My very first bass! Let’s Review

[Sharkicane]

Hello All,

 

So I’m brand new to bass fishing, there is a big pond at the front of a buddies sub division that I have been trying. I woke up early and got out there at first light a few hours before work. 

 

The weather is cool, lots of overcast about 70 degrees, and very windy. I have no tackle or gear yet(for freshwater) so I’ve been borrowing a friends for now. The water was stained I think is the right term. So I picked the brightest crankbait I could find(it was a little square bill) I was using a top water frog a few days ago until I realized there were no lily pads. 

 

I had no idea how to really use a cranking bait. First my rod tip was up then it was down, I really had no clue how to properly work the bait. In any case I managed to fumble around long enough to get a sense of If I kept my rod up and reeled at the right speed I could feel a wobble or vibration from the bait doing it’s thing.

 

Thats when it happened. Caught my very first bass.

 

 

After that I caught a few more but for some reason I didn’t hook them well enough to get them out. Every time I got them to the bank and got them out of the water they would break off with that initial thrash. Not sure how to correct that just yet.

 

P.S. - I also caught the ever elusive, extremely rare...rock fish! See picture below. 

 

 

 

 

[A-Jay]

Congrats on your fish bass ~

You're well on your way

A-Jay

[Darren.]

[SDoolittle]

Congrats on your first bass! Surely, there will be many more to follow.

 

By the way, I caught one of those elusive rock fish last weekend. I've actually become quite proficient at rock fishing. Yours looks like a little male rock. If you want to catch the big female rocks, I suggest changing your hooks to Mustad Triple Grips. I get much better hook ups on rocks with them.

[AggieBassin10]

Great job!

[frosty]

Congratulations! I’ve been bass fishing with artificials exclusively for a few years and I’ve only caught one on any kind of Crankbait so you’re doing good!

[FishDewd]

Hey, good job! It took me a year to catch a fish with a crankbait, and it wasn't even a bass, but a catfish! Those rock fish are pretty tasty... thing is, they are very tough and you have to boil them for a very long time with lots of herbs and seasonings. Might wanna toss in some onions and lemons to get that earthy taste out.

 

As far as hook-ups, if this is an old lure it could well be dull hooks, so make sure they dig into your fingernail when scrapped across at a slight angle. Just don't stab your finger tip in the process! They should at least scratch your nail if not dig in. If they don't, you definitely get a hook change unless you can sharpen them. Most OEM hooks that come with the lure aren't very good when new anyway. A part from that, could be the hook set. Should be more of a sweep at waist height as opposed to a jarring upswing. Anyway, keep at it! You cleared the first hurdle!

[LCG]

Congratulations. It's a great hobby that has an unlimited learning curve. 

 

Try keeping the rod bent and use a net to land the fish. Hopefully it helps you. 

 

Take care and good luck. 

[Gundog]

Bravo.... Keep enjoying your new hobby/addiction. 

[Sharkicane]

10 hours ago, Gundog said:

Bravo.... Keep enjoying your new hobby/addiction. 

I’m afraid addiction might be the appropriate term lol. I just can’t seem to get enough. I’m listening to podcasts, watching videos, reading articles. Doing everything I can to learn during times I can’t be actually on the water. It’s all just so cool to me. 

[senile1]

Congratulations on your first of many bass, I am sure.  

[Chowderhead]

Outstanding -- congrats!

[MIbassyaker]

Congrats! I caught my first bass almost 30 years ago and still remember it vividly.

[soflabasser]

Congratulations on your first bass.

[Bankbeater]

Congratulations on catching your first.

[BuildingBirdsNests]

Awesome work!

 

Whatever lure you tie on fish it like it's The One! and chances are you'll make it work.  And don't be afraid to try different techniques till you find yours.