One was an *8.4* on Friday, out of Coyote (MY BIGGEST EVER -- YEE-HAH!!! -- photos on the way). Caught her on a 6-inch 'Aaron's Magic' Roboworm, rigged on an 8-lb. test brass-n-glass T-rig setup, with a 1/8-oz. weight, tossed just outside the weedline as it tailed out along the shore -- maybe 4 ft. of water. It was probably somewhere around 9 am, I suppose. It turned out to be the only bite I would have all day (with perhaps one un-remarkable exception of a half-hearted slap on a topwater bait at first light).

After a morning attempt again @ Coyote on Sunday, I went without a nibble *again* until around 11, at which point I packed up & headed over the hill to Pinto, where I ran into Darce & Eric. Eric had been there all morning, but had only caught a couple, to maybe 3 lbs. I saw him leave about an hour or two later.

Darce pulled up as I was just about ready to launch at around 12-12:30. We fished together some, but we both struggled. He had only caught one after a few hours, and then a second -- both under 2 lbs. I had two come unbuttoned on my 8-lb.-test rig (same one I caught my 8'er on!), just off the point, but then finally flipped a healthy *4.2* lb'er out of the back cove across from what's-his-name's camping area (what is it: "Mo-mo's" or whatever???).

Anyway, I had thought I'd see the Ryle's at one lake or another (I had planned to surprise them up at San Pablo, but fortunately, I called Dave first, to find out that they had changed their plans. However, Dave had said they'd probably end up at Pinto, but I ran into the *OTHER* 2 BnT'ers there, instead!).

Steve W. really helped me out @ Coyote on Friday. Right when I hooked up with my BIG HAWG, I saw Steve out of the corner of my eye, rowing around the point. I yelled for him, but he couldn't hear me. By the time I hauled the fish in, I was blown down to the NEXT point, and Steve had all the while been rowing further, down toward the dam!

Heart was racing, wind was blowing. It was all I could do to kick my way in reverse against the wind, trying to get within shouting distance of Steve. I knew I'd need him to help me, if I wanted to get a photo of this dawg. The fish was also showing signs of going belly up, so I had to use both hands to hold her up vertically in my mesh bag; therefore, rowing was out of the question.

Once I got Steve in my line of sight again, I had to keep screaming & waving to get his attention. I know he had seen or heard *something* from me, but I knew if I didn't keep it up, he would probably not respond (hey, Steve: next time, don't leave your walkie-talkie in the GLOVEBOX!!!). :)

Anyways, he eventually realized I was intent on getting his attention, & he subsequently rowed back downwind to help me out.

Thank goodness! I was intent on getting a photo of this, my largest bass to-date, but I knew that the fish was already struggling to survive, and I was going to have a hard time getting a good picture without some assistance. Master photographer Steve got 3 good shots for me to show off on my new digital camera (one of my better new *wedding presents*!).

Fortunately, I was able to send the big mama back to the depths in reasonably good shape. She pulled away slowly, but seemingly OK. I'm hoping I'll be seeing her again, all fattened up for the spawn next SPRING! :)

In any case, YES, you're right, it was a tough bite. However, *I'll* be remembering this particular weekend for some time to come!

(Next story: how I ended up on somebody ELSE's kickboat on Sunday -- subtitled: where to find a kickboat *rental* in San Jose, CA! More to be revealed... I've just gotta give my WRISTS a break after that long diatribe!)

- jeff

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Every day Congress convenes, we lose a little more of our LIBERTY!!!

(-- Mark Levin, radio-show host/KSFO 3-6pm)