An extraordinary tale of persistence and serendipity unfolded on the waters of Toledo Bend Reservoir, where 83-year-old Gene Kidder achieved a lifetime angling dream. What began as a quiet day of fishing with his son, Lane, culminated in the capture of a magnificent nearly 12-pound largemouth bass on what was intended to be their final cast. This remarkable event not only marked a personal best for Kidder but also earned him an esteemed place in the lake’s renowned 'Lunker Club.' The story is a testament to the unexpected joys and enduring spirit found in the pursuit of fishing, proving that even after decades, the waters can still hold thrilling surprises.
An Unforgettable Catch on Toledo Bend Reservoir
On a bright December 18th, Gene Kidder, an 83-year-old retired banking loan officer from Opelousas, Louisiana, embarked on a fishing excursion to Toledo Bend Reservoir with his son, Lane. The day had been uneventful, yielding no fish until late afternoon. Around 3 p.m., as they prepared to return to camp in their Skeeter bass boat, they decided to make one final stop. They targeted a familiar submerged brush pile situated in 12 feet of water. Kidder, with a purple Bagley B2 plug, a lure that had resided in his tackle box for two decades, made his first cast into the area.
The lure struck the brush pile, and Kidder felt a tug. Initially mistaking it for a snag due to the fish's lack of a strenuous fight in the cool waters of the 185,000-acre lake, which spans the Texas-Louisiana border southwest of Shreveport, he soon realized it was a bass. As they brought it closer to the boat, both father and son were astonished to discover it was an exceptionally large largemouth. Lacking a net, they skillfully maneuvered the exhausted fish into the boat by hand.
Recognizing the bass’s impressive size, exceeding 10 pounds, a first for Kidder, they placed it in the livewell. They then hastened to the nearby Buckeye Landing for an official weigh-in and measurement. The magnificent catch was recorded at 11.9 pounds, boasting a 20-inch girth and a length of 28.25 inches. To qualify for a complimentary replica mount, the fish was required to be weighed alive, tagged, and subsequently released. The staff at Buckeye Landing ensured its healthy return to the water.
The following day, Lane returned to Toledo Bend, eager to replicate his father's success with a similar blue Bagley B2 plug. However, his attempt to cast into a brush pile resulted in the loss of the vintage lure. Despite the minor mishap, which brought a shared laugh between father and son, Kidder plans to procure a similar replacement online to commemorate his extraordinary catch by placing it in the mounted bass’s mouth upon its completion in June.
The Enduring Allure of Angling: A Timeless Pursuit
Gene Kidder's remarkable catch serves as a poignant reminder that the thrill of fishing transcends age and experience. It underscores the importance of patience, the joy of shared experiences with loved ones, and the unexpected rewards that nature can bestow. This story inspires anglers of all generations to embrace the 'one last cast' mentality, illustrating that even when hope dwindles, a monumental moment might just be waiting. It reinforces the timeless appeal of the outdoors and the simple yet profound satisfaction found in the pursuit of a passion, encouraging us to never give up on the possibility of a truly special catch.