After seein snow come to this area of the country I figured my days on the water had come to an end. I was wrong. Yesterday was 66* and sunny, after temps almost 20* lower about the whole week. So I went fishing. Got to the pond I frequent and start pullin' out a spinning rig with a weightless craw orange trick stick when a guy mowin the banks shouted "There's a big bass over here!!". I head over that direction as he putts off on his lawn mower, thoughts of seein a decent bass floating on top of the water or having been scared off by the lawn mower. I was wrong.There, not five yards off shore, swam a decent bass. I couldn't believe it. I ran back to the vehicle, grabbed a 5'6'' baitcasting rig, shove some plastics in a pocket, and take off to where the fish was. Getting there I try the weightless trick stick, but hes not interested. I take that off, and wacky rig a watermelon/ pearl trick stick. I got him real interested by violently shaking it on the bottom, but the stupid exposed 3/0 gammy worm hook catches weeds, and he kinda catches on and backs away. Well I start thinking. This bass likes wiggle, but I need weedless.................. So I put a Baby brush hog on a 1/8 oz jighead that has a large hook. I leave the hook exposed, hoping it will stay above the layer of scum on the bottom. When I get back to this fish, I come up on the right of him, and hes lookin away from me. Perfect. My first cast lands behind him, in slightly deeper water, but I can see everything. I hopped the brush hog off the bottom twice, and that bass swapped ends and sucked that thing in faster than I can tell you. I waited a second, more out of surprise at how quickly and eagerly he took that thing than anything else, then my body kicks into auto pilot, and I reel down and that rod of mine bows up nice and tight. FISH ON!!! Well, I'm used to 7' rods, so a 5'6" is a bit of a change. So here I am, crouched on the bank, not being able to put the rod tip down much further, with a hyperactive bass at the other end. I start moving as fast as I can while crouching, doin' my best to keep this fish down.He jumps once, boils a couple of times, and then comes up again. At this point, I had "notified" my fishing buddy on the other side of the pond that I'd hooked this fish. Well, thee fish gets his head out, and I start waddlin as fast as I can. Kind of trying to run with your knees tied round your neck. I managed to keep the fish from comin any further out, and just waddle into a standing position, all this time fighting the fish and moving down along the bank. Then I swung that thing right outta the water, and lipped 'em. Soon as I touched the jig head in his mouth, it just fell out. And no, I didn't rip a whole in his mouth, I just didn't hook him in any soft are. Stupid thing was hooked in the boniest, toughest part of his mouth. I showed the guy, who was still mowing', and then toss 'em back. One of the weirdest trips in along time. and though he didn't say a thing, I'm sure my buddy had a bit of a laugh at my waddle. Hey, I out fished 'em. It was worth it. LOL. The fish was right round 16 1/2-17inches. Good for the pond I was fishing.

Good story.

Great story keep it up... I am gonna try and get out myself today just to take advantage of it all... Good luck

Congrats on the fish and the creative style of reeling him in.  

Next time try vertical pressure, chances are, it will pull down.  If not, and it gets to the surface, just water ski it in to the bank.  Might be less eventful, and fun that way, though, LOL.  Great story

Next time try vertical pressure, chances are, it will pull down. If not, and it gets to the surface, just water ski it in to the bank. Might be less eventful, and fun that way, though, LOL. Great story

 Thanks, I never thouht of using reverse pschology on bass. LOL. Will keep it in mind. Also, My full day trip tommorrow is in jeprody, due to a severley "stoved" finger.(Bullet pass over the middle.Of all the ways football can get ya............)  LOL. Talk about weird............

Next time you have a dink on, in open water, try "playing" it.  See what it does with various pressure.  Don't torture the little bugger, but make some quick cause and effect observations.  You'll see, they usually do the opposite of the way you pull.  Then try "leading" them when they turn.  this can end a fight with a trophy real quick, where the catch is more important than the fight.

Here's an example of "leading."  3rd jump, on reentry, I turned the fish's head and had her under control, figure-8 her at the boat side, while we got the net ready.  5 lb. smallie, on 4# leader.

Next time you have a dink on, in open water, try "playing" it. See what it does with various pressure. Don't torture the little bugger, but make some quick cause and effect observations. You'll see, they usually do the opposite of the way you pull. Then try "leading" them when they turn. this can end a fight with a trophy real quick, where the catch is more important than the fight.

Here's an example of "leading." 3rd jump, on reentry, I turned the fish's head and had her under control, figure-8 her at the boat side, while we got the net ready. 5 lb. smallie, on 4# leader.

that's an awesome picture J

Thanks, taken by my frien Burnie Haney.  it is a cool pic, but this one's way awesomer

Anyway, sometimes a day of numbers with dinks, and light tackle will give you a pile of lessons to prepare you for the big ones. I've made a TON of mistakes fighting fish, and I've seen others make a TON of mistakes. You can't always anticipate what the fish will do, but if you can stack the odds in your favor....

J Francho...wasn't that your B-day fish?

Thanks, taken by my frien Burnie Haney. it is a cool pic, but this one's way awesomer

Anyway, sometimes a day of numbers with dinks, and light tackle will give you a pile of lessons to prepare you for the big ones. I've made a TON of mistakes fighting fish, and I've seen others make a TON of mistakes. You can't always anticipate what the fish will do, but if you can stack the odds in your favor....

god that's a monster, I remember over the summer when I caught a big carp (22") on 4 lb test and an ultra-lite, the first ten minutes were exciting then I was just wondering when it was going to give up  ;D

Thanks, taken by my frien Burnie Haney. it is a cool pic, but this one's way awesomer

Anyway, sometimes a day of numbers with dinks, and light tackle will give you a pile of lessons to prepare you for the big ones. I've made a TON of mistakes fighting fish, and I've seen others make a TON of mistakes. You can't always anticipate what the fish will do, but if you can stack the odds in your favor....

god that's a monster, I remember over the summer when I caught a big carp (22") on 4 lb test and an ultra-lite, the first ten minutes were exciting then I was just wondering when it was going to give up ;D

LOL. I like that attitude.

J Francho...wasn't that your B-day fish?

Yep.  I had a great b'day week.  100+ fish day on Oneida, followed by a two 5+ (and about 100 fish combined) on my home water with Burnie.

http://plan-b.smugmug.com/Travel/Oneida-52109/8289290_yaF4D

http://plan-b.smugmug.com/Travel/Port-Bay-w-Burnie/8296541_pYqyQ

Thanks, taken by my frien Burnie Haney. it is a cool pic, but this one's way awesomer

Anyway, sometimes a day of numbers with dinks, and light tackle will give you a pile of lessons to prepare you for the big ones. I've made a TON of mistakes fighting fish, and I've seen others make a TON of mistakes. You can't always anticipate what the fish will do, but if you can stack the odds in your favor....

god that's a monster, I remember over the summer when I caught a big carp (22") on 4 lb test and an ultra-lite, the first ten minutes were exciting then I was just wondering when it was going to give up ;D

LOL. I like that attitude.

ahahhah that S.O.B was boring after 10 minutes lol i actually think i got bored of 30 yard runs.  

When i caught my pb in my avatar, i got it out and the jig was hooked how yours was. I moved it a little and it fell out if he was a fighter and not a lazy shoe he might have gotten away! haha