The Monster Fish

The Monster Fish!! By Bob Hollister

So, there I was, straightening up our master bedroom when I realized that I should check on my son (Hunter) and my nephew (Andrew who is visiting from Houston). For those of you that haven’t been to our house, we have a 6 acre, neighborhood pond in our back yard adjacent to Lake Norman in North Carolina. Hunter and Andrew were fishing and trying to catch the legendary “Monster Fish” that has been hooked over 15 times and never brought in. Once, while Hunter and his friend Logan were fishing, the “monster” actually took the pole right out of Logan’s hands--never to be seen again.

Again, there I was, peering out my window when I noticed the boys running around like crazy and the fishing pole, with a wake behind it, skimming across the pond. It reminded me of something out of the movie “Jaws”. One second the pole was there, the next second it was under, and then it floated up again and with the wake behind it-- off it went again. I dropped what I was doing and ran downstairs and out the back door. The boys were yelling, “You have to get in the kayak and go get it!!” Without hesitation I jumped in the kayak and started paddling towards the fishing pole. I grabbed a hold of it and started reeling it in when the fish started to pull me across the pond all the way to the other side and halfway back again when the hook straightened out and he got away! Rats! But I did get a look at it and sure enough, it was a monster!

After the excitement dissipated, we re-hooked the pole threw the bait in and laid the pole on the ground and went back to catching minnows with a net. My wife Kristi saw all the excitement and grabbed her camera (which is never far from her hand) and ran down to see what all the excitement was about. We told her the story with lots of enthusiasm. Right then she yelled out, “again…it’s…the….POLE!! It’s going again! Grab it--quick!!” I knew the second I grabbed the pole that the “Monster” was back!

We all ran to the bank as I fought with it. At one point it almost pulled me in. Then to all of our amazement we got it on shore! Since I was unprepared to unhook and measure the fish, I took off running to our garage for some gloves, a pair of pliers and a tape measure. While I was getting my supplies, Kristi was taking pictures like a professional photographer at the Super Bowl. Hunter took off running around the cul-de-sac like Paul Revere knocking on doors and yelling, “We caught the MONSTER FISH!!! We caught the MONSTER FISH!!!” Andrew helped measure the big guy and even got wacked in the arm when it flipped its tail causing him to jump back. He still has a mark!

So, 29+ inches. Our new pond record! It may not be a Yazoo, Mississippi 100 pounder, but it sure made for a great night! Be sure to look below….