I Never Thought I Would Break This PB (Spillway Fishing for Wipers)

[@KaisFishing]

That is absolutely unbelievable!! What a fish and what luck to not snap off there! Congrats on the PB!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I’m so lucky my laziness to change the line didn’t cost me! This fish makes me wonder how big they can actually get below this spillway!

[@DwightPerkins-i7t]

The walk down to the spot is so cool and precarious I absolutely love it. One in the 80s here down south I fished above a spillway chute and caught 3 on 3 consecutive drops with an ultralight rod and reel using a white eighth oz crappie jig with a pink sparkle body. Because I was above them I had absolute control because they basically were only able to swim in circles in the chute. The 3 fish must have been from the same stocking because they were all the same size. Had to have my buddy net them at the end of the chute. They ranged on the digital scale from 14.3 to 14.5. I have never done that before and I'm sure will never do it again but man what a thrill. You had a much fairer fight with yours than I did. I'm like you on hybrids, I believe when they are that size they are about at their growth limit. Thanks again for an edge of your seat, hold my breath battle on that one you caught. Look forward to every video you put out. Thanks again man❤

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes, it is a very narrow path to get to the spot. That's a good fish story from your old spillway. I'm thinking this spot has the potential to produce a state record (20 lbs). There were so many big ones caught last year it seems like only a matter of time before someone finds the unicorn. Thank you!

[@AGdaRiverRat]

You are the wiper king man, and that is what I will name you the next time I we meet lol. That fish is just amazingly built and obviously healthy. Im amazed you didnt break off when your reel jammed on ya. If I wouldve lost it I definitely wouldve cried 😂 It just shows us that for sure they can get bigger than just 14lbs- no doubt. -AP

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I am also amazed I didn't pay the price for not putting new line on my reel. Lesson learned. I'm not going to risk it again down there. Definitely they can get bigger. But how big??

[@AGdaRiverRat]

@@BackroadsAngling In here definitely 20lbers have been here if not are here. There was once about a month ago when I would see them go airborne all the time and off of the current I saw the biggest top water explosion I have ever seen. The wiper that came up was absolutely massive and dark in color was at least past 14 and around the size of not bigger than the one you caught here

[@Bleda412]

Awesome fish! That looked like a lot of fun.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, no drug can beat it!

[@SluSharkND]

That was a monster. And you let it go so you can get it again at 17 or 18lbs. Great job, sir!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes, certainly better than the asian carp I thought I was getting! The state record is 19.6 lbs. It makes me wonder if there are any fish close to that mark in this river system. Another guy was just telling me he recently snagged a 17 lb 8 oz wiper. That is getting close enough to the mark to make your imagination start going about what could be there! Thanks for watching!

[@erichjelmberg1661]

No worse feeling than almost getting completely spooled on a massive fish. Great catch

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, got a little tense there for a minute!

[@DarrinOchsner]

Congrats on the PB! Makes you wonder what other monster fish may be living there. Thanks for sharing!👍🤜 Glad you let it go to get even bigger!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks! I've been telling people that a state record could be caught here in the next 2-3 yrs. The average size this year has been off the charts and DD fish have become relatively common. If one of those DD fish continues on a solid growth spurt it could conceivably make it to the 19.6 lb mark. What can I say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one!

[@lukecarroll9540]

That's awesome bud!! I have been looking forward to this vid coming out after seeing how excited you were that morning! Congrats!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it was nice to meet a fellow lover of the striped fish and share some fish stories!

[@FishingWithZach]

First off I'm glad I'm not the only one that puts off respooling their reel lol. Congrats on the new pb that is awesome. Bet that was one heck of a fight!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Ya I’m bad at that. Especially at the end of the year when I’m like it’s OK this will get me through to the end. Crazy thing is if I had broke him off I would have just thought I had an Asian carp. Thanks I won’t forget this one!

[@FishingWithZach]

@BackroadsAngling that's exactly what I do. I need to respool and always use a leader. Ive lost two awesome fish because I didn't use a leader line 😞

[@kingfisherxv]

Congrats on the PB! What a tank and dream fish to catch!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it was one I won't forget!

[@DpuckFishingandOutdoors]

Incredible, dude. That spillways is beyond magic, the amount of big fish you pull out of it. You catch giant species of fish the way I get dink bass. I am jealous!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it really is an unreal fishery. I don't know how it can sustain itself given all the fishing pressure it gets but somehow there are always trophies swimming around. You certainly catch your share of big ones!

