tbinchrist, Chickamaugua, HUGE Blue cat...Released, 03-27-12

Well, after a long long time of waiting and trying, persistence paid off. Got set up around 6pm with some nice shad, bluegill, and skipjack for bait. A 15 lb blue hits withing 45 seconds of throwing out. We end up several times in the next few hours with multiple fish on at the same time. End up getting a 31 lb, a 25, 22, and too many in the teens to mention. Also had a huge drum that had to be pushing 25 lbs. Then it got dark, and the action stopped, so we pulled anchor and set up on a new spot. Got several more high teen Blues after setup and then it started going slack at about 10pm. I mentioned to my wife to go setup on another spot, when I heard one of the rod holders break. I look over to see the pole just about leaving it, and grab hold, and all I can say is &quot;HOLY SMOKE&quot; My wife worked as quick as possible to get the other rigs up and anchors pulled, but this thing winds up going around the one anchor. I quickly figure out which way it is wrapped around and swap the pole under the rope as she hoists it up. The battle goes on for another 20 minutes, as I put all my weight into pulling this dude out of the depths. I have never seen 60 lb. line so stressed. Its about that time you start hoping you tied good knots!! Finally after 35 minutes I get this big boy to the top and I&#39;m kinda speechless. His head manages to fit into the net and after some good grunting and pulling by the two of us, he is aboard. I get setup to weigh and hoist it up to read 74 POUNDS!!! I was screaming I was so excited!!! Then it was photo time. I told my wife I didnt know how I was going to hold it, but after all this waiting for one this big, I was going to. I finally got him in my arms and threw my back out in the process. Go figure. It was absolutely gorged on food. The thing was hard to get arms around.<br />So after a bit of admiring and a kiss, an enormous splash ensued as he returned to the depths to grow bigger!