useless partners, sunken rods, lost fish, and big x-raps

[bass wrangler569]

Whats up guys, I haven't been on the forum for a while, I've been busy. But anyway...

I fished the annual Leukemia benefit tournament on the river today. I had fun and I caught nice fish. Everybody was throwing spinnerbaits, so I switched it up and threw jerkbaits all day. I got a few keepers on slender pointers in the morning, but in the afternoon I switched to big XR12 x-raps and the big smallmouth destroyed 'em. I lost one smallmouth at the boat that was over 4lbs andI had four solid keepers in the 3lb range, but I couldn't cull my smaller fish. We (it was a team tournament, but my partner didn't boat a fish all day LOL) fishished 14th out of 70 boats with 14.31lbs. If I would have landed that bass that I lost at the boat we would have finished 2nd and taken home $750, but, oh well, things happen. :'(

Oh, and I lost a quantum tour rod and reel over the side of the boat... today was expensive

[endless]

man that sucks bout the rod and reel. sorry to hear that and your partner couldnt land ONE?? i guess you went solo!! next time make him your camera man lol. thats what i tell my brother. sorry to hear bout the 4 pounder too. at least on the good side it was a charity event so it had a caused. win or lose your doing some good!

[DINK WHISPERER]

Don't feel bad bro! I lost a $500 BlackBerry phone in the water before!

[Simp]

Don't feel bad bro! I lost a $500 BlackBerry phone in the water before!

My friend lost his in a minnow bucket once! ;D ;D

[Simp]

BTW bass wrangler569 I can tell you from experience it can be tough being the co angler. I'd say if you feel he's struggling get him on the same pattern as you but maybe with a smaller bait. I often find success with a smaller bait fishing behind my Pops. The old man is not a big fan of being in the back of the boat and since I grew up fishing that way it doesn't bother me all that much. There are days when I get flat whacked simply because he gets first dibs on everything. Then there are days I figure out what they want and he hasn't. Only for him to realize I'm whacking him and so he checks what lure I have on and copies it LOL. Some partner huh! ;D So just remember it's not always easy being in the back of the boat.

[Grey Wolf]

Useless partner . Did you have the balls to tell him that to his face ?

[bass wrangler569]

So just remember it's not always easy being in the back of the boat.

I was in the back of the boat LOL! He was the boater. I think he was just having a bad day though, he usually doesn't do too bad. And endless, your right, it was a charity event which is really cool, plus my club raised over $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which is great. So I guess I can't complain too much, I had fun and it went to a good cause which is the most important thing.

[bass wrangler569]

Useless partner . Did you have the balls to tell him that to his face ?

He's my friend, we joked about it. He was only useless today, believe me, there have been days that I've been useless and he lets me know it too And he did have us around fish all day, so that was helpful.  

[Grey Wolf]

Useless partner . Did you have the balls to tell him that to his face ?

He's my friend, we joked about it. He was only useless today, believe me, there have been days that I've been useless and he lets me know it too And he did have us around fish all day, so that was helpful.

It's good to have a buddy like that.

[fireant21]

tough loss on the rod. I can definitely relate.

Bought a new $350 spinning rig last year. First day out caught several nice fish. We were fishing tidal water, so I was being watchful of how the boat was moving. I hooked up with a decent fish and got him in the boat fairly quickly. Next thing I know I am headed for the oyster bar.

I quickly tossed the fish back in and stomped ont he trolling motor. One problem, fish was still hooked.  My rod was laying half over the gunnel and with his weight and my pitching of him in the water was forceful enough to drag the new rod and reel rig into the drink. Spent almost and hour dragging the bottom with a weighted treble hook to no avail. Man it was hard to leave that rig there. :'(

[looking4structure]

That sucks about your Quantum.I lost a Samsung Blackjack once.

[Tin]

Nice job given all the issues..

But check your hooks or rod choice. There is no reason to loose smallies on those big hard jerkbaits. I just started using one gaint treble in the front on mine and use it like I'm bluefishing. MH rod and 17 pound line and rip them in the boat. Hoist-n-Hawgs saw my salt water approach to smallies on the jerkbait. ;D  I think I might loose one out of every 12-14 fish. My best ratio so far. The bigger ones usually wont go anywhere because you can get 2 of the big hooks in them instead of one.

The good thing about them is how hard the inside of their mouth is compared to largies. You put that big wire through and they won't go anywhere. Bring extra trebles though.