Dockhead Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 So how's this for making a short story long... Had a tournament on John's Lake in Central Florida, I've been there twice I believe and wasn't going to be able to pre-fish. Didn't do well either time I was there before. So I sent out a feeler to Fishindaddy, hoping to get some idea of what I should do. Historically, I have not done well with "other people's fish." Someone tells me a spot, exactly how they caught them, and I spend way too much time trying to basically force feed some fish. Never works out, so I avoid it. But, having said that, it's nice to have an idea of productive areas, so when Fishindaddy gave me a list of spots to try I was thinking that is just what I need, some focus. I actually went to a spot that I thought would have schoolers first thing, but the wind was howling at 15-20 right from the get-go. No action on top. So went to the nearest spot that fishindaddy mentioned, and there's a boat there. Go around the corner, another boat just got there. Went for a ride, decided to go to the other end of the lake (it's around 2500 acres) and work our way back. Saw boats on several spots fishindaddy mentioned, so we just sat down in an empty spot and started pitchin. Caught a keeper, then nothing for an hour. Rode back up a ways, same boats were on the same spots. Only place fishindaddy told me about that did not have a boat parked on it was some open water grass beds. And they look great. But there are no boats on them because the wind is now blowing even harder. We try to fish them a bit, but decide we need to get out of the wind just a tad. Went to the closest point, where we still had wind but it was partially blocked. Got a 2lb. fish right away, then two more keepers in the next 30 minutes. We work it hard, but the area is small, and the cove nearby proves to be unproductive. We need one more fish to finish our limit, as well as needing to upgrade, so we decide to try and battle the wind on the open water grass areas. We do that as long as we can stand it, but never get a bite. We run up to a somewhat protected shoreline and fish some docks, no bites. It's 12:30, weigh-in is at 3. I take a look at fishindaddy's list. He gave me one spot that said "huge flat, tons of fish." Other spots he mentioned sizes of fish he caught there (and they were BIG), so seems like when he says "tons of fish" he's most likely talking about 1-2 lb. fish, just a bunch of keepers. At this point I'm thinking, "we need a keeper." Also, looking at the map, the cove appears to be protected from the wind on one side. So we head over, starting at the point that is similar to the one where we had caught three fish earlier. We pull up, no one around. Start fishing a fantastic looking stump, sticking way out of the water, grass emergent on both sides. There has to be one there. I make 10-12 casts around this thing, nothing. So I let the boat drift a little bit, thinking about what I'm going to throw to get a 12 inch fish in the livewell so we can at least have a limit. I pitch to the edge of a grass bed, work the worm half way back, then a pretty good thump transmits its way up my line. It's pretty close to the boat, and I get a glimpse of it as soon as I set on her. Whoah, it's a big one. My dad is my partner, and he's 76. If I can land a fish myself I like to, so he doesn't have to worry about jumping up, running to the front and grabbing the net. Well, right away I said something to the effect of "Oh my, I think this may indeed be a high quality largemouth bass." Or something like that... Before I know it my dad is right next to me with the net, still can't believe how quick he got up to the front. I don't know exactly what I said to be honest, but it must have sounded much different than anything I normally say, because he knew it was urgent! The fish was almost immediately at the side of the boat, coming close, and fighting, but not violently. I think at that point I said "get ready," or "she's right there," or something like that. But as the words are coming out of my mouth I realize that this fish is green in more than just color, she ain't comin' aboard that easy. And then -I swear this is true- I feel some sort of calmness come over me. I just relaxed completely, or at least quite a bit, and held the rod, bowing to the fish as she surged under the boat, holding her just enough to keep her from getting to the trolling motor. I realized there was only so much I could do, and I did that, and just let the moment happen. She came out from under the boat, settled a bit, and I pulled up on the rod. Dad netted her as she thrashed one more time at the surface, and the fact that he was there to get her for me was the best part to be honest. She's not a giant by Florida standards, but she's my biggest to date (just couldn't get over the 8lb. barrier before for some reason). 8.9 pounds, and she had me at "thump." Oh ya, after going Ike for about 2 minutes when she was in the boat, I said to my dad "I don't even care if we win, that was awesome." However, the fact that we won the tournament (and Big Bass) was a nice touch. Thanks for reading. Matt Quote
bwell Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Thats awesome! Congrats on the big bass and tourney! Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted October 21, 2011 Super User Posted October 21, 2011 Great story. Congrats to both you & your dad. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 21, 2011 Super User Posted October 21, 2011 Congratulations ~ ! That's a fantastic photo & a Great Story, one that I enjoyed reading, thanks. Nice job on keeping your head with such a Monster Bass on, and in a tournament no less. A-Jay Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted October 21, 2011 Super User Posted October 21, 2011 Awesome read for sure and to have a moment like that with your dad there was a really special momet for you both. Congrats on your day, PB and a special outing with your dad! Fishindaddy, that was a very kind thing you did to share your spots with a fellow member. That was very cool of you to do! Quote
Shane Procell Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Thats a awesome bass...and to do it with your father...incredible! Quote
GLADES Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 What a wonderful thing to experience with your team mate and dad. A great story, my adrenaline got going just reading it. Congrats to you for winning the tournament. Beautiful looking bass. Quote
Big-O Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 Wow Terrific Fish, Story and Day with your Father!!! WTG You two and congratulations to you both... Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
shimmy Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 Great story and fish. Really enjoyed the read. This is just one of the many things keeping me comin back to this site. Thanks for sharing. Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted October 23, 2011 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted October 23, 2011 I should start selling those spots, that's two money finishes in a month on my spots... Congrat's for sure especially with your dad as part of that day. I am glad you had a great day! 1 Quote
1234567 Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Excellent story and fish! FishinDaddy you seem like a real class act! You've obviously put time in on the water. Quote
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