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#1797365 - 10/04/20 07:59 PM In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4
Tall 1 Offline

Member

Registered: 05/02/03
Posts: 17848
Today I went to the CT River to remember Our friend, my friend, Ray Z.
I brought my custom drop shot rod that Ray had built for me and threw a soft jerkbait.
I was hoping for one fish, just one, in Ray’s honor.
My wish came true when a spunky little smallie smashed the bait, and after a noble fight, came to hand.
I took a picture and talked to Ray for a while, and knew that he was smiling down on me from above.


I caught a few on a tube too including a fall fish


The fluke was the star of the day again, and I stayed with it most of the afternoon and it got bit a lot.




I continued to hit fish consistently as I worked a nice current seam. Then, I hooked the fish of dreams. A river tiger smallie worthy of Ray’s memory and the rod he had built for me.
This fish was everything you could ask for in a smallmouth: massive, acrobatic, tenaciously determined to break me off and strong... oh so strong from a long life of fighting in the current.
My new PB River smallie, and close to 5 lbs.



This was Ray’s fish. I’m happy to have had this encounter with an amazing fish, and, like Ray, I will never forget it.

RIP my friend.....
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#1797368 - 10/04/20 08:03 PM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
Don P Offline

Member

Registered: 05/03/07
Posts: 18898
Loc: CLINTON, CT
Ray built you that rod off a St. Croix blank?

TANK of a Smallmouth! Congrats!
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#1797369 - 10/04/20 08:05 PM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Don P]
Tall 1 Offline

Member

Registered: 05/02/03
Posts: 17848
Originally Posted By: Don P
Ray built you that rod off a St. Croix blank?

TANK of a Smallmouth! Congrats!


Yes he did.



Edited by Tall 1 (10/04/20 08:06 PM)
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#1797381 - 10/04/20 08:55 PM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
CWood Man Offline

Stop Bitchin' And Get Fishin'!

Registered: 02/13/04
Posts: 22613
Loc: Villas NJ
Great report Jon, way to remember a friend. Congrats on a good day



CHANGE IS SCARY BUT IT IS REWARDING ON THE OTHER SIDE!

SURELY MISS MY CTF FRIENDS BUT ALWAYS WILL BE HERE TO GIVE ALL A HARD TIME!

Team MOY

"How about a Fresca?!"

Don't call me on a Tuesday, I'm on the water!






Chris
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#1797383 - 10/04/20 10:06 PM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
O-BASS Offline

Member

Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 20124
Fantastic fish, great report and what a way to remember our friend. Thanks for a great read Jon.
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#1797392 - 10/05/20 04:36 AM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
Nick_S Offline

Member

Registered: 07/15/14
Posts: 900
Loc: Wallingford, CT
Great pics nice trip

FISHING > SLEEP
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#1797393 - 10/05/20 05:06 AM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
Don D Offline

Member

Registered: 01/03/02
Posts: 7028
Loc: Bristol, CT
Ray was looking over your shoulder for sure Jon. Congrats on your personal best.

If there are fish to catch. I'll be there to my end.
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#1797395 - 10/05/20 05:48 AM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
JohnS Offline

Life Time Member

Registered: 01/19/02
Posts: 12634
Loc: Wallingford/Florida
Simply fantastic in every way, shape, and form. Great tribute, what a brilliant way to honor him. pray beerchug smallie

New House 5/18
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#1797417 - 10/05/20 08:46 AM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
Mitch P. Offline



Registered: 05/04/01
Posts: 31725
Nice, Jon!
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#1797424 - 10/05/20 09:11 AM Re: In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4 [Re: Tall 1]
swwind Offline

Member

Registered: 06/10/03
Posts: 15005
Well done Sir !

""Happy Talk" . . . . . Because it has worked so well thus far"

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