looked bigger to me! We took 2 quick pictures and I leaned over the side of the boat to get the water through his gills. After 5 minutes, there wasn't even a kick of the tail. Not sure how to cook and eat an old boot but we're going to give it a shot smoking it. We were all upset that reviving didn't work. After all the rods were pulled we put a scale on the fish. 16lbs 9oz. Now I think she understands why on my days off I get up at 4am to go fishing. I think she's finally hooked. Oh and this fish was stocked...right anal fin and adipose were both clipped.

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Edited July 6, 2014 by basspro

[Frogger]

Way to go! What a tank. What was the length of that beast.

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[dawsonscreek]

Nice ill be moving to canandaigua for school this fall, any way to fish for the lakers there from a kayak?

[Sk8man]

Great post and very nice laker   At least we know there still some big hogs out there...

Edited July 6, 2014 by Sk8man

[Nautitroller]

Wow what a beauty way to stick with it!

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[chuck527]

Chris thats one awesome fish!!!

[Bigfoot]

With those fin clips I believe your laker was 13 years old.

[Joshwa1314]

That's a hell of a Laker!!! The only one I know of that's ever been caught bigger than that was about 4-5yrs ago. 22-23lb laker. That's a Huge Greaser for that lake!!! Way to keep fishing when most people would've called it a day. That's a trophy fish on any of the Finger Lakes. Way to go brother!!!

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[CVO]

Thanks everyone, we were all upset that the fish wasn't able to be released. Paul, I knew we had a good one on when I sent you the picture mid-fight!

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Edited July 6, 2014 by basspro

[CVO]

Frogger..we never did get a length measurement of the fish.

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[Great Lakes Lure Maker]

Nice Job! Very nice fish, and awesome you get out to fish with your family and girlfriend! Someone in that pic looks pretty darn happy! That's what it's all about. 

[Frogger]

No big deal Chris, looks freakin long.......  Again congrats!