Hi Capt. Mel,

Fellow forum member Scotty and I headed over to Mosquito Lagoon for the 4th of July weekend to do some kayak fishing. It had been awhile since I was out fishing, but I was able to manage this beautiful redfish on my first fishing trip in almost a year. I hooked up with this girl on Sunday the 6th while site fishing a school of reds. I was using my favorite all time lure a 7MR CHPR from MirrOlure, tied onto 20lb PowerPro with a length or 25lb fluorocarbon leader. The battle lasted about half an hour and took me a half a mile from where I hooked up with her. I never could have sealed the deal without help from Scotty, who hooked a rope to my kayak and towed me about 200ft to a spoil island where I was able to out of the kayak, land her and get a quick photograph. In hindsight, I wish that I had taken the time to get more accurate girth and length measurements, but I was so excited and worried about getting that girl back into the water and revived after such a battle that I didn't even think about it. “Unofficially” she measured out at ~45"+ and ~40lbs! I am still in shock after landing that beautiful fish. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being blessed enough to catch a red like that and on artificial and on my favorite all time lure to boot. Wow, I am still thinking about that fight from cast to landing and shaking my head in disbelief. There is nothing like a fish like that to get me back out and fishing again. I hope that you all enjoy getting a look at her. Thank you for your time Capt. Mel.

Seth O'Gradney