New Goal, Better Attitude

[roadwarrior]

Yesterday morning I saw Big O's post on his latest outing. Great fish and

beautiful pic! I decided to copy his MO and rigged up my new GMAN Big O

jigs with the Rage Tail Craw, Falcon color. Jumped in the truck and headed

to Collierville, a public pond that has not been too productive for me.

I fished for an hour without a single bite, but persistence paid off. Tap-tap,

FISH ON! The pond was originally a gravel pit. The edges have been

filled in, out about 15-20 yards, so nobody drowns. Baitfish and predators

generally troll the ledge where shallow meets deep water. This makes fishing

difficult.

The bass was on the ledge, a long cast out. This made the fight long and

exciting. This was the biggest bass I had ever caught on the pond and my

best fish this year, period!

I looked at my prize and a conversation I had with Big O came to mind.

My fish wasn't half the size of the one you see in his post, but it was

huge for the water I fish. He told me this a few weeks ago, "Wherever I

am fishing, I target the biggest fish that lives in that lake". Hmm...

If you don't live in one of the Big Four states, double digits are rare

and it's unlikely you're going to land any the size Big O catches on a

regular basis. On the other hand, catching a lake record might be just

as challenging.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to catch some of those Texas monsters,

but for the rest of us, maybe we should have more appreciation for the

"big" bass we have a legitimate chance of catching.

I really appreciate Big O's insight. It's something I will always remember.

[matstone7]

Wonderful read RW, congrats on the catch!

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Are you a big O jig pro staffer?

[Bassn Blvd]

Are you a big O jig pro staffer?

Haha, good one ! If he draws your name for the Xmas exchange maybe you'll find out.

[Bassn Blvd]

Nice story, RW. I have some good advice for you too. Move to FLORIDA

[matstone7]

Are you a big O jig pro staffer?

Haha, good one ! If he draws your name for the Xmas exchange maybe you'll find out.

Yea, when he gets a lump of coal for asking, lol.

[flippin and pitchin]

Kent that was well written. My fishing partner and I went on a three day in October.

The first day was pretty darn good. Decent weather and the catching was good. Day two

weather was terrible. Hard to contol the boat, lost fish, lost crankbaits, wet and

cold and down right tough. I was happy to get a couple of three and half pound smallies.

He became rather sour and was not pleasant to be in the boat

with. Day three, didn't even launch. Went home early, still sour. He called me the next

night and said he was sorry for having such a crappy attitude. He vowed he wouldn't do

that again. I told him I understood and if the situation became so out of line, I would

be honest and tell him as a friend. Attitude, what ever it is can really set the tone

for your trip regardless if you share it or are alone. A really good lunch also helps.

[Goose52]

............If you don't live in one of the Big Four states, double digits are rare

and it's unlikely you're going to land any the size Big O catches on a

regular basis. On the other hand, catching a lake record might be just

as challenging.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to catch some of those Texas monsters,

but for the rest of us, maybe we should have more appreciation for the

"big" bass we have a legitimate chance of catching........

Great story RW!

On the quoted passage - that is right on! When I read folks fishing reports, I often look up their state record to see where their catch stands in their area. There's nothing magic for me about that 10-pound number. It's the rarity of the catch for the area being fished. For instance, one of our board members in Wisconsin recently reported catching a new PB LMB of a bit over 8 pounds. I think lots of folks blew right past his post in the Fishing Reports forum...BUT - his 8 pound fish was about 74% of the Wisconsin state record. That's like someone in California catching a 16 pounder. Some hard-fishing folks outside of the "Big Four" states often don't get the recognition they deserve for catching bass that, while under 10 pounds, represent outstanding catches for which they should be very proud.

[MrsTomustang]

Was it the persistant patience or the coffee, warrior?

Great to hear you got a lunker!

[scrutch]

I totally agree RW. Attitude makes the difference. It HAS TO for me. I'm not nearly the accomplished fisherman that many BR members are...yet. If my attitude was sour, I'd have quit long ago.

Nobody that I've ever met has ever been as helpful as Big O. I really hope I can get some boat time with him at the next Roadtrip.

This thread has made me feel a little "puffed up" about my PB Indiana LM at 6lbs 8oz. Thanks guys!

[Dwight Hottle]

Nicely done.

[mr.mallard]

i havent had much lake on that lake since june and july.caught em patrolling the edges of bream beds

Has the grass died back?

Might have to make a trip out there.

I dont know if you fly fish,

but its always good to have a flyrod with you there.

topwater poppers on the weededge in the summer were good to me as far as numbers but poor for size.

clouser minnows in front of all the inflow pipes were decent

by far the best were elaztech flaoting worms in watermelon on a light weight c rig. kept it above the grass. short drags. long pauses. good size but the size cut off at 5. only one over 5.

never can get much on moving type baits there,