[@Leon-lp9fl]

Nice curve on the rod being truly tested with 15.9 on. Cemented in your memory, . Scale calibration interesting when you even move your hands just a little bit. You can be proud for sure.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes, my $35 dollar ugly stick rod is not expensive but it always seems to hold up to the test. I'll never forget it that's for sure! The scale is interesting. I've found you have to hold it straight up and down to get the best results and it's important to give it about 5 seconds to stabilize. Thanks!

[@aTallCool1]

I can't imagine what your heart rate spiked to when you could see the spool! Congrats!

[@BackroadsAngling]

I was a little nervous but not too bad because I was convinced that I had snagged a 20 lb asian carp in the tail. If I had actually known what was on my line I definitely would have been stressed. I went straight home afterwards and put more line on my reel - lesson learned! Thank you!

[@vongxiong3332]

Where is this at? Biggest hybrid i caught was 17lb here in Oklahoma

[@paulmanzone8373]

Beautiful wiper my man!!! I'm shaking for you lol Nice job

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it took me awhile to calm down after that one. Better than any drug that’s for sure!

[@paulmanzone8373]

@@BackroadsAngling The tug IS the drug! My favorite saying

[@TracyWhatever]

Congrats!! It was a beautiful fish! 🎉🎉🎉

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I agree. A nice looking fish indeed!

[@RiverRat1701]

I know the exact location you are fishing. I grew up just a few miles away. It's been a few years since I have fished it. Looks like it has changed a lot. My boat would be anchored just a few feet North of you back then. Back then it was a good day during the week. I caught a 7LB walleye a few miles north of there by the Dam.

[@BackroadsAngling]

It’s a nice spot to have only a few miles away! I wonder if a boat could make it up this far this fall with the low water we are having? It would be a close call in the rapids down below. I know where u are talking with your big walleye. Good spot! Thanks!

[@RiverRat1701]

No it would not be a good time, you would loose the lower unit. I all ways went in the spring. If it's a spring rain storm, WOW the big eyes like to bite. @@BackroadsAngling

[@EngineeringHooksets]

When I die I want to be reincarnated as Backroads Angling

[@BackroadsAngling]

I don't know about that it has its downsides but you would get to fish the spillway of dreams on a regular basis so that is a definite plus!

[@colinwalter9381]

Congrats! Fish of a lifetime!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I won't forget it!

[@Vangster23]

Awesome hybrid there! Moving up to Cedar Rapids and hope to fish with ya one day!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I'm sure I'll see you out there.

[@fishinwithschroeder]

Very nice!!! Love that spot!!What a FISH!!!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, a great spot indeed!

[@mantle14]

just earned a subscriber, that was amazing!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, glad to have you!

[@STG8811]

What a monster! And in the same spot I caught my PB wiper!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it was a cool fish! Congrats on the PB!

[@STG8811]

We should hit up the dam sometime! I live like 8 minutes away lol.

[@BackroadsAngling]

@@STG8811 sounds good to me!

[@williamevan3737]

That is a monster my man!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it was an amazing fish!

[@grandwonder5858]

That fish would look real good battered and fried and placed on my kitchen table!

[@BackroadsAngling]

I didn't really have any reason to keep this fish. A fish this big is super rare and doesn't taste as good as the smaller white bass and walleye that are everywhere in this river.

[@scottr4086]

You were just under 16, considering the weight of the gripper, but still an awesome fish! Congrats, and enjoy the catch

[@BackroadsAngling]

I zero the wt of the gripper before clamping on the fish so there is no extra wt added. It wouldn't steady itself at 16 lbs so yes something like 15.9 - 15.95 lbs is the honest wt but still very close. Thanks!

[@perfectleveladventurefishi619]

that loooks hellla fun.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes it is! And a good workout.

[@spandantdm2655]

You should try to ice fish for wipers and Walleye that would be an amazing video to watch!

[@BackroadsAngling]

I agree that would be awesome. They can be pretty hard to find in the winter. Livescope would help. I’m working on it.

