Best Day EVER! 3/25/07 (Pics)

[jooleyen]

I had a half day of school on Thursday, and no school Friday.
I went on a fishing mini-vacation.
The last day was by far the best.


This probably doesn't sound so exciting to you guys, but it is for me.

1. I haven't been able to catch a bass in about 6 months.
2. I've never caught a bass on my new setup.
3. I've never sight fished before.

Well, I went to my grandpa's friend's private lake. That's the only place I know of where it's legal to catch bass right now.

I'm sure you guys have all had this feeling, but I had to share it. I can't explain it. I've been trying to learn everything I can about bass for the past 6 months, and I haven't really caught many bass at all. It's my favorite thing to do, and this is one of the first times I've done it.

The weather was beautiful and everything was going GREAT!
I only caught three bass, but that's plenty for me.

I caught a HOG (Not HAWG) for Wisconsin. The fish calculator said it was about 4 Pounds 3 Ounces!!!...



I caught 2 more. They were both about 12".



I had one bite on a 3.5 inch white tube, but all of them were caught on a Blue Neon & Black Riverside Plastics Worm. I went through a whole pack!
Remember the post I made about these? I'm happy I got some.

It was somewhere in the high sixties with strong winds on and off. Now I've learned how important sunscreen and polarized sunglasses are.

The videos are even better.

I can't stop talking about this...sorry.

Do you know the feeling?

P.S. - Click http://flickr.com/photos/74201270@N0...7594447460787/ for all of the pictures.

[texasbasser]

Good Job! Thats a hog in anyones book.

[ILfishinman]

Good Job! Yea We all know the feelin. a great feeelin eh?

[jooleyen]

YES! The best feeling ever! I feel kinda wierd, because I have expensive equipment, and I have only caught about 20 LargeMouth Bass. But now is about the time to really start fishing. Just gotta wait till May 5th.

Is it illegal to fish for largemouth bass in your area?

[Rebbasser]

Well done, Joolz! That's a nice fish in anybody's book.

[ILfishinman]

here it isnt ever illegal to fish for them, at least not in the lakes i fish, there is a specified trout season tho.

[jooleyen]

Soo lucky. Every year you need to go about 4 months without bass fishing here.

[islandflyfisher]

Nice fish. Sounds like a great trip, and I know the feeling. I agree with texas, that is a hog for anyone.

[mymomisbecky]

I really want to get out there. This weekend coming up (in 5 days) is supposed to be cold again. temps are already in the mid 40s, then im gone for 8 days golfing, then when I come back its almost over with (spawn/pre spawn).
oh well, pick my battles.

4lbs is a good fish man, especially for the midwest. I live in central iowa, and I only caught 15 or so bass all of last year bigger than that, and I fished ALOT. congratz

[Super Fluke]

Nice fish.

[ILfishinman]

im just one state south of you, we have to go 4 months aswell its called winter lol, november december january febuary, tho most of november is fishable

[jooleyen]

I feel your pain ILfishinman.

Thanks a lot guys.
I think I saw maybe 2 spawning beds. One was REALLY shallow and the other was in about 4' of water. Neither of the beds had fish on them. They were bright little circles maybe 2.5' in diameter.

Are they in pre-spawn? What are good strageties for this? Can you bed fish (sight fish) from shore normally?

[mymomisbecky]

you can sight fish from shore, although its a little harder of course.
They could very well be beds that you saw. If you are in wisconsin though, the water temps cant be above 45-50. I bet its closer to 40 degrees. I wouldnt suspect the fish are fanning yet, but its possible.

[betursweetbass]

I love the pics, I love the fish, the reel, the line...cajun i bet, and good going on your mini vacation....

BET

[brushhog]

Great fish, 4+lbs is definitely a hog for those of us North of the Mason Dixon line! Congrats!

[JB]

thats for sure, we live below lake erie and any 4-8 pounder is something to brag about...just about all the fish we catch day in and out are 13-16 inches, so a 4 pounder or bigger is mighty nice!

[jooleyen]

Thanks a lot all. I don't think these fish are spawning yet, because the water is still pretty cold. Very soon though.

It IS Cajun Redcast. #10 test.
I include the reel in my pictures because
1. It is cool.
2. It shows size comparison between the bass and the reel.

[zooker]

4+ pounder nice fish..
i think da boy is hooked...

here there is no season..

zooker

[JB]

no season here either, just a 5 fish limit IF you keep the bass. Same as walleye and 25 crappies per day IF you keep them..alot of guy will keep the football size smallmouth up at erie, and many average 4-5 lbs. Walleye can range from 12 inch cigar to a 11, 12, 0r 13 lb hawg (up here they call them eyes or toemain devils

[lizardsrule]

Awesome Joolie! No season in Florida other than fishing season LOL. I lived farther north for many, many years. No doubt about it a 4lber is a great fish from your neck of the woods.

Lizards

[jooleyen]

I am very fortunate to live here. No problems such as alligators and huge spiders. There is also a pretty wide variety of fish here too. We hold the world record for biggest musky. But bass is my fish. I can't even catch and release them.

But...

I really envy you southern guys too. The time will come.

[mack]

awesome fish jooleyen...thats a lunker..it feels great to catch a nice fish like that...good job...

[youngbassman77]

Nice Fish !!!!!

[keithdog]

Nice catch Jooleyan! Thats a great feeling when your able to put it all together and catch a nice mess of bass. It looks like your well on your way to a lifetime of bass fishin. Congrats!!!

[jooleyen]

I forgot to mention. Were those bass getting sun (it was one of the warmest days in a while) or were they searching for beds??? I threw a topwater and hot 3 hits, but then they stopped. Is it normally good to throw a topwater when they are swimming near the surface?