I'm Turnin' PRO! ( I think I need help first)

[Bob]

My brother in law gave me a fishing pole and a Pfluger reel (he knows someone). I asked my Mrs. to get me some line and some cheapo lures when she went to the flea market, and she did just that. I spooled the line as best I knew how, and I walked to the small lake out back behind my house....

I caught a fish! Then I caught another! I guess they were about a 1-1.5 lbs each. Yay for me!! 8-)

I used a rubber lure that sorta looked like a frog when it spun through the water, 25 lb. test, and a 6'6" Ugly Stick. When the fish hit, I thought I had snagged something the bottom, until I saw the flash in the water and the I heard the drag engage. I just had to laugh...I couldn't believe I actually caught a fish!

I don't know what kind of fish it was, but I think it was a bass! It's a good thing I'd seen some fishing shows on TV, otherwise I would have had a pretty hard time getting the hook out. Lucky for the fish, too-it went back into the lake alive, and it swam away.

(I was only kiddin' about turning pro... )

The fact of the matter is, I'm basically clueless when it comes to catching freshwater fish. The last time I caught a freshwater fish was probably about 35 years ago--probably the last time I went freshwater fishing. (not like I do a lot of saltwater fishing, either)

So anyway, I went out the next day. Couple bites, but I didn't catch anything.

Long story short, I've been back at the lake almost every day, several hours each day, and I haven't caught any fish. Sometimes not even a bite.

So I bought a new pole and some Rapala lures (Original Foating, X-rap, and a Husky Jerk--I've even learned how to tie a Rapala knot!), some Stren 10 lb. test line...back at it....

No fish...

I've gone in the morning, mid afternoon, early evening...

No fish...

I went to the library and took about a book on freshwater fishing. I've even read some if it! :

No fish!

I switched baits, I tried all 3 Rapalas, the first rubber lure I caught the fish with....

No fish!!

I can actually see fish...they're swimming near the shore. I don't think they're bass, though. They look like they have green-ish backs and there's some red in their tails...I've tried to get the lures as close to them as possible, but they're just not interested at all.

I feel like the fish are laughing at me--"here comes that knucklehead trying to catch us again! HAHAHAHA!!!"

I feel like my neighbors are laughing at me..."there goes that knucklehead trying to catch fish again...he's out there all the time, but he never catches any fish!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Well, not really, but you know what I mean...it's frustrating. I want to catch more fish!

So, like, what am I doing wrong? Why is it that it so easy the first day, and now, it's like impossible to catch a fish? I don't know anyone nearby who can show me, and I need help, and I'm hoping that you people can help me.

I'm looking at boats...I want to buy a house near a bigger lake so I can fish all day and night! I'm HOOKED!!

So please, help me catch another fish! And another!! (Please tell me, what am I doing wrong? What am I doing right?)

THEN maybe I can turn pro! ;D

[Gorgebassman]

Keep reading the posts on the forum and read all the articles you can ask lots of questions and someday you may be a pro good luck and WELCOME ABOARD!!!

[preemptive strike]

Have you tried going in the late evening, like when the sun goes down? I have learned that this is the best time for ctching bass. Good luck!

[Bob]

Have you tried going in the late evening, like when the sun goes down? I have learned that this is the best time for ctching bass. Good luck!

Not after dark, or before sun-up, but I'm going now! (6:46 PM dusk--later than when I caught the first couple of fish last week).

Can anyone clue me in as to what kind of fish those are that are swimming near the shore? They almost look like they're swimming near underwater nests of some sort. I guess about 12-14" long, maybe a couple of pounds....

Thanks for the replies!

[wvwask]

How big is the body of water?  What is the bottom like?

What color rapalas are you using?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Time, patience, trial and error.

If you'll notice something on each trip like you are describing, you are learning.  Stick with it.  This is the time of year called the "spawn".  This is what those nests are.  They could be bass or bluegill nests.

You'll have better luck bank fishing if you switch to soft plastics.  Go to the tackle section here and read a few of the threads under the "everything you need to know about senkos" sticky.

Also check out some of the beginner articles in the toolbar above.

Don't stoop asking questions, we'll be happy to answer as you go along.

GOOD LUCK!! (and of course, welcome aboard!)

