Whether the best fishing spots can be found in Humboldt or Iola is an argument Taner King, 9, will not debate.
King, a seasoned fisherman who first cast his line as a kindergartner, keeps his favorite fishing spots — “a creek and a pond” — close to the vest.
“We have caught tons of big bass and catfish in Humboldt at the pond,” he said.
King said only one thing stands in his way of catching the really “big ones.” He has to catch them before the grown-ups do.
“They kept on taking out those big fish,” he said of the last time he fished with adults.
King said he prefers catch-and-release, but once or twice he has eaten them.
Like most boys his age, patience is an obstacle. Reeling his line in and out of the water helps pass the time.
“Sometimes it takes forever and it’s like nothing is ever going to bite,” he said.
King mainly sticks with worms, but has been known to deviate.
“One time we used this nasty, stinky catfish bait,” he said. “My mom didn’t like baiting it,” he added laughing.
After such a lengthy career, Taner has advice to offer to others longing to catch fish big enough to fill their plates.
“Sometimes when the fish are trying to make your rod break, you yank it to where it doesn’t break,” he said.
King tested the waters Tuesday during the annual Ed Hendrix Fishing Derby at Iola Elks Lake. Although he won an award for catching the third-biggest fish at a Humboldt fishing tournament last year, he was uncertain whether he would catch anything at the Iola lake.
After all, he knows the secret spots in Humboldt where all the big ones hang out, he said.
Boy’s fishing success a secret
