Cactus gets Caught Again

Mike looked up and saw Jon battling a fish that was putting up a pretty good fight. "Hey Jon, if you need a hand with that fish I'm right here just ask." said Mike. Mike reeled in his line and sat back watching while Jon fought with his fish. "Remember that story I told you about he one that got away Jon," asked Mike. "Yes" was all that Jon said as he keep his focus on the fish. "This here is the same place I was at in the story. Hey, you might even have the same fish on your line." Mike just kept talking to Jon as he fought the fish. Jon was really getting pumped up the closer the fish got the harder he fought. "Mike, Mike take the rod my arms need a break this is a monster fish I can't land him by myself." Mike came to Jon's side but instead of taking the rod he encouraged Jon to keep the tip high and instructed him on when to pull and reel the line in. The monster fish boiled the water about twenty feet from shore and took off towards deep water. "Hold the tip high as you can Jon," shouted Mike. Jon responded by lifting the tip his rod as high over his head as he could get. The fish slowed down and Jon proceeded to reel him back in. This time when the fish was close he boiled the water again but Mike got a good look at him. "Jon, you got him. It looks like you caught Ole' Cactus. The fish that got away from me in the story is on your line right now." Mike teased Jon over and over about having Cactus on the line. Jon's excitement went off the charts and was still climbing as continued landing the big fish. When Ole' Cactus's head popped out of the water he yelled to Mike. "There he is, there he is. Mike forgot all about using a net and jumped into the shallow water and grabbed the fish by the gills and hauled his massive body thrashing wildly onto the shore. "Jon, do you know what you have just done?" asked Mike. "Yes, said Jon I caught my first big catfish." "Jon you really did catch Ole' Cactus the monster catfish. The one that got away from me. See here." Mike continued as he pointed to the split whiskers on the left side of the fishes jaw. Mike and Jon grabbed the big fish one on each side as they walked to the judges stand. The same judge that had weighed Mikes big fish had the honors of doing the same to Cactus. The judge came out with the results after having his numbers confirmed by a second judge. We have a clear tournament winner. Sir Jon with the largest fish in tournament history, 37 pounds 12 ounces and an overall length of 52 inches. Everyone cheered for Jon as he had his picture taken alongside Mike, Paul and the Monster catfish. After the picture Jon leaned over to Mike and whispered something. Mike made the announcement. Anyone wanting to see the release of this big fish come with us. Jon and Mike headed back to the spot where Cactus had been caught and slipped him back into the water and watched as he swam slowly away.