First bass ever on a jitterbug

[Micro]

I've been fishing since 1972, possibly earlier, but that's when the pictures start. I've owned jitterbugs for almost all of the time between 1972 and today. And honestly, I cannot remember ever catching a fish on a jitterbug. I've fished them a lot and a fish seemed to ignore them.

I went out this evening to fish some topwater. I caught a few fish on some OSP BuzzNCranks and Jackall Cherry 0 Footers. Then I decided to try a black jitterbug. Threw it on my 6'6" m/mh and Daiwa Sol. I was retreiving it very slowly and wasn't much paying attention. Then there was a boil and I stopped. I started again then WHAM.

I got the fish to the dock and realized the fish had swallowed the bait. So I couldn't lift him to the deck. I let out some line and guided my rod tip over the high pilings (the water is 8 feet low). Got him to the boat ramp and lifted him out by the lip. Walked to my bag to get my pliers and realized I didn't have them. The bait was all the way down to his gullet. Luckily only the front hook was in his tongue and I was able to work it out with my finger. The rear hook wasn't hooked.

I spent about 10 mintues with that fish at the water's edge pushing and pulling him back and forth. Finally, he swam off.

I think he weight about 3.5. Best fish of the night (and all week).

So, I got my first bass on a jitterbug, and nearly killed him doing it.

[endless]

Talk about a nice first fish on the bug. Glad you got to save the fish. I wouldn't of known what to do. I need to pick me a jitterbug up, I haven't done it yet. I've been wanting to do some night fishing.