I caught my first northern(just under 30") last summer while smallie fishing, and it was as you say, down and dirty. I was also on my reel for the first time in a while. Funny story, I was standing in water about waist deep, and I couldn't get this fish close enough to get a hand on him. 10 feet or so, and he would run and roll, and I couldn't get him any closer. My wife walked down to my position, and said, "hand me your rod, and I'll back up a few steps and bring it to you". sounded good, until just as I was about to lift the fish from the water as he hung in front of me, he dove right between my legs. I knew if he wrapped my leg he was lost, so a one legged hopping dance ensued, for a few seconds. If anyone was watching they probably got a good laugh.