Hit the river after work for some Pike fishing, only worked half a day today. River was coffee colored after yesterdays t-storms. Started throwing a 5 1/2 inch X-rap. As soon as it hits the water the Pike are on it. First fish is around 24, healthy fish, thicker than this time last year. 2nd fish is a solid 30 inches or so, another healthy fish. 3rd fish is rippin drag, taking me for a little ride. After a short battle, I land the 34 inch fat Pike. Had the rod in my left hand and the fish in my right hand getting ready to take the hook out. Fish does an intense wiggle, falls to the ground, the lure comes loose and "BANG", right into my thumb goes one part of the treble and another hook into my index finger. Release the beast safely into the water and take a look at my casting hand, doesn't look to good. Inspect the hook in the thumb, not too bad. Do the old wrap the line around the hook trick, yanked it out with ease. Index finger is next, bleeding pretty good. The hook gashed my finger about a half an inch, then embedded itself into the fatty part of the lower section of my index finger. Felt around for the point of the hook and decided to push it through and cut the barb off with my lineman pliers, it worked. Cleaned off my hand and ran to the local pharmacy, picked up some peroxide and some bandages. After cleaning up the injury I had to make a decision, do I call it a day or do I get back to the HOT PIKE bite. Right back to the fish I went. Managed to pick up 5 more Pike for the day coming to a total of 8. 4 fish were between 24-28 inches and 4 were between 30-34 inches. Hell of an afternoon on the river. I can still move my hand without any problem so Im assuming theres no nerve damage, LOL!!! All fish came on the X-rap pictured. I replaced the hooks after cutting them off to perform a little road surgery. Hows that for HARDCORE!?!? GOOD TIMES TIGHT LINEZ!!! YEA BUDDDDDDDDDDDYYYYY!!!
