2008 December Winner
Submitted By: budsbud66

My boyfriend and I use the summer to our advantage and we take alot of time to fish during the summer months. The month we cought these fish we took off Tuesday - Sunday with a small 30 boat tournament being held on Sunday. we fished some great spots on green bay on tuesday and weds. and we pretty much decided where we were fishing on sunday. however we took a two day trip much further away from the launch in hopes of finding bigger fish. We stayed at a really nice campground and fished two days in a new area. We started the mourning out at 6AM and the first 8 hours came without a bite. we kept covering ground and we ran into a wonderful spot on northern green bay. the first fish we landed was over 30.5 inchs 10lbs+ and very fat. the second fish was over 9lb's+. This picture displays the first two fish. we continued to fish the spot for about 45 minutes and cought 7 fish total, all over 27 inchs. On tournament day we decided to brave the 2-4ft waves and make the 35 mile trip to that very spot. We only have a 18ft boat with a 150hp. and it was about a 2 hr drive to get there. we only had 2hrs to fish and in the tournament we landed 5 fish, and lost the 3 biggest we had on. we lost a 10lb fish on the side of the boat. In the tourney we could only weight 3 fish. are total weight ended up as 18lbs and change. the 6lb average was good enough for a 3rd place finish. this was only the second tournament i ever fished. I think boyfriend has got me more hooked then he is.

Category: Walleye

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2008 November Winner
Submitted By: kennedy11

fishing a spot that has produced for me over the years in beverly.the water goes from 30feet to about 10 to 2 feet.They are always eating crabs and lobsters in there.The fish hit right when the bait hit the water,and started a pretty good run towards the lobster traps so i put the drag and muscled him in pretty quick.A good fish-best this year.

Category: InShore Saltwater

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2008 October Winner
Submitted By: Apollo 12

THE START: We caught this fish in the water, the water was wet. We used fishing line, the fishing line was Trilene. We took a picture, we took the picture with a camera. We put the fish back in the water, the water was still wet. THE END

Category: Bass

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2008 September Winner
Submitted By: fishinsexy

I went fishing with my fish crazy boyfriend at a local lake, it was windy and cold, not to mention no one was catching anything but we decided to stay :) We found a cute little spot out of the way of everyone else and settled in for the day! I found the money hole!!! My boyfriend kept telling me to stay away from the weeds but I had a plan of my own! My first cast didn't satisfy me so I tried again...PERFECT!!!!!!!! Not more than 3 seconds after my awesome cast did I get a huge bite! Slightly irritated at me for not listening to his advice, I just calmly told my boyfriend "Babe, babe, I have a bite" I tried not to let him see how big it really was but before I could even think of anything else he was yelling "Look baby you got a hog!!!" I was so excited! Needless to say, everyone that wasn't catching anything saw my nice catch! And by the end of the day we had a family that had moved to fish next to us, when the daddy told his little girl to come try by him she said to him "But daddy the big fish is over here!" So regardless of the fact that is was cold, windy and the fish weren't biting I got myself a nice Trout! We caught a lot of fish that day but no matter how hard my boyfriend tried nothing compared to the first catch of the day! I swear it has something to do with the pink and purple pole I have :)

Category: Trout

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2008 August Winner
Submitted By: Angler Ace

It was a typical California February morning, cold mid 40's not freezing but comfortable for that time of year, compared to where I used to live, no wind to cause a wind chill either. That morning were headed to ROE ISLAND the delta area between Martinez and Pittsburg California. The water was a calm 50+ degrees and we were there to do some STURGEON fishing. Today I was using my five and a half boat rod with a jigmaster 500 reel filled with 25 pound test trilene line, and salmon roe for bait. Not long after we droped anchor we started getting action right away. There were 2 sturgeon on board already when I got my bite. As soon as I set the hook, this monster broke water, I mean the entire length of this sturgeon cleared the water 2 to 3 feet. I think it was about 30 minutes before he was on the deck, after which I took a well deserved rest. Another successful fishing venture completed.

