SMDave
Well-known member
Hey everyone, I'm not sure if anyone remembers who I am, but I used to be a really active contributing member, and had actually been a part of this great community since its inception when Jim approached me -- I believe from the Bass Pro Shops forums -- to join as it was just taking off (side note -- I see my 'How to post pictures' tutorial is still stickied :wink: )
Anyways, it's been probably around 7/8 years since my last time time going for bass as well as having something substantial to contribute to this forum (I'm now 22 fwiw), as my interest for fishing really started dwindling as I started high school (I've never had to buy a license before, with 16 being the age in New Jersey). To make a long story short, I've been diagnosed with & battling depression recently, which has led me to taking up fishing again, as it was always a huge source of comfort and relaxation for me as a teenager. Went out last week and purchased my license as well as a new setup (I have enough lures to last me three lifetimes :LOL2: ). Hit the water a few times last week with the weather starting to warm up, and my goodness, even though I got skunked each time, there's nothing like being on the water!
To the actual report -- last night, probably my 3rd or 4th outing this season, I fished a small lake adjacent to a local college in the area (TCNJ in Ewing, NJ). Fished it at night after meeting a couple of friends, casting a black buzzbait and fishing it with a slow, steady retrieve -- just enough to keep the blades on the surface on chopping water. Not even five feet from shore and on my second cast, this fish exploded on it and I landed it after a short fight. I ended up leaving after about 20-30 mins., as the rain was starting to come down. My first bass for the year -- not to mention the monkey's now off my back after 7/8 years!
There truly is nothing in the world that compares to fighting and landing a fish, and I'm sad to say that I had all but forgotten the feeling of accomplishment and the thrill and rush that comes with hooking & holding up a nice bass. Especially on a topwater at night! Suffice to say, I'm back in the bass fishing world for the long haul!
Time: 9:00 PM EST
Conditions: Drizzling on and off all day, but relatively clear skies by the time I hit the water
Air Temp: ~58°F
Water Temp: Unknown. FWIW -- I'm pretty sure the fish haven't started spawning yet -- the weather has only recently started to turn, water still seems pretty cool
Lure: 3/8 oz. Booyah buzzbait (w/ the clacker) with a red 4/0 Gamakatsu trailer hook. Fished with a slow, steady retrieve
Rod//Reel: Field & Stream (Dick's house brand) Tec-Spec Black Casting Rod (6'10" MH-XF) // Daiwa Procaster 100H
Line: 30 lb. Power Pro with ~2 ft. Seaguar InvizX 100% Fluorocarbon leader
# of Fish/Weight: 1 x Largemouth bass, probably weighing in the '3lb. and change' range (I've always been bad at guesstimating the weight of fish, but that thing was FAT!). Length unknown.
Boy, it is good to be back
-- SMDave
Anyways, it's been probably around 7/8 years since my last time time going for bass as well as having something substantial to contribute to this forum (I'm now 22 fwiw), as my interest for fishing really started dwindling as I started high school (I've never had to buy a license before, with 16 being the age in New Jersey). To make a long story short, I've been diagnosed with & battling depression recently, which has led me to taking up fishing again, as it was always a huge source of comfort and relaxation for me as a teenager. Went out last week and purchased my license as well as a new setup (I have enough lures to last me three lifetimes :LOL2: ). Hit the water a few times last week with the weather starting to warm up, and my goodness, even though I got skunked each time, there's nothing like being on the water!
To the actual report -- last night, probably my 3rd or 4th outing this season, I fished a small lake adjacent to a local college in the area (TCNJ in Ewing, NJ). Fished it at night after meeting a couple of friends, casting a black buzzbait and fishing it with a slow, steady retrieve -- just enough to keep the blades on the surface on chopping water. Not even five feet from shore and on my second cast, this fish exploded on it and I landed it after a short fight. I ended up leaving after about 20-30 mins., as the rain was starting to come down. My first bass for the year -- not to mention the monkey's now off my back after 7/8 years!
There truly is nothing in the world that compares to fighting and landing a fish, and I'm sad to say that I had all but forgotten the feeling of accomplishment and the thrill and rush that comes with hooking & holding up a nice bass. Especially on a topwater at night! Suffice to say, I'm back in the bass fishing world for the long haul!
Time: 9:00 PM EST
Conditions: Drizzling on and off all day, but relatively clear skies by the time I hit the water
Air Temp: ~58°F
Water Temp: Unknown. FWIW -- I'm pretty sure the fish haven't started spawning yet -- the weather has only recently started to turn, water still seems pretty cool
Lure: 3/8 oz. Booyah buzzbait (w/ the clacker) with a red 4/0 Gamakatsu trailer hook. Fished with a slow, steady retrieve
Rod//Reel: Field & Stream (Dick's house brand) Tec-Spec Black Casting Rod (6'10" MH-XF) // Daiwa Procaster 100H
Line: 30 lb. Power Pro with ~2 ft. Seaguar InvizX 100% Fluorocarbon leader
# of Fish/Weight: 1 x Largemouth bass, probably weighing in the '3lb. and change' range (I've always been bad at guesstimating the weight of fish, but that thing was FAT!). Length unknown.
Boy, it is good to be back
-- SMDave
