Landed two largemouth bass today!  First time I’ve ever caught one!  I was driving to Arktabutla Lake today as my intended destination, and I decided to pull over alongside the road where I saw a lot of flooded trees and bushes. Figured this might be the right place to try a Texas rig for the first time. I used Yum Dingers in Pumkpin Green on a Gamakatsu 3/0 offset hook. Regular, not EWG. I didn’t use a weight either. I must say I really like those Yum Dingers. I watched how they moved in the water as I would reel it in. They have a cool action. I also like the indentation on the back of the worms for the hook to rest in. 
 

i did feel bad on the first fish I got. He hooked himself way down in his throat in this thick piece of meat at the back of his throat. Do fish have tongues?  It almost looked like the fishes tongue. Anyways, I didn’t have my forceps out cause I honestly wasn’t expecting to catch anything. I couldn’t locate them in my back in a decent amount of time and the fish has been out of water for awhile. I was worried if I didn’t get him back in the water he would certainly die. So I decided to cut the line and let him go with the hook and worm still in his mouth. I felt bad but I just couldn’t get it out. 

First off, congrats! They look like two decent bass! 
 

Second, things happen when fishing, but always have a tool with your baits for hook removal. You’ll be glad you do next time!

First, congrats.

 

Two, the bass didn't hook itself in the throat; you hooked the bass in the throat by failing to feel the bite and/or see the line and set the hook appropriately and accordingly. We all do it on occasion, but it's a lot more common with new bass anglers, ESPECIALLY when using Senko style baits.

I guess I don’t know what I’m really looking for. I was just doing the slow rod raising technique I’ve seen in videos when it comes to Texas rig. When I lifted up that’s when I felt weight on the line and I quickly lifted up some more to set the hook and reel in. I’m not sure I’m technically using the right gear either for this technique. I am just using my push button spinning reel with monofilament line. Does the kind of reel or line make a difference in being able to do the proper technique?

Congrats! You'll be hooked for life now!

Congrats on the catch and welcome to the inevitable addiction that will soon follow. 
 

Get him Baitmonkey! ?

Congratulations, You'll always remember your first. My first was on Norman DD 22 dark blue color on IKE point Van Nuys. I remember every detailes. Like just happened. 

Congratulations!  

Congratulations 

Good Job!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

1 hour ago, bgaviator said:

I guess I don’t know what I’m really looking for. I was just doing the slow rod raising technique I’ve seen in videos when it comes to Texas rig. When I lifted up that’s when I felt weight on the line and I quickly lifted up some more to set the hook and reel in. I’m not sure I’m technically using the right gear either for this technique. I am just using my push button spinning reel with monofilament line. Does the kind of reel or line make a difference in being able to do the proper technique?

 

You can catch bass with any rod and reel. Have fun first, add to your arsenal as you can.  You'll learn a lot here. Kick back and enjoy the ride!

Congrats!

 

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

First, congrats.

 

Two, the bass didn't hook itself in the throat; you hooked the bass in the throat by failing to feel the bite and/or see the line and set the hook appropriately and accordingly. We all do it on occasion, but it's a lot more common with new bass anglers, ESPECIALLY when using Senko style baits.

I don’t fully agree with this. I’ve had bass hit a soft plastic as soon as it hit the water and set the hook as fast as possible, and they’ve still taken it deep. Sometimes they just inhale it and there’s nothing you can do except either remove the hook cleanly with a hook removal tool or cut the hook with wire cutters and take it out in two pieces. Or, if necessary, cut the line and leave the hook. Yeah, new anglers can miss the nuances of bites, but it happens to the best of us. 

Nice. 

Congrats!!

 

That one looks like frying pan size shoulda thrown him in the cooler instead of releasing with a hook. Next time, soon as you feel a hit, drop the tip for a split second, than set the hook! 

16 hours ago, Surfcaster79 said:

Congrats!!

 

That one looks like frying pan size shoulda thrown him in the cooler instead of releasing with a hook. Next time, soon as you feel a hit, drop the tip for a split second, than set the hook! 

Yeah I’ve just been doing catch and release so far. Haven’t worked myself up to filleting a fish yet. Stuff makes me a little squeamish. I’m not an outdoorsy type. Ha ha. But trying to get better at it. I heard a lot of people don’t like the taste of bass compared to say crappie or catfish, especially large mouths. Are they real fishy or muddy tasting or something?  

2 hours ago, bgaviator said:

Yeah I’ve just been doing catch and release so far. Haven’t worked myself up to filleting a fish yet. Stuff makes me a little squeamish. I’m not an outdoorsy type. Ha ha. But trying to get better at it. I heard a lot of people don’t like the taste of bass compared to say crappie or catfish, especially large mouths. Are they real fishy or muddy tasting or something?  

bass taste great but everyone will tell you they don’t, hoping to discourage you from killing them 

If you do get a fish that has a hook in it's throat, as long as you can see the point or push the point through until it is exposed, you can cut your line a few inches above the hook( this allows you to prevent the fish from swallowing with it's reflex by using the line to keep it exposed)  then grab the point with needle nose pliers (I use my Leatherman) and work it through the opposite way the barb is facing. You may have to re-grip the hook a couple of times as you pull it out.  It can be done rather quickly. If it's totally buried and you can't do this, cut your line as close to the hook as you can and get the fish back in the water.