I really have to say 3 fish always stand out to me.

Of course the first bass, which was from a river we stayed at all summer back in the 50’s. I was around 5 years old I guess, it might have been on a red and white Daredevil.

 Second was when my parents took me to a cabin on an un-named lake up in Maine.

I was around 15 years old and the cabin had a tin boat with a kicker on it.

We got nightcrawlers and headed out, it was here that I hooked my first Smallmouth bass, 5 lbs on the Deliarer . I could not believe the power and strength of this fish, hooked for life on these.

 Third was on my 14’ Mirrocraft with a 9.9 Johnson up on Greenwood lake, was with my father and hooked maybe my biggest Largemouth on a perch shad rap. I was in my early 20’s then.

Back then never had a camera on the boat or ruler, just knew it was big.

2019 trip to Toledo Bend, well two days in & only 3 fish ?

 

 But one was tagged BassCashBash which I was registered in, it won me a 2019 Dodge Ram

 

 

@Catt: I wish we had magical bass in Maine. So, when you caught it, did you immediately understand that you'd landed a truck? Also, if that's your truck behind you, do you drive it everywhere with that decal on the side? Lastly, does that mark you as a mini-celebrity? 

@Swamp Girl No ma'am 😉

 

I didn't eminently see the tag, in the top picture was how I held the fish up for my buddy Mike to photograph, I was going to chunk back. As per the rules I cut the tag off & put in my wallet & forgot about. When I walked into Fin & Feather's office  I told the girl I caught a tagged fish, she casually says ok. Reach in my wallet, pulled the tag out, the girl freaks saying you caught a truck. I said what, she says they're color coded, turn the tag over. 

 

I sold the truck before ever taking possession, the check was in my pocket in that picture. 

 

I didn't pay for lunch or supper the rest of the week, shook a lot hands.

6 minutes ago, Catt said:

I didn't pay for lunch or supper the rest of the week, shook a lot hands.

 

How cool that your friends and family celebrated your catch with all those meals. 

 

6 minutes ago, Catt said:

the girl freaks saying you caught a truck

 

I had the same reaction! 

 

My dream lake would be @Bluebasser86's magic water that never freezes full of @AlabamaSpothunter's big bass and every now and then, I'd catch a magic bass like yours. I'm going to ask Bob to make me such a lake. Bob's the builder. He can do it. 

Caught this momma on a January afternoon, first time ever being at that spot

This simple, not large bass. It’s when I first decided to commit to bass fishing. 
shakey head worm. I was very proud of it

My favorite bass was caught when I was about 10- 11, We rented a house for a week, and I was catching 1-2 lb bass from the property dock...they had a John Boat, but Mum wouldn't let me use it...

Until she did....

I took off, and started Trolling (Trolling was ROWING) a live nightcrawler (always used big nightcrawlers back then-Pretty much TR)...I had what I believe was a Zebco 202...

My rod bent pretty badly while I was "trolling"...I fought that fish and won(pretty much the middle of the lake)...

I estimate 3.5-4 lbs, it was pretty big...and it had a chunk taken out of it's back, like a turtle bite.

Great Memory.