Category: Other

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2008 July Winner
Submitted By: Lewiswmx1

Were on my boat My wife was getting snaged up ask if we could move. Got her untangled. Went to reel my line in a couple of feet and a couple of twiches and it hit.Had 6 lb test one was carful in getting it in. She netted it after 2 trys in the boat and the line broke. Just Luck

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Bass

 
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2008 June Winner
Submitted By: 1morecast

Here is my first fish using my new Abu Garcia ProMax Reel!! Stillhooked and I headed north Friday the 13th to visit my parents for the weekend and to take Dad out fishing for Father's Day. When we were about an hour from our destination the rain started to let up and Stillhooked asked me if I wanted to try some night fishing - - of course I said "YES"! I got the State Lakes map book out and navigated the back roads through the rain and deer until we arrived at Chippewa Lake! As we unloaded the boat the rain quit and was replaced by a beautiful rainbow over the lake. I got out my new 7ft med/heavy rod which was paired with my Abu Garcia reel. I rigged it with a steel leader(hoping to hook up with a walleye or pike) and attached a dark brown crawdad 10ft diving lure. We were trolling at approx. 3mph in 14 - 17 foot of water. The water temp was 71 degrees. I was slowly reeling the 10# Trilene Pro Grade line back in when I hooked up with something - we had only been out for about half an hour. It was 9:30pm here in Michigan. Stillhooked stopped trolling. My rod had a nice curve going to indicate the size of this fish! My partner thought it might be a dogfish(bowfin)from what he could see when it was fighting. I told him it was a walleye!! The closer I got it to the boat the harder the fight. Stillhooked grabbed the net and Oh my gosh- Oh my gosh!! This fish was big with large glowing eyes!! I was so excited to catch my first walleye! Stillhooked put the net down into the water and I reeled him right into it. He handed me the net and I put my hand into one of his gills and lifted him out! 28" and approx. 7 lbs. What a thrill. My very first walleye and first catch with my new reel! Thank You so much Berkley and Abu Garcia for your generosity and quality products - I couldn't have done it without my new set-up! I couldn't have done it without my wonderful Captain either!! WOO-HOO!!

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Walleye

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2008 May Winner
Submitted By: kitty1963

It was a cool morning, but warming up quickly under the bright sun. The first Saturday in May...opening day for walleye. However, my story starts a few years back. Being newly single, I would walk the sidewalk along the Oswego river(in upstate NY)on a daily basis. One evening when I was walking, I saw a cute guy fishing. I smiled, said Hello and continued on my walk. I returned a short time later and he was still there! As I was getting closer, I heard a little girl yell daddy from the parking lot above. Disappointed, I walked on by. A couple weeks later on my way home, a car pulled up next to me and stopped. It was him! We talked and I asked about the little girl. He didn't know who she was. We exchanged phone numbers and started to date. I soon realized fishing was his thing. I had never been fishing, but I was happy to tag-a-long and sit while he fished. Several years passed with him fishing while I sat and watched. Then one day he asked me if I wanted to give fishing a try. I said yes, so he bought me a license, rod and reel and on that cool morning, opening day walleye season, I went fishing for the first time. After a few hours of casting and hooking the bottom of the river, I thought that I had hooked it again, but to my surprise, I had a fish! This seven and a half pound walleye. I was so excited till I was told I had to kiss it! (My first fish) Yuck!! But I did. Since that beautiful day I have fished for walleye, bass and even given steelhead a try. So to make a long story short...because of the love of fishing, I hooked me "Berkley Big Fish" and caught an amazing man. I am one lucky woman to have discovered the joy of fishing and the love of a life long partner...steelheadrich.

