First Summer of Bass Fishing

[StephenM]

First year I have been serious in bass fishing, always just dabbled in it. Purchased a 94' Nitro 170 TF and have been loving almost every minute of it, unless I get skunked. But summer has been interesting. Few weeks ago me and my father n law (FNL) went to a new ox bow lake I found near my house fed from the mighty Mississippi. Water temp was 85-87ish. Went down to a nice shady bank with some lay down and brush for cover. Thew t-rigged plastics at least for an hour or so and nothing, they have been my go to all spring and early summer. Came across a part of the bank with literally no cover, just wide open nothing-ness in about 2 foot of water. FNL throws a lizard way up shallow and reals in a 4lb fish. I couldn't believe that fish was up there, had a slightly bloody tail that was healing. We keep going and he catches another bass. Bloody tail again, smelled the mouth and said they were probably chasing shad up shallow. So I tie on a electric shad color ketiech and int he first few casts I catch a 1-2 pounder. End up catching several more all with bloody tails. Went back the next morning and ran the same pattern and NOTHING. Was so surprised, only fish I could find was little dinks tucked up on timber lay downs. But I did catch several drums which put up a good fight.

 

Now this past weekend took the family camping, I pulled the camper and the wife pulled the boat. There are two lakes at the campground with the smaller one known for having large Floridia strain bass in it. Lot of local tournaments run here. So I get up early Saturday go out by myself and start fishing shallow and about 50 yards down from me there is a large splash. Thought that was interesting, work my way down there and its another shallow bank with nothing in it, no cover no nothing. I run a square bill across the bottom and about the 5th cast I get a bite, get the fish to the boat and it looks to be a 5lb bass or so, definitely would have been a new PB for me. Wont stop heading shaking, jumps out of the water at the boat and head shakes and throws my crank bait out. I was speechless lol, unfortunately I couldn't hardly put the crankbait down after that. Didn't get another bite but I left early due to rain. Went back the next morning and had several more boats there. Not a single bite, didn't see anyone else catching anything either so I didn't feel too bad. I did idle around deeper water and play with the sonar, trying to learn about offshore fishing. Took the kids bluegill fishing later and they had a great time. RIP crickets.

 

Summer may be tough but it certainly is interesting! Great learning trips for sure.

[TnRiver46]

Cool deal, keep after em!!!

[Jaderose]

This is ALL experience.  All things your brain is filing away to be used on a different day, different lakes, different conditions.  You'll learn as much from those periods of nothing as you will when you are hammering them.  Learn, enjoy and realize that whether it's your first or 50th summer of fishing, you will always be learning and gaining experience.  Welcome to the addiction.

 

[txchaser]

On 8/4/2020 at 3:14 PM, StephenM said:

smelled the mouth and said they were probably chasing shad up shallow.

[StephenM]

8 hours ago, txchaser said:

Lol that meme, he thought he smelled shad in the bass’ mouth/throat. Some people can smell like crawfish or shad and tell what they are eating.