[@spandantdm2655]

@@BackroadsAngling ikr seeing you smash the wipers and stuff would be amazing

[@chriswood9836]

When your line started getting low on your spool i started getting real nervous because thats usually when they start running away

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes, I cranked my drag down to max to keep any more line from going off and just about that time he tried to go on a run. I think at one point you can actually hear the tension in the line. Kudos to my 20 lb test because I think it might have withstood more than 20 lbs of pressure there for a little while. Lesson learned - always keep your spool full!! Thanks!

[@MuahMan]

Looks freezing there, is this WI, or MN?

[@Jhossack11]

I would be interested to know about your equipment…pound test, rod length and weight (mh, med, medlight etc.) and reel , size mainly but brand too. Great vid and congrats- great job. -great fish. (I will keep a couple of white bass myself).

[@BackroadsAngling]

All of my equipment is linked in the description if you want to check that out. Here's a quick overview: 20lb braid with 20 lb fluoro leader. 6'6" ugly stick medium action rod. Kastking Zephyr 3000 reel. 1/4 ounce jig head with 3.25 inch pulse-R swimbait. Thank you!

[@SuperBoricua93]

That’s an insane catch! The biggest I’ve seen caught there was a 17lber by some teenager

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, a 17 lber would be a sight to see!

[@FishingKit]

Congrats on the PB dude, fish was a slob.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I'm glad it turned out not to be my silver carp PB like I thought it was going to!

[@jessicabruss8164]

Great catch! My dad used to take me down there as a kid. Watching you makes me want to go back. Do you think it would be safe for a woman to fish alone on that stretch of river?

[@BackroadsAngling]

I think it should be safe. Especially on the side close to the road. It is easy to leave from there if you don't feel comfortable. On the other side where I was in this video I have never seen anyone that worried me. However, if there was someone threatening in this spot you would not have an easy exit. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbrooker6134]

Good Lord!!! That's the biggest white bass I have ever seen! I didn't even know they got that big!

[@BackroadsAngling]

It was a hybrid so they get bigger than white bass. I would say 18-20 lbs is about top of the line for these guys.

[@rockynash1193]

amazing fish!! what’s the biggest hybrid you seen below there?

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, this is easily the biggest one I’ve seen.

[@josiahamos7381]

Just subscribed bro!!!!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, glad to have you!

[@markkasper7281]

Congratulations nice content

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@hopokielce]

8:42 very lucky

[@qaibquality9448]

Are the fish safe to eat at that location

[@joelmaske2493]

Nice spot! every spillway spot here in Tx is swarming with mexican/central american immigrants and they keep everything undersize hyrbids especially they never get that big here! usually common carp and shad are the only thing they wont keep

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it's a good one. It is also heavily pressured but somehow the fishery continues to produce. I think the DNR stocks the wipers heavily in this area to offset the heavy fish consumption but still I don't know how the fishing is still good. I wish limits and regulations were tighter to make sure that fish populations stay strong but it seems this isn't a popular opinion.

[@Kjm420]

This is insane!! Do big wipers usually hit in the later fall? Nice catch. 🎣

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, the fall can be good for wipers but usually as the water gets in the 50F range or below they are harder to catch. This guy was probably grabbing one of his last meals before the winter.

[@janespooner5448]

Wow!

[@dwgwnr1969]

I just caught my pb last week too. 15lb in Oregon. Where you at? Ohio?

[@markstaten9526]

what a brute!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks it was a thrill to catch!

[@MuahMan]

What's a wiper? Is that a striped bass?

[@BackroadsAngling]

It's a hybrid between a white bass and striper.

[@TULUSRECORD]

Good

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thank you!

[@dylanmounsey7515]

You gotta be quicker with the wipers brother in and out of the water few seconds not minutes and minutes get a net lol use it

[@BackroadsAngling]

I don't know of anyone who would release a fish like this without first getting a weight and picture. I took the minimal amount of time to do that and then put it back. It definitely wasn't minutes and minutes. You can tell the fish was in good shape because it was ready to kick off as soon as it went in the water. I never use a net at this place because it's easy just to bend down and lip the fish.

[@JLeeChron]

Yeah the fall walleye hasn’t been good this year compared to last Dump the buffaloes..haha catch the good and release the game fish. IA has the worst water quality of any state

[@BackroadsAngling]

It's been hit or miss but I've been mostly missing, especially on the larger fish. The buffalo are native so they belong in the river but this time of year they tend to stack up in the deep holes where walleyes also like to go. I wish there was more of a desire to fix the water quality problem but it doesn't seem to be a priority.