My first big Bass

[david in va]

  Mods I hope I have this in the right place

  Back in the early 60s maybe 60 or 61, Dad bought me my first new reel. It was a Zebco 22. WE went fishing that Sunday evening. Dad and his cousin were fishing for big mouths, I had a ball of worms on the 22 fishing round the bank for Brim. A big Bass grabed the hook and took off , the drag was squealing. Dad was there in ammeter of seconds. Of course I wanted him to take the reel as I had no idea I would be able to get it to the bank. I was a pole fisherman until that day.

  After what felt like hours I got him to the edge and Dad grabbed him in the mouth. Man was I proud, we went to the Store in Saxe about 2 miles from the pond I got it, and Dad sent me in the store with it to get it weighted. We had it wrapped in a guano sack [ old burlap fertilizer bag ]. The river and creeks were  up cause it had come a fresh the day before and folks were gigging Carp. I gave the sack to Mr. Crews to weigh and he put it on the same scales that he  weighed  cheese and bologna with. the store was full but no one paid any attention. Mr Crews said it weighed 4lbs 15 ounces. When he handed it back to me , it slipped out the sack into the floor. Mr. Crews said dam that is a Bass. Boy they all came around then and wanted to know where I caught it. Of course Dad was in the store by then and took over before I told them.   

  That has been a lifetime ago and I still get excited when I thank about it. I would give anything to be able to fish with Dad again

 Oh it bought burnt that little 22 up

 David

[NorthwestBasser]

3 hours ago, david in va said:

  Mods I hope I have this in the right place

  Back in the early 60s maybe 60 or 61, Dad bought me my first new reel. It was a Zebco 22. WE went fishing that Sunday evening. Dad and his cousin were fishing for big mouths, I had a ball of worms on the 22 fishing round the bank for Brim. A big Bass grabed the hook and took off , the drag was squealing. Dad was there in ammeter of seconds. Of course I wanted him to take the reel as I had no idea I would be able to get it to the bank. I was a pole fisherman until that day.

  After what felt like hours I got him to the edge and Dad grabbed him in the mouth. Man was I proud, we went to the Store in Saxe about 2 miles from the pond I got it, and Dad sent me in the store with it to get it weighted. We had it wrapped in a guano sack [ old burlap fertilizer bag ]. The river and creeks were  up cause it had come a fresh the day before and folks were gigging Carp. I gave the sack to Mr. Crews to weigh and he put it on the same scales that he  weighed  cheese and bologna with. the store was full but no one paid any attention. Mr Crews said it weighed 4lbs 15 ounces. When he handed it back to me , it slipped out the sack into the floor. Mr. Crews said dam that is a Bass. Boy they all came around then and wanted to know where I caught it. Of course Dad was in the store by then and took over before I told them.   

  That has been a lifetime ago and I still get excited when I thank about it. I would give anything to be able to fish with Dad again

 Oh it bought burnt that little 22 up

 David

Got a tear in my eye! Nothing better than fishing with the old man! Except for fishing with both Dad and Grandpa. And the only thing that tops that is taking my kiddo fishing!! Great post sir, best one I've read in a while!

[Turkey sandwich]

There's something special about fishing with family.  I disagree with my dad and brother about a lot of things, but a love for the outdoors is one of few things that brings us together.  I try to get my dad on the water a few times a year (he's 71 and struggles to spend hours on the boat, especially if I can't put him on fish quickly), and I try to get up with my brother for stripers at least a few times a year (at least until I feel compelled to throw him in the Chesapeake).  Joking aside, the biggest gift I've ever gotten from my dad was a passion for the outdoors, and I try to pay it back any time I can. 

[lonnie g]

On 3/2/2017 at 9:09 PM, david in va said:

  Mods I hope I have this in the right place

  Back in the early 60s maybe 60 or 61, Dad bought me my first new reel. It was a Zebco 22. WE went fishing that Sunday evening. Dad and his cousin were fishing for big mouths, I had a ball of worms on the 22 fishing round the bank for Brim. A big Bass grabed the hook and took off , the drag was squealing. Dad was there in ammeter of seconds. Of course I wanted him to take the reel as I had no idea I would be able to get it to the bank. I was a pole fisherman until that day.

  After what felt like hours I got him to the edge and Dad grabbed him in the mouth. Man was I proud, we went to the Store in Saxe about 2 miles from the pond I got it, and Dad sent me in the store with it to get it weighted. We had it wrapped in a guano sack [ old burlap fertilizer bag ]. The river and creeks were  up cause it had come a fresh the day before and folks were gigging Carp. I gave the sack to Mr. Crews to weigh and he put it on the same scales that he  weighed  cheese and bologna with. the store was full but no one paid any attention. Mr Crews said it weighed 4lbs 15 ounces. When he handed it back to me , it slipped out the sack into the floor. Mr. Crews said dam that is a Bass. Boy they all came around then and wanted to know where I caught it. Of course Dad was in the store by then and took over before I told them.   

  That has been a lifetime ago and I still get excited when I thank about it. I would give anything to be able to fish with Dad again

 Oh it bought burnt that little 22 up

 David

Nice story brings back fond memories for me?

[paul.]

great story for sure.  there is just something about that moment when you wonder whether you're gonna catch the fish or it's gonna wreck your stuff that always keeps you coming back for more.  never gets old.  and with dad to boot.  icing on the cake right there.