Local angler and fishing guide, Shane Goodner,
calls this catch a good day on the lake!
Stepping outside our typical arts box for our 29th Anniversary issue, we’re hopping on a fishing boat to show off a local angler. As our Hot Springs lakes open up for fishing and fishing tournaments, what better time to feature Shane Goodner, of Catch ‘em All fishing guide service?
“What began as a fun and productive rainbow trout trip on Lake Catherine suddenly escalated into a trophy striper fishing adventure by anyone’s standards. As I motored quietly upstream that morning, I informed my good friend, Mike Murray, that I witnessed stripers in the 20-30-pound class chasing rainbow trout the day before while guiding. I assured him that we would have a good chance to hook one of those monsters during our trout fishing trip.
“Big striped bass love feeding on rainbow trout and will often attack lures that imitate trout or shad. We caught and released over 50 trout that morning and that activity acted like a magnet to draw the stripers within casting range. Huge swirls appeared around the boat as I launched a large shad colored lure into the fray.
“A moment later, a heart-stopping strike and hook-set followed and the fight was on. A 20-minute battle ensued that was made more difficult by heavy current and numerous underwater obstructions. Far too large for a landing net, I attempted to grab the bass by the mouth and twice was shown how much strength mother nature can exert in times of self-preservation. Pulling out of my grasp, he continued to drag the boat against the current until finally tiring and floating to the surface.
“He tipped the scales at just over 42 pounds and provided my friend with 5-gallon bags of filleted meat. We landed another striper that weighed 22 pounds along with a 5-pound black bass that was mixed in with the feeding fish.
“Not a normal day on the water, but one that will be long remembered in my journey as a professional guide of 30 years.”
With a lifetime of fishing knowledge at your fingertips, take a look at www.catchemall.com for an experience to last a lifetime.
