Northern Pike and Bluegills at Rocky Gorge

Type: Nontidal
Region: Southern
Location: Rocky Gorge Reservoir Scotts Cove

I went fishing by myself around 6 pm. I only brought nightcrawlers and my tackle box. I caught about 8 to 10 bluegills. I kept the smaller ones and threw back the bigger ones. I then took the smallest bluegill and put it on a big hook as bait. After an hour and about 4 casts...no luck, so I released all the small blugills I had in my bucket. I was just about ready to pack it up and go when I then saw a splash on the surface in the cove. I quickly raced back to the spot I let the small bluegills go and caught one. I rigged it on a huge hook and casted out. After about a minute I knew something was on my hook. I set the hook and reeled in. At first I thought it was a largemouth bass. It ended up being a 28 inch northern pike!! It almost got away! I pulled it onto the bank and the line snapped. I had to lunge at it with my net to assure my catch. This was the largest fish I have ever caught in freshwater, and needless to say I am stoked. This great fishing spot is 3 minutes from my house and I don't take advantage of it.