I took a coworker/friend fishing.  he bought a Hobie like mine used, with his goals set on the ocean.  admirable goal for sure.

three things I want to discuss:

1. general fishing skills

2. bargain rod/reels

3. the BENEFITS of having a fishing partner. 

 

1. showing a person how to bass fish is so difficult. the main reason, skills yet developed.  the dude couldnt cast.  it has been decades since witnessing the "Rainbow cast" over a tree.  yet there we were.  he had one cast.  the one you use from shore.  two hands, body English, trebuchet style.  the rest of the skills, mostly verbal.  "let it soak", "let it sink"
,etc.

 

2.  okay.  the guy had one GREAT combo which ironically he couldnt get bit on.  (see #1).  he also had a $29 spinning that came spooled.  he was throwing my best suggestion to get him bit.  the Ned.  I think the reel had mono of mystery poundage, and a noodle of a rod.  he would cast out, and immediately start reeling.  I suggested he just let it sink and watch the line go slack indicating the bait is on the bottom.  never occurred to me, he couldnt.   he also had a $69 bait casting combo, he couldnt cast.  we found an awesome spot, unreachable by boat.

 

3.  it is wonderful to have a "partner" in fishing.  we went fully prepared to lift our kayaks over a fence to reach the new waters.  instead we lucked out and thanks to a high lake, found a goat trail we could walk our boats down.  we had to tag team a few rough spots.  I found a cove inside of a cove.  I saw a very shallow band of water between trees and it looked deep on the other side.  it was!!  it was a flooded lagoon.  trees everywhere.  and they were hungry.   so fun.  I gave my bud all the first casts..."I am guaranteeing there is a bass in there".   by the time I was done, I was actually skipping a Deps CoverScat under trees and smashing them.    it was nuts.  boaters would yell to us.."how did you get in there?"  I could see the tops of their heads over a berm, if I stood up. hahah

 

I am super stoked my bud didnt skunk.  he got five I believe.  (Ned Power).  he was fairly stubborn and would insist on throwing baits the dude at the fishing store told him was a sure thing.  he wants to go halibut fishing next week, but I might try this cove again.  just go there first thing.  the lake goes down, I may have to portage my rig, but I got that. 

 

oh, I got my PB smallie which is a very humble 2lbs.  hahahha..I was happy.

 

 

• @Darth-Baiter  You did good!!!  Patience x 3.  Some good advice @Swamp Girl gave me:  Don't try and teach everything, just a little at a time.  Keep up the good work!

2 minutes ago, Lottabass said:

• @Darth-Baiter  You did good!!!  Patience x 3.  Some good advice @Swamp Girl gave me:  Don't try and teach everything, just a little at a time.  Keep up the good work!

thanks..I needed that.

 

I get a bit much I think.  I put a lot of pressure on myself to get newbs to succeed.  

34 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 I put a lot of pressure on myself to get newbs to succeed.  

 

Me too! I take guiding seriously. If I take someone and I outfish them, I didn't do my job. 

3 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

If I take someone and I outfish them, I didn't do my job. 

Wow… tall order 

If you’re going to teach someone to fish, teach them to fish. Don’t fish, give all your attention to the pupil. If you’re fishing, you aren’t paying enough attention to helping them. 

5 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

"Rainbow cast" over a tree

I perfected this cast years ago, and still use it on occasion.  How else are you going to catch the giant bass that live 30 feet up in the highest tree?  I haven't caught one there yet, but I will keep trying.  I know others are after those bass too, because once in awhile I see a lure almost as high in a tree as my best Rainbow cast.  Don't be down on your friends Rainbow casts, he may be able to teach you a thing or two.  Although I would encourage him to practice the cast with a baitcaster, instead of a spinning rod.  A good Rainbow cast over a tree should end with a pocket knife worthy backlash.

I’ve had my 8 year old grandson out half a dozen times over the past month. Found a fairly open bank on the river, taught him how to cast a spinning rod, and turned him loose with a little paddletail. He caught one tree the first day and has been good since.

 

 Last weekend I caught a tree over my head just out of reach and had to break it off. An hour later I did the exact same thing.

 

 He thought it was hilarious and was still telling people yesterday about the two trees that Pap caught…