[Jigman13]

So I high-tailed it outta the house yesterday about 330 pm leaving a smoke trail lol. It was my first time day fishing in months. I was nervous and paranoid--unaccustomed to being seen by others. So many people everywhere. It was a whole new world for me hahaha!

Anyhow, it hit Raritan river from shortly after 4 to about 7 pm. Caught a stupid number of smallies from 14" and smaller. Had a few dink largemouth and some beastly panfish, too. While wading about thigh deep at the tail end of a long run I see a tank cruising. Big ass river smallie. She cruised right by me and never spooked. As she faded away I kept casting my tube jig.

Made a cast across river and downstream a bit and my rod just doubled over. A series of blistering runs up and downstream I thought I had a small carp at first bc there were no aerials--fish just stayed down. Finally at the ass end of a run downstream she made a lazy lunge at the surface. Oooo buddy... toad smallie.

Eased her in, grabbed the lip and admired her. Love this shit! Quick tape and snapped a pic. 19" on the nose. Prob around 4 lbs and full of piss and vinegar. Waded out and held her tail until she got her bearings then with a few flaps of her tail I was soaked and she was gone.

As Ice Cube said, "it was a good day." Enjoy the thumbnail porn.