today. Largemouth bass-temp in the low 70s, sunny(no clouds--usually 'bad' for bass); in my boss's farm pond south of Ft. Valley, GA. No one had fished it for months--he's a hunter not a fisherman.

Started casting a blue plastic worm with a rattlin' weight from the dam. Caught 4--from 1-2lbs--they were active. Put my plastic Basshunter III boat and gear in the pond and started workin the worm again--caught a couple more. I then started throwin' a 1/4 oz. white Nichols spinnerbait and the bass started jumpin' in the boat! Whew, what a day(only fished 4 hrs.)! One would hit the s/b, I'd hook her and 2 or 3 more would follow her back to the boat; tryin' to get the 'bait' away from the one I'd hooked.

I have a stringer with 10 clips--filled it and started culling the smaller ones. The 3 biggest were 3lbs 4, 5, & 6 ozs. I should have weighrd the stringer when it was full-bet 'it' weighed close to 25lbs total. Took a few pics of me and the 10 bass--wish I could post the pics Got some sun too.


Dan

 

Sounds like a great day, disappointing to hear you stringered them... that's exposes the fish to major stress, those you culled will likely die as well.... I am a tournament fisherman, all catch and release on Bass... live to fight another day....

I am heading to Okeechobee for 3 days of fishing 12/12.... can't wait...

John

 

No stress--they all took off like a Lightning . This is an all- stainless steel stringer(had it for 30 years). The links are covered by surgical tubing and the 'clips' are 3'x 1 1/2"--I 'clip' them thru the lower membrane attached to the lower jaw--they 'swim' as I move around with my electric trolling motor. I did kill one, only because I gut-hooked her in the throat--got the hook out by putting my pliers between the gills--no bleeding, but I must have pulled something loose internally. They were all released-healthy/spunky after I took their/our picture.

I caught the same 6lb 1oz bass out off an other pond last year 3 different times--over 2 months. I towed her aronud for over 3 hours the first time--caught her twice after that. I knew it was 'her' because of the hole in the membrane from the stringer 'clip'--and her weight(digital scale) The first time she blew up out of a lilly pad bed on my Gary Yamamoto Senko--the second time, she slurpped in a trick-worm--and the third time-on the Senko(you should try some of these if you haven't already) in some duck weed.

Dan

 

Lightnig - HHHMMM - GOOD DAY - I don't think the fact that you MAY have injured one bass is a big deal. It looks like you fished a privet pond, with not much fishing pressure, in fact it MIGHT be a good idea to harvest it once in a while in order to cull out some of the fish that could become an overpopulation problem.
jr -
I am not a fan of tounament fishing, for a number of reasons, but thats OK if it's your bag. Having fished "Okee" years ago I know there are some BIG DEVILS there - Good luck - wish I was there!

rr

 

Dan,

I got a to fish a profesionally maintained private 40 acre pond in Alabama once. It was modeled after Ray Scotts own lake. By 10 o'clock my thumb was raw and my right hand hurt from reeling. I know I caught umpteen thousand fish that day. I have NEVER ever been fishing where fish just "turn-on" like that. What makes it even better was the fact that the following weekend, I went fishin' with another buddy (who professionally fishes now) to Lake Murray, fished from sun up to sun down and didn't get a single freakin' bite. Made me realize just how "special" that day was. Oh yeah, the largest fish I landed was ~7.5 lbs. I lost count of the 3-4 lbers. He had taken a few 12+lbers from that 40 acre to. Too bad he sold the place last year.

 

I knew you were a nice guy--now I find out you're a bass fisherman too --looks like we both had 'great days'.

Like with our Ls, I guess we'll have to see who has the biggest bass too! Ever been to South Lake on Bienville Plantation in north Florida? Gators and bass!!!

Dan

 

I have to agree with roadrunner. On a small lake with little to no pressure, the bass need culling every now and then to keep the population health. Catch and release pertains more to lakes with heavy pressure.
GDG

 

Well, if it is a pond that is not fished much, it is probably very well balanced in population, it is when humans get involved and take the large bass out that causes bream populations to explode.

If left alone, the pond will maintain its balance... In this case a few probably won't hurt it. Just remember that most released fish mortality does not occur the day they are released. So a speeding fish after being towed and released does not mean it survives. Mortality can occur in the next few days and those fish whose bacteria membrane (slime) is damaged may take weeks to die/heal.

Only point is that stringering the fish cause them undue harm and stress, especially if you do not plan to keep them... why not just take a picture and release? Putting them in a livewell does too and we only do that when in competition. We use chemical agents to calm fish in the livewell as well as antibiotics to help with the stress. I am not saying they all die, just that it is additional stress....

On Tournament Fishing, I know what you mean RR, but as much as local fishermen hate tournaments, local business do not. At times the crowds and such are a mess at boat ramps and fish kills from summer tournaments are not uncommon and unfortunate....

Peace.. just my opinions.........

 

"speeding"--not with my 4'x10' boat and a trolling motor! I move slowly--usually pitchin' a jig & 'pork'. My stringer has the clips spaced 6" apart to keep the bass from constantly rubbing against each other. I have caugth several bass more than once--didn't you read about the 6lb 1oz one I caught three different times--over a 2 month span?

I take a pic of any 3lbs or heavier when I catch them. I only handle the bass by the lower jaw--I never touch their 'bodies'--I know about rubbing the protective slime off--never do it if I plan to release them. I 'string' them for the effect of a large 'number' of bass in the final pic.

Hope you catch your limit at Okeechobee--and win the tournament. Try those Senkos--several finishers in many tournaments are using them. I think we would agree if we got to fish togeather .

Dan

ps: went to the same pond today--only caught 6--one 3lber.

 

I also love to bass fish, theres nothing like it. Me and my dad work the same shift, so we spend alot of time on the water down here in south louisiana. He bought a brand new Bullet 20xd bass boat with a Mercury 225 promax in February and we have been wearing it out ever since. Maaan what a boat!! It'll run mid 80's with a full load!! We mostly fish the marshes down here where you can catch bass, redfish, specks, flounder and whatever else in the same spot all on the same bait! We rarely come home empty handed. Well its nice to see some fellow fishermen in here.....


Dont catch'em all...
Nick