Paddlefish on Fort Gibson

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While waiting for the competition to kick off on Grand Lake, Thomas Allen and I were fortunate enough to be invited out to catch paddlefish on Fort Gibson with a couple of awesome Oklahoma anglers Shane and Keith.
While waiting for the competition to kick off on Grand Lake, Thomas Allen and I were fortunate enough to be invited out to catch paddlefish on Fort Gibson with a couple of awesome Oklahoma anglers Shane and Keith.
With some rain in the air we loaded our gear and put on our rain suits as we launched the boat.
With some rain in the air we loaded our gear and put on our rain suits as we launched the boat.
A look up the river towards Lake Hudson.
A look up the river towards Lake Hudson.
I began to check out some of the hardware we were going to be utilizing on our adventure… talk about some heavy duty – battle proven equipment.
I began to check out some of the hardware we were going to be utilizing on our adventure… talk about some heavy duty – battle proven equipment.
Keith had a big bucket of snagging gear ready to go.
Keith had a big bucket of snagging gear ready to go.
Thomas posing with the hooks and weights.
Thomas posing with the hooks and weights.
The lucky combo.
The lucky combo.
We started out heading down river, graphing as we went.
We started out heading down river, graphing as we went.
No fish yet…
No fish yet…
We stumbled upon some really awesome caves.
We stumbled upon some really awesome caves.
Finally we came over a drop and located a big school of paddlefish.
Finally we came over a drop and located a big school of paddlefish.
We marked tons of fish, and some big ones too!
We marked tons of fish, and some big ones too!
Keith grabbed a rod and began to cast and pull.
Keith grabbed a rod and began to cast and pull.
This isn’t your average spinning setup…
This isn’t your average spinning setup…
Thomas and Keith hoping to connect.
Thomas and Keith hoping to connect.
Shane moving his hook sharp and fast through the water column.
Shane moving his hook sharp and fast through the water column.
We aint smallmouth fishin anymore boys…
We aint smallmouth fishin anymore boys…
Of course the photographer is the lucky one and hooks up first!
Of course the photographer is the lucky one and hooks up first!
Keeping tension on the fish was key as it screamed towards the boat.
Keeping tension on the fish was key as it screamed towards the boat.
After a few minutes of fighting Keith was able to help me get the fish under control.
After a few minutes of fighting Keith was able to help me get the fish under control.
Keith joking that this one is just a baby and that these fish get much bigger!
Keith joking that this one is just a baby and that these fish get much bigger!
Blown away by how cool these fish are!
Blown away by how cool these fish are!
Cheesin’ while Thomas took some beauty shots.
Cheesin’ while Thomas took some beauty shots.
That spoon bill.
That spoon bill.
A view from the hat cam just before releasing the fish.
A view from the hat cam just before releasing the fish.