Severe Storm + Spinnerbaits + Speed Trolling = Fish #9

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/story_print.html?id=1782862&sponsor=

While fishing within eyesight of this incident (minutes before the storm), Ottawa MCI member Hedrik Wachelka and I were able to boat a fish. As we exited a no wake zone Hedrik and I decided to flatline speed troll spinnerbaits (http://www.riveratlures.com) over submergent weeds. My bait hit a patch of weeds and I began pumping the rod to knock the weeds off. Just as I stopped the pumping my rod doubled over. FISH ON! I am a caster 98% of the time and this marks my first fish caught trolling, outside of using a guide. The battle was quick thanks to the short amount of line we had out. Blood was taken, transmitter affixed, and off he went. Fish #9 retreated to the weeds and sat there for the next 2+ hours. We returned yesterday to track it and found it a bit upstream of the catch site, but alive. Pictures to come!

I am happy that we caught a fish, but also glad no one was injured in the lightning strike/house fire. That would have put a damper on the day as we pretty much saw the bolt strike the house (and yes, it was eardrum shattering!).