JustJames

You don't need no d**n scale, you need this.

This ^^^^ You don't upload from any host image website just copy and paste the link start from "Https://" no CODE no TAG on that link, (some website use code "IMG" instead of "URL" remove all those.)

Do you think it is bigger than this one? I estimated mine around 4lb ish.

Congrat on your first and it will not be your last. Many more are coming.

3-4lbs

Skunked? More than I would like to share but I forget all about that the next time I catch fish.

I think I'm worser than you, I made my fishing buddy jumped up and down until we came back home. My scale stuck at Oz mode and he caught a nice fish weight to be 69Oz he thought he caught PB at 6.9 lb. He seemed disappointed after I told him.

My new way of bass fishing. Make myself ready to jump after that DD bass.

Yup it happens quite often lately a few times a week for the past month. I work night so I often visit the site to keep me awake without BR I feel lost LOL.

Now we all know, who are old. LOL Not me not in a million years. I'm still kicking.

Don't worry you will catch many more. Your new PB is coming soon. I see the future LOL.

@MichaelCopelandI totally agree with blue and yeajray here. Your fish is not even close to 4 lbs. I know because the past week I caught a lot in 3.5-4lbs range. I think 5 or may be close to 6 lbs. Congrat let call this fish your PB at 5.5lbs shall we?

Yeah fish off hour would be good, start really early or late at night.

Congrat man.

I would like to have more rods AND reels.

Gotta be tip top guide, or when the line flying out some how it got snag on hook keeper. It happened to me once, at first I thought it combination of light line and heavy lure but a month later I found my tip top guide was in bad shape.

I would start with too water for a little if no bite I'll pop wacky rig Senko at the same spot. Another reason I change a lot of top water treble to single hook. I found (in my lake) right after sunset, a lot of commotion lure work good but late at night something that can swim slowly with subtle commotion work best.

Are you looking for longer handle or bigger knob. I was in the same situation not too long ago. As far as I know the longest handle from Shimano that will fit curado 70 without any modification or other parts needed is Metanium XG handle 96 mm (curado 84mm). Another option is to get third party handle like carbon fiber one to save some weight and get Shimano knob. Third party you have to make sure to get 7x4 mm center hole. As of now I have third party (90mm) that I ordered for my scorpion 70 on my curado 71(lefty) but will soon replace with Metanium XG handle. I need longer handle and bigger knob to be able to reel in fish more comfortably when using this only lefty one I have.

Bass time is always better than TV time. Like @WRBmentioned why only top water, not an easy thing to handle at night and those trebles hooks. Last night I came home from work at 11:30PM, went to kiss my wife and told her be right back in a jiffy. Came home an hour later with 3 keepers bass caught all on wacky Senko until that Senko got cut in half. Tonight I prepared a whole bag of Senko, Magnum Fluke, pitboss, missile bait D stroyer and big spinner bait hahaha.

Thanks guys for all the input, now the boat is safe and sound in the water and will be there until the end of summer.

First invest in some type of phone with Camera then invest some more with digital scale. The cheapest should work at least.

Congrat and go catch some more.

No but my friend's daughter caught a few bass here when catfish fishing with cutbait.

Trout worm with split shot on light spinning outfit.

It took me at least 3-4 years to catch my first bass. Just like you I was confused with all the lures on markets, bought quite a lot and none really give me any result. The only thing I found to work then was to downsize my lure and slow way down. Also time of day is important for us Bankbeater. I don't know where you live but here in CA, I fish late morning in winter, and early morning or late afternoon in spring and summer. I think fish don't really school up in shallow unless there are type of cover like tree, stump, rock etc. so fast moving lure, you would have to be there at the right time and right place. I recommend you try other technique like Texas rig, dropshot and Senko. Slow down, cast in out don't have to be too far out and try to work it back slowlyyyyyy. Start early morning or find any shade area in the afternoon. Look for any activity on surface near shoreline when bass hunting bait fish early morning or before sundown.