What A Day! 2024
Shewillbemine reply :
I started bass fishing when I was approximately 15 years old, hampered by the Southern California reality that I could not drive and had scarce lakes to fish at. Most of my days were spent with dough baits catching catfish and carp since I felt limited fishing from docks and banks (now I know better).
So my passion for bass fishing hibernated although I kept up with information via tons of books followed by the emergence of the internet.
At 20 years old, I pursued it again but only catching bass via nightcrawlers. This was unsatisfying because it still didn't feel like "real" bass fishing. I caught a tiny one on a crankbait as well but that seemed like an accident to me since I wasn't even really trying/paying attention.
Fast forward to 14 years later and I finally pick up the sport again. I'm wiser, more well-read, have the financial means for better equipment, fishing permits and boat rentals. And of course, I have this forum to thank for a deluge of information and motivation even in such a short amount of time after discovering it.
Road Warrior's article regarding Senkos is amazing. I caught my first 2 bass on the tube bait which made me feel like I was doing something right. I went out again and caught 1 bass, again on the Senkos.
Today, it was rainy and overcast in CA so I applied what I learned. Mostly, I knew that I should be out on the water because rainy, overcast days encourage bass to feed.
I tried the Senko again but only had 1 bait that didn't set properly. But this time I was prepared. From my studying, I concluded that a fast moving crankbait would be appropriate for more active bass fishing (due to the weather), mimicking the minnows/shad I'd seen in shallow waters AND hit the deeper bass my fish finder identified (yes, I'm that guy who bought a fish finder).
I purchased the Rapala Deep Runner Shad Rap that ranges from 5 - 11 feet. I also knew my technique should be to keep my rod tip down AND
I remembered an old trick of using a permanent marker to enlarge the eyeball of this lure.
So long story long, I CAUGHT SIX (6) BASS TODAY!
I apologize for the long post. If you can't tell, I'm really amped about my really successful fishing day. I feel like I've "leveled up" after being baptised in the harsh bass waters of CA.
Looking forward to learning a lot more from all of you. Thank you.
I didn't take pics of the 3 dinks I caught. They were quite small and it amazed me that they even hit the crankbait. These bass are aggressive!
A Senko Caught Bass on One Day
First Bass on Shad Rap
The Biggest Bass I've Caught In My Life So Far
Same Bass - Another Pic
Last Bass of the Day
North Ga Hillbilly reply :
That next to last bass is built right. Great job man!
NGaHB
Tuckahoe Joe reply :
This forum is definitly great. No question. Great fish man!
nathansmithusa reply :
Great story, and nice looking fish. Congrats on a great day of fishing. I lived in SouCal for years. Whereabouts are you located? If SouCal, try Lake Casitas or Castaic. Both have monster bass, but the fishing can be tough with smart fish and lots of competition.
South FLA reply :
Senko bass looks biggest! Nice outing!
00 mod reply :
Nice catching! Congrats!
Jeff
BASSHUNTER1961 reply :
Nice read.... Congratulations on your final success. You stuck with it, and it has paid off.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Good fish. Keep it up!
A-Jay reply :
Congrats ~ !
Here's to many more bass filled days for you on the water.
A-Jay
Darren. reply :
Good stuff, man! Nice fishing trip.
Siebert Outdoors reply :
Very Cool!
scaleface reply :
Congratulations! Im a big believer in eyeballs on lures. I even add three eyeballs to bullet weights with white and black nail polish{That way one is always visible}. I never heard of using a permanent marker to enlarge the eyes on a crankbait. You taught me something.
hookset on 3 reply :
Shewillbemine, on October 11 2012, they WERE yours!
Shewillbemine reply :
On 10/12/2012 at 7:52 PM, nathansmithusa said:Great story, and nice looking fish. Congrats on a great day of fishing. I lived in SouCal for years. Whereabouts are you located? If SouCal, try Lake Casitas or Castaic. Both have monster bass, but the fishing can be tough with smart fish and lots of competition.
I'm around LA, OC and San Diego. I do plan to check out many more lakes including those two, but I want to test my mettle and earn experience points with the smaller lakes first. The large, popular lakes in SoCal are way overfished and I'm taking baby steps as I learn more.
NEjitterbugger reply :
Great idea... Nice catches also, congrats...
SGT Rico reply :
You had a great day!! All quality fish.
Mrs. Matstone reply :
Great post and pics. Congrats to you!
Dwight Hottle reply :
Good outing.
Will Wetline reply :
I've got a vicarious buzz going from your enthusiastic post!
bowhunter63 reply :
Great trip,Congrats.
Jake P reply :
Awesome fish man! here's to many more cali bass in the future!!
Siebert Outdoors reply :
Very Cool!! Congrats.
Bankbeater reply :
Way to go! You had a great trip!
Shewillbemine reply :
I recently stumbled on Surf/Beach Fishing (fishing the ocean but from the beach, not a boat or pier) and decided to give it a try. I used the recommended bloodworms and caught a Yellowfin Croaker on the first cast! However, one thing they don't tell you about wading into the waves is how tired you'll be afterwards. Passed out for a few hours in the car!
Shewillbemine reply :
Well, I think I'm just going to use this thread as sort of my digital diary since I've read that it helps to chronicle your successes (and failures). The details I provide in my post are mostly for me to check back on and remember my tactics and conditions. I fished back to back days and here's what I got.
In San Diego/Poway Lake, I ventured out at the 7am opening time when we had light/medium rain. Most of the fish were hanging out at REALLY deep levels probably because of the warmer temperatures down there. My HumminBird Fishin' Buddy registered medium/large fish but all the way down at 50 - 90 ft. depth.
I caught two bass for the day, both on the Rapala Shad Rap (my new favorite lure). I gotta admit that crankbaits make me feel more involved versus plastics, although I know plastics have a better chance of landing larger fish.
LURE: Rapala Shad Rap
LOCATION: Casting towards shoreline in eastern alcove
RETRIEVE: Quick with 2-3 short jerks ("tap-tap" reel)
LURE: Rapala Shad Rap
LOCATION: Casting towards shoreline in southeastern main shoreline
CONDITIONS: Light to Medium Wind; 74 degrees; less current at location; cast right into front of weeds
RETRIEVE: Quick with 2-3 short jerks ("tap-tap" reel)
This one's from a local lake.
LURE: Rapala Shad Rap
LOCATION: Casting towards northern side of Bass