My first 17 summers were spent at a cabin on Balsam Lake, WI.  I learned a little about bass fishing, mostly stuff my brother, best friend and I figured out through trial and error.  Moved to Montana in 1964 and started chasing trout instead, continued much less frequently after coming to Colorado in ‘73.  Spent 2 years in the Bahamas fishing the island tidal channels, most for snapper and jacks with an occasional barracuda.  Fast forward to 2017 and the bass bug has found me once again.

 

My favorite bait in ancient days was topwater, most often Hula Popper, some Jitterbug and injured minnow and pre-rigged plastic worms.  

 

Last week we were camped at Pine Lake State Park in Eldora, Iowa (pretty lake, seems like it would be good with a boat or kayak).  I had my gear with me in case I had time to try my luck, and I had bought a 7 day license.  Ended up only fishing for a little over an hour.  Tried several crankbaits (Rapala shad and minnow) with not a nibble.  Switched to plastic swimbait and got a couple of follows, but no strikes.

 

Then I tied on one of the small BPS poppers that I’d been using in the ocean.  Tried several different retrieves, finally a fairly fast crank with jerks to create a commotion and I got a good strike, then landed 2 fish in a matter of minutes.  They were small, only 10-12 inches, but they hit that popper hard, and I was as excited as a kid with his first fish.  I just wish I’d had more time, and a way to get off the bank.  Now I’m ready to get that fishing kayak and go for more.

 

It may not seem like that much for you guys who get to chase bass regularly on well supplied lakes, but for me it was a trip in the Wayback Machine to a great period in my life.  Now I want more than I'm afraid Colorado can give me. 

Congrats, cool story.  Stay after them.

The bass bug welcomes you back. Enticed with your first

in 50 years!! Congrats to that!

The bait monkey is going to love you.  So much has changed over time.  You two have some serious catching up to do!

50 minutes ago, RPreeb said:

 

Then I tied on one of the small BPS poppers that I’d been using in the ocean.  Tried several different retrieves, finally a fairly fast crank with jerks to create a commotion and I got a good strike, then landed 2 fish in a matter of minutes.  They were small, only 10-12 inches, but they hit that popper hard, and I was as excited as a kid with his first fish.  I just wish I’d had more time, and a way to get off the bank.  Now I’m ready to get that fishing kayak and go for more.

 

 

 

I dont often fish poppers but when I do ,  usually a lot of a commotion is made .