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Walleye

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2008 April Winner
Submitted By: Kpangle

This was a good day on the water. My wife and I were in Acapulco on a vacation in February with our kids. On this day my wife and daughter decided to stay behind and enjoy the spa, my son and I booked a day on the big blue with hopes of one of us catching a sailfish or marlin. For years my son and I had fished bass tournaments in Oregon, so we have spent countless hours together on the water. It has always been a dream of mine to experience catching a sailfish with him. With snow on the ground in Oregon, a warm day on the water was going to feel great. Prior to this day, the fishing reports were not good, being the optimist; we decided that time on the water was the adventure and a catch would be the bonus. We met at the dock with the crew, immediately I sensed these two knew how to find fish. After a brief discussion, they were excited to hear that we were some what experience fishermen. Because of the slow reports, I was able to talk them into going out a few more miles until we found fish. We left the dock and headed West out to sea. The seas were calm. As we went further out, the waters translucent blue was intensified. I have been on a few deep sea trips, but the water on this trip was magnificent. I was excited to see that the Capt. had spooled the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Big Game 9000i reels with fresh Berkley Big Game 40 lb test ultra clear. I knew that the odds were stacked in our favor. Once we got out past the other boats, we had a big sail hit a squid skirt. The sailfish came completely out of the water and shook the teaser. The rush of watching 100 pounds of fish clearing the water 60 feet away is something you will not soon forget. About 30 minutes later a rod goes completely down. Before we can get it clear of the holder, the line goes slack. We are now 0 for 2. Another 2 hours go by and I see some fish working the surface. I show the Captain what I see and he moved the boat into position. It was instant fish on. This time I was able to get a good hook set. It was a brief 15 minute battle. The Berkley Big Game held up great as I knew it would and the Big Game 9000i reel was smooth and comfortable. As the fish was put on the rear deck, my son is shouting from the upper deck, I turned and he took this photo. He was smiling from ear to ear, I guess I was too. As hard as the crew tried for another sailfish or marlin, we were not able to get a fish for my son. Now we have more reason to go back and give it another try. I cant wait to send you all a photo of my son and his first sailfish. Yes Sir, this was another good day on the water and good way to beat the winter blues...

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: InShore Saltwater

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2008 March Winner
Submitted By: steelheadrich

This fish was caught using Berkley green gulp. It was caught in January of this year (2008) in the Oswego river. A storm front had just passed through and the air temperature was 15 degrees with a windchill of about zero. The water temperature was 33 degrees. It was cold! I do most of my fishing from October to May. My favorite species is the steelhead. I have been an avid fisherman for more than 30 years. I live close to two excellent rivers for steelhead. I'm five mins. from the Oswego river and twenty mins. from the Salmon river, both in upstate NY.

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Trout

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February Winner
Submitted By: Aquaman

I was fishing in Mexico in early December. I was using light Berkley monofilament and a topwater bait. The weather was heavily overcast, with occasional light mist. My partner clued me into a perfect combination of deep water and shallow structure. He was absolutely sure that this spot would hold the big one we were looking for. The fish exploded on the Zara Spook with a vengeance! I kept heavy pressure on the 4 pound test Trilene for fear the fish would take me into the dozens of nearby brushpiles. The fish made two tremendous jumps, but the line held up great! The fish was quickly released after a quick photo. Thanks, Berkley!

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.

Category: Bass

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January Winner
Submitted By: syndiotactic

The night before, we had hit seven smallies within minutes just after sundown on the edge of the reeds in eight foot water. Some two, three and one four-pounder. Nice way to end the day. Noon the following day, a bluebird day in late June, we couldn't hit anything bigger than rock bass. It was post-spawn but many fish were still hanging in the shallows. Many we could see but not entice to follow on either Texas-rigged crawlers or crankbaits. It seemed like everything had changed. In frustration, we moved out to about six foot water and began casting into a different patch of reeds with single-bladed spinners. On the third cast the rod bent and nearly jumped out of my hands. Brought her up to the boat only to watch her dive and strip line a half dozen times before we were able to net what was to be a personal best smallie for me and biggest bass of the week for the group.

The BerkleyBigFish Grand Prize Winner will be chosen in January 2009 from the 12 BerkleyBigFish Finalists. Finalists are not eligible for a second seat in the final 12 and cannot compete in additional monthly Abu Garcia® Leader-Board Challenges with any entries.
Category: Bass

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