10/02/2010, sunny, 70+ F air temperature, slight wind

7'3" M/XF Powell Max rod, 6.3:1 (32 IPT) Shimano Sonora spinning reel, 6/30 lb Daiwa Samurai mainline with 6 lb Spiderwire Ultracast 100% FC leader, 4/0 Gamakatsu wide gap worm hook, 5" Gary Yamamoto Senko (purple with flakes)

Went for a spot of shore fishing this afternoon to my favorite reservoir, Sugar Hollow. The lake was all muddy, water level rose by maybe 5/6 feet due to the recent rains, and contrary to the weather forecast, there was a good breeze. Caught nothing after 2.5 hours. Got one bite, set the hook, then watched the dink come unbuttoned on a jump. Set the hook on another fish, senko came flying back at me; maybe I imagined the bite. Whatever. At this time I was pretty dejected and basically had 3 options; continue fishing (and I had no idea where to find the fish), sit back, relax and watch the sunset, or go back home.

After some debating, I decided to leave Sugar Hollow and hit another lake on the way back, Lake Albemarle. I caught my first fish in the States (a bluegill), my first bass, and my first bass on a lure at Albemarle. I love the place. So off to Albemarle I went.

The water as usual was pretty muddy. But thankfully the water level didn't increase much. There's not much bank access at Albemarle. Started at a small (very small) cove. Third cast at the mouth of the cove; the T-rigged weightless senko falls on the bottom undisturbed, give it a few twitches, let it sit for a few seconds; and the line starts moving out slowly, very slowly. Something ate that senko! Not bad. Reel in slack, feel the fish, set the hook; and then I couldn't move the fish. Wow. Big one. A brief fight and a spectacular jump later, I land her. Nice fish, not fat, but quite healthy, 21-22 inches (measuring is easy when you have a 5" senko at hand). Should be 5 lbs or more. She didn't take any drag, but only because I didn't let her take any. I'm kinda confident in my 6 lb FC leader and I knew it was a good hookset. It was. She was a bit deep hooked, but nothing serious. Remove the hook, check that there's no bleeding, release the fish. Time for a high-five.

Searched the cove for a few casts more. No strikes. Let's move to the second spot. Cast parallel to the bank about 10 feet from the shore, senko gets hit on the fall. Reel in slack, feel the fish, set the hook. Big one again. I couldn't believe what's going on. This one is smaller, but a strong bass nonetheless. She jumps twice, strips a wee bit of drag and finally lets me measure her, once again with a 5" senko. 18 inches or so, but this one is a fatty. I give her 3.5 pounds. Fish is released and it's time to stop fishing and reflect on the trip and what I learned today.

That sounds like a great trip.

You gotta love it when you can't get a thing and then catch some big ones.

I really like the way you measured the fish too. Never really thought of that before.