First largemouth

[CharlieTN]

Caught my first largemouth today off of a dock in roughly 8’ of water.  Watts Bar Lake here in TN is still at winter levels but I had some time to kill while visiting with a member of my church who lives on the lake.  

 

Mainly I wanted to play with a new to me Baitcaster (Abu Garcia Black Max3 with 12lb mono) and some lures I had picked up.  Started with a red/craw pattern lipless crankbait, then went to a square bill in the same color.  Next was a white spinner.  Finally I tied on a jig rig with the Pit Boss in green pumpkin with purple flake.  On about the third cast I thought I felt a couple of bumps but wasn’t sure if it was rocks or what.  Cast back out to the same area and again felt the bumps so I paused for a moment.  As soon as I paused my slow retrieve the line headed to my left so I set the hook.  I was super excited.  My first largemouth bass.  Hope to catch many more.  

 

I’m not sure on the weight but figured maybe 1-1 1/2 lbs or so.  

[Russ E]

One of many to come. Welcome to the addiction Known as bass fishing.

Next step is to spend outrageous amounts of money on baits and equipment.?

[A-Jay]

Way to go @CharlieTN ~

Nice Bass.

Congrats

A-Jay

[Darren.]

Oh yeah. Nice for a first bass. Many more to come, mate!

[Dwight Hottle]

Most guys take a while before they catch there first jig fish and you did it first fish ever. Congrats. 

[Ppennin986]

You are now hooked for life 

[Koz]

There are only two things in life more addictive than bass fishing - crack and Oreos. I've never had the first one, but I do like my Oreos and my bass fishing.

[EGbassing]

Congrats! Nice fish.

[N Florida Mike]

7 hours ago, Koz said:

There are only two things in life more addictive than bass fishing - crack and Oreos. I've never had the first one, but I do like my Oreos and my bass fishing.

And bacon.

Good job charlie ! 

[CharlieTN]

Thanks everyone.  I honestly didn’t expect to catch anything and was more playing than anything.  There are dead shad everywhere along the banks so i know that all the fish have been gorging themselves.  

 

I have been reading a lot and watching tones of videos so I expected the bight to be subtle and it certainly was.  I would have sworn it was just bumping into some rocks.  

 

On a side note, I really like the action of the jig rig (or Jika Rig).  

This is the rig I was fishing.  4/0 EWG with a 3/8oz finesse sinker rigged as a jig Rig (Jika Rig).  

[lonnie g]

nice! the first fish always exciting, every single year. have a great year show us some bigguns!!!?

[Zurg]

11 hours ago, Russ E said:

One of many to come. Welcome to the addiction Known as bass fishing.

Next step is to spend outrageous amounts of money on baits and equipment.?

A truer statement has never been made:) lol

[TnRiver46]

Congrats! I love watts bar. I got a big walleye there Sunday

[CharlieTN]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Congrats! I love watts bar. I got a big walleye there Sunday

It does seem like a pretty good lake.  I’ve been catfishing from my pontoon last summer and plan to do that a bunch more this year but I dont’ venture very far since the motor is a 1973 Johnson.  Hoping to put a trolling motor on the boat this year and then I’ll be able to target bass, crappie, and such a whole lot more.  

[TnRiver46]

'73 Johnson is beyond reliable! And you can fix it with vice grips instead of a laptop 

[Log Catcher]

Way to go on that first bass. Now the bait monkey is coming for you.

[CharlieTN]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

'73 Johnson is beyond reliable! And you can fix it with vice grips instead of a laptop 

Oh yeah, I love the simplicity.  I had to reattach the starter out on the lake one time and first summer I had it I had to jump it off of the solenoid.  I’ll run her till she falls apart and duct tape won’t hold her together.  

47 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

Way to go on that first bass. Now the bait monkey is coming for you.

The bait monkey already has me.  Went back today and bought two more packs of the Pit Boss in the green pumpkin/purple flake.  It is my one and only confidence bait.  LOL

[Bankbeater]

Congratulations on the first bass!  There will be many more to come.

[CharlieTN]

8 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

Congratulations on the first bass!  There will be many more to come.

Thanks.  I’m certainly hoping so.  

[Derek1]

Congrats, I’m happy for you. Also very sad for what’s gonna happen to your wallet this summer. 

[CharlieTN]

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

Congrats, I’m happy for you. Also very sad for what’s gonna happen to your wallet this summer. 

Shhhh, don’t tell my wife.  She gave me that look when I explained why I needed 6 heavy catfish rods.  Now I’m talking Baitcasters, lures, line, etc.  

[Derek1]

Never mind rod and reels. Wait till you go to the store with $100 to spend thinking this is a good day and you get to the register look in the basket you thaught you needed and there’s only  4/5 baits in it. Collecting gear and tackle is it’s own sport/hobby. For me anyway. 

[Mccallister25]

Congrats brother! Welcome to the addiction ?