[Bob]

I'm fishing in sandy bottom, man-made lakes in my development. The water is clear near the surface, but seems a little murky a few feet from shore. They're pretty small lakes, maybe about 3-10 acres. They're down pretty far now because of the drought (I'm in Florida)--I'm taking notes as to where all the drop-offs are and where it looks like there may be weed beds and such, so I'll know where they are when the water rises again.

One of my neighbors saw me fishing last night, and started talking about the fish that the lakes are stocked with--bluegills, crappie, bass, tilapia, and catfish. He told me to go to the "big" 10-acre lake--he said there's a ton of bass in it, and it's an older lake, so they're probably bigger than any that might be in the smaller lake behind our homes. I was pretty stoked about that, so I went to the big lake and fished from about 7-9PM--it was dark when I stopped.

No fish!

I remain undaunted!

The Rapalas are: Original Floating ( F05 G 'gold'), Husky Jerk (HJ08 BB no color, it just says "Baby Bass"), and an X-Rap XR08 G, which obviously is also gold. They're tied directly to the fishing line--no leader, sinker, or swivel. I removed the the tiny "key ring" they came with.

I think the "nests" are being patrolled by smallmouth bass, judging from some of the pictures I've seen online. I'm pretty sure that's what I caught, too. Do spawning bass tend to eat less, or at a particular time of day? Would those be males or females that I'm seeing around the nests? Does it make a difference?

[roadwarrior]

No, they are not smallmouth. There is a species ( http://myfwc.com/Fishing/Fishes/bass.html ), but it is specific to a river system in northern Florida, Southern Georgia. These bass would definitely NOT be in one of your ponds.

[IdahoLunkerHunter]

I would recommend throwing senko's and fat ikas. Texas rig these baits either shaky head or S.Carolina and drag them across the bottom. There takes some finesse when using this technique because you can hang up a lot on rocks, logs, stumps and anything covering the water floor. But by doing this, you can move into the territory of the beds and fish will not let anything come close to their beds. I use a two jerk sit method that means two little jerks and let it sit for about 5-10 seconds. Another good way for presenting these baits is to let them dance. When you are letting your lure pause, set your line tight and just jiggle the rod tip. This makes your plastics come alive under water and the technique takes some time to master but is great to know how to use. These methods are probably my favorite and they help land a lot of fish.

[Bob]

After reading http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_spawn.html , I switched over to a plastic bait and voila! I hooked a small fish, which promptly threw the hook. I walked around the lake to where I saw the spawning fish around it's nest(?), but it wouldn't take the bait. I went back to the first spot, dragged the plastic along the bottom, and hooked another small fish, which promptly swam away with my lure--the knot came out. (Note to self--learn how to tie a good knot). I hope it was able to spit the hook... :-[

After that, nothin'....

I'll be Bach!

[IdahoLunkerHunter]

I use the Palomar Knot on any terminal tackle. This knot is my favorite and I never get line slip. Spot fishing is a great way to catch fish but it is hard to do. Try throwing your lure into open ares where you 'think' there are fish. This will get you used to feeling for the strike instead of watching the fish bite. Once you get used to the feel, your technique will become much stronger.

[bassassinator]

Uh oh,

Sounds to me you have joined the rest of us hopeless addicts.  

You must either quit now or you can never turn back.

Welcome to the sport of Bassin!  8-)

[NEBassMan]

Yeee Haaawww!!  You're getting there man!  Just keep at it, learn everyday.  Try to learn the Palomar knot.  Guaranteed that you will not break off because of a bad knot.  Stick with those soft plastics, you'll be catchin in no time!

Jason

[Red]

Welcome!  keep reading there is tons of stuff to learn on here

Cliff

[eastkybass]

Welcome to the site this is a great place to learn and now you are stuck.  You will never get it out of your system now. ;D

[jomatty]

get some senkos and read the sticky.  rw also had a great post awhile back on senkos but i dont have a link.  maybe someone else does.

[Bob]

I caught 2 baby largemouths today, using a Texas rigged Senko on a barb-less#4 hook (listen to me! That almost sounds like I know what the hell I'm talking about! I don't!)

The first one swallowed the hook pretty good, and I didn't have any pliers with me (live and learn--I won't be without them again). I put the still-hooked fish back in the water, ran to my house and got some pliers, ran back, and unhooked the fish as carefully as I possibly could. It was so small, less than 1 lb. I guess, that it was hard to get the pliers in it's mouth, and the hook was also in some soft tissue, but I managed. I got the hook out, there didn't seem to be any bleeding, and I released the fish.

About 5 minutes later I saw the fish, floating belly up.

Dang. :-[

It was close enough to shore that I could reach it with my pole, so I poked it over, and it swam away. I didn't see it again, so I'm hoping that it revived. What's the chances of that?

A few minutes later I caught another one about the same size (same one, maybe?), only this was hooked through the lip. Easy catch and release.

So now I can tie a Palomar knot (thanks!) I know what a Texas rig is (thanks again!) and I sorta learned how not to release a fish. I'm still learning...I have a lot to learn (before I turn Pro, of course)

Incidentally, how long will they live out of water, and what's the best way to release them? Are those spiny fins dangerous? Should I wear them down before I land them, or try to land them as quickly as possible, and then have to deal with unhooking a very lively fish?

I guess it's good that I can practice on these little ones...for now.

[sal669]

Welcome !!!

You're "gut"-hooked on bassin' now ....

Wander when the Bait Monkey'll show up at your door ...

On the other hand you're progressing nicely !!!

Tight lines, Alex

[Tire_Man]

sal669 said it best. One thing you need to learn thats why they call it fishing and not catching. Keep at it and learn at least one thing every time you go. Good fishing!

[bassassinator]

"The first one swallowed the hook pretty good, and I didn't have any pliers with me (live and learn--I won't be without them again). I put the still-hooked fish back in the water, ran to my house and got some pliers, ran back, and unhooked the fish as carefully as I possibly could. It was so small, less than 1 lb. I guess, that it was hard to get the pliers in it's mouth, and the hook was also in some soft tissue, but I managed. I got the hook out, there didn't seem to be any bleeding, and I released the fish.  

About 5 minutes later I saw the fish, floating belly up. "

You are going to be good at this game!

Remember this....if you hook one too deep in the gut or anywhere there it will risk the life of the fish to remove the hook, it is sometimes(usually) best to just cut your line as close to the hook as you can and leave the hook in the fish. The hook will rust out soon. The fish may live or die but it has a better chance than if you rip the hook out and cause even further damage to his guts.

"Incidentally, how long will they live out of water, and what's the best way to release them? Are those spiny fins dangerous? Should I wear them down before I land them, or try to land them as quickly as possible, and then have to deal with unhooking a very lively fish?"

A bass will be ok out of water for a couple of minutes but it is not breathing just like if you were under water holding your breath, its kind of distressing and too long will kill you.

As far as the fight goes......... playing a fish is the best part of the catch and when I am going to relaease it right away, I feel it is ok to wear him out and get all the fight out of him you can but while fishing a tourney, it is best to get it in quickly because it will spend the rest of the day in the live well and that is pretty distressing on the fish. We want to keep those fish healthy so they will still be strong when we release the after the weigh in.

Those are my opinions. Maybe someone else will want to elaborate.

8-)

[bassassinator]

"Are those spiny fins dangerous?"

I forgot to elaborate on this.

The spines are not dangerous but it would hurt to get poked by one.

Always grab a bass by the lower lip while handling it. When you are holding it in this manner, it kind of puts the fish in "neutral". I dont know why but it will just hang there and let you do what you need to do.

If you are dealing with a real small one where you cant even get you thumb in the mouth, wrap you hand around the fish gently toward the head and slowly move it down. The fins will fold back and keep from hurting you while you do what ya gotta do.

[Bob]

Thanks....

I caught two more small ones today at the big lake, lip-hooked--so they were easy to release. I saw another guy fishing, and he told me that he saw someone catch a 10lb fish last week at that same lake--"Biggest freshwater fish I ever saw..." He said it was on a plastic worm, and the fish hit it almost as soon as it hit the water.

I'm going back later...mwahahahahahahaha!!!!

[Bob]

As reported here http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180835924 earlier, I caught my first big bass today.

Many thanks to all in this thread--couldn't have done it without ya!

I've just joined B.A.S.S. Go figger!  ;D