Zman
Well-known member
My buddy made it clear to me last month that he wasn't interested in fishing any tournaments this year or joining a bass club, he just wanted to beat his personal best bass, about 4 pounds. I figured we'd have a shot at that in April-May, and since I'll be moving back to Pittsburgh soon, we might as well skip the tournies and just have fun. So...
What a way to start the season - March 2, 2008:
Finally got out for the first time this year. Took my buddy and former co-worker and went to our favorite lake, which had just opened for the season the day before our trip.
Well we leave the dock and hit the very first shoreline. I take a few casts with a Rapala slash bait, and he takes his first cast, using a senko. He quickly gets a bite and says it's a big one. I figured it's just been so long since he's hooked one, it's probably just a 1-2 pounder. But it fights him hard and takes its time, he sees it and yells for the net. I still haven't seen it, and I just tease him and tell him he probably snagged a carp.
He's pretty much flipping out by now, and I finally see the bass as it gets to the boat. I go to net it and it doesn't fit into my net! I take a second swipe and had to net it tail first to get it in. What a fish! I haven't seen one that big in several years.
23", 14" girth and just over 7 pounds on the scale, I swore it was over 8. It was longer than a 7.3 I caught years ago, and head a bigger mouth and head. Check the pics, if I told you that was a 9, I think you'd have to believe it eh?
Myself, I caught a couple around 3, and several others, all on the Rapala X-Rap Shad Rap. He caught a few more on a shakey head and spinnerbait. Great first day, I guess next trip I'll have to beat my personal best!
Oh and the old adage about catching a fish on the first cast = bad luck, well not today!
What a way to start the season - March 2, 2008:
Finally got out for the first time this year. Took my buddy and former co-worker and went to our favorite lake, which had just opened for the season the day before our trip.
Well we leave the dock and hit the very first shoreline. I take a few casts with a Rapala slash bait, and he takes his first cast, using a senko. He quickly gets a bite and says it's a big one. I figured it's just been so long since he's hooked one, it's probably just a 1-2 pounder. But it fights him hard and takes its time, he sees it and yells for the net. I still haven't seen it, and I just tease him and tell him he probably snagged a carp.
He's pretty much flipping out by now, and I finally see the bass as it gets to the boat. I go to net it and it doesn't fit into my net! I take a second swipe and had to net it tail first to get it in. What a fish! I haven't seen one that big in several years.
23", 14" girth and just over 7 pounds on the scale, I swore it was over 8. It was longer than a 7.3 I caught years ago, and head a bigger mouth and head. Check the pics, if I told you that was a 9, I think you'd have to believe it eh?
Myself, I caught a couple around 3, and several others, all on the Rapala X-Rap Shad Rap. He caught a few more on a shakey head and spinnerbait. Great first day, I guess next trip I'll have to beat my personal best!
Oh and the old adage about catching a fish on the first cast = bad luck, well not today!
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