PB Bass at the Deer

[Funchy]

G'day All,

Hit DC around 6:30am (wasn't quite light)

I had rigged up my 7ft rod with 8lb line, float and about 4ft trace to a worm on a treble hook (no sinker).

Well, I paddled around for about an hour with fish slurping bugs off the top of the water all around me but none had any interest in my nightcrawler. I had previously had success with some lipless crank baits on this lake before but I thought what the hell it's time to catch my first fish on soft plastics. So I rigged up with a 3" minnow grub in pumkin seed colour on a 3/8 number 2 jig head (I was chasing some 1/8 oz but the sportsmans wharehouse had sold out.) I was worried I was fishing too heavy but needn't have worried. I got my first fish (Small Mouth Bass) on about my 10th cast. I remembered reading some advice on taking it slow and not getting too rushed so I let the fish take the plastic and then just applied steady pressure 'till I knew it was on. Had fun with that and very stoked with my 1st fish on SP's!!

I threw straight back out and hooked up to another smaller SMB but was thinking I rather like this SP fishin business. (There goes the retirement fund )

Anyway I paddled over to a likely looking rocky outcrop and threw in again and felt the thump as it dropped. I once again applied steady pressure and .....is it a snag???? nope niiiiiice fish!!!! I have always thought saltwater fish fight harder than the fresh but I tell you, when you hook up to a decent smallie you know you are in for some fun. He jumped out of the water a few times and even towed my fat butt around in circles a couple of times but I finally had him in the yak. Very pleased with myself.

I threw in around the rocks for a couple of more hours but only got two more SMB and 1 other pan fish (I think it was a sunfish???).

All in all a great mornings fishing with a PB Bass!!!

BTW... All fish were released (including the two in the photo)
Cheers
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[FishKillr]

Great report....good details n funny.
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[Funchy]

Thanks mate. Pics are there now if ya wanna check out the bass

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[flyfish03]

Just curious, why would you put fish on a stringer you're planning on releasing??? Honestly, just doesn't make sense to me, and no I'm not trying to be an ass, and no I don't have anything against harvesting fish. But seriously, this isn't the best way to practice catch and release. Sorry, I'm not trying to be condescending, just stating the facts!
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[Funchy]

[quote flyfish03]Just curious, why would you put fish on a stringer you're planning on releasing??? Honestly, just doesn't make sense to me, and no I'm not trying to be an ass, and no I don't have anything against harvesting fish. But seriously, this isn't the best way to practice catch and release. Sorry, I'm not trying to be condescending, just stating the facts![/quote]

No prob's mate,

Fact was I had every intention of frying them up but some wombat forgot to put the Esky (Cooler) in the car. (Must have been the early start). When I returned to the car and realised the error of my ways I was torn between laying them on the Kayak for the drive home and release. As it was my wifes car and I value my private parts I thought I would go with the release. Both were still strong and swam away without any visible signs of stress. Upside is we all get a chance to catch that big one again.


Cheers
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[steve_o]

haha i have been waiting for someone to say something
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[flygoddess]

Like, how long were they out of the water before you released????? Time to walk to your car and realize no ice chest then back????
What a waste, they were nice fish though....

I am guessing Australia has a whole different way of Catch and Release, mate.
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[catmaster23]

Nice bass! Don't beat yourself up, sometimes shit happens and your stuck with the decision of letting them go and giving them a fighting chance or putting them in the car and letting them spoil and go to waste. Another thing is that fish are a lot tougher than people give them credit for espically bass.
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[ifishutah]

Cmon, get down off the high horses.

Bass are a different creature than trout and ABSOLUTELY can and do survive with equipment hooked through their lower jaw. Please don't argue the point because i've personally witnessed it thousands of times.

Funchy that's a nice Deer Creek bass. Way to go.
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[flygoddess]

Okay, I will. And I agree totally they are nice Bass for sure.
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[sinergy]

[quote ifishutah] Please don't argue the point because i've personally witnessed it thousands of times. [/quote]

LOL
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[ifishutah]

Wow, synergy and Flygoddess really have a inferiority complex. LOL

Really need to get off the high horses.
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[flygoddess]

[quote ifishutah]Wow, synergy and Flygoddess really have a inferiority complex. LOL

Really need to get off the high horses.[/quote]

quote: Please don't argue the point because i've personally witnessed it thousands of times.

We do? I just want to know where you are coming up with these phrases like inferiority complex and high horse?

Again, nice bass.
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[Strikes_R_Us]

I like the way you made your decision!LOL! Nice bass by the way, not bad for your first time on plastics!
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[sinergy]

[quote ifishutah]Wow, synergy and Flygoddess really have a inferiority complex. LOL [/quote]

Whaat ? All I said was "LOL" = Laugh out loud meaning I thought what he posted was funny.

Both your posts ended up flaming me & FG when nothing that was said was negitive Soo.. I guess we can tell who has a complex... little man maybe LOL
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[Funchy]

[quote flygoddess]Like, how long were they out of the water before you released????? Time to walk to your car and realize no ice chest then back????
What a waste, they were nice fish though....

I am guessing Australia has a whole different way of Catch and Release, mate.[/quote]

Ok Lets clear this up!

I caught the fish and intended to eat 'em. I had them on a stringer attached to my Kayak. They were in the water the whole time. I paddled to the shore at Rainbow Bay and pulled my Kayak up unto the shore but the stringer and the bass were still in the water. I took my paddle, rod, tackle, water etc to the car (parked 20ft from where I had the kayak!!!) and noticed the esky was not in the car. I grabbed my Blackberry and went down to the kayak. Pulled the fish out of the water, took a photo and relased them. So the amount of time they were out of the water was less than 1 minute.

Flygodess, I have been a keen fisherman for years and do not condone mistreatment or waste of fish or any other of gods great creatures! Your assumptions on the fish being wasted and how we C&R in Australia are totally baseless.

But yes, it was a nice bass.
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[flygoddess]

And with the WHOLE story, you are right. Changes everything doesn't it, thanks.
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[ifishutah]

Little man? Hmmm, Get a clue doof. LOL
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[sinergy]

Thank you for the great advise, You seem to be a cornucopia of knowledge Have a nice day
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[ifishutah]

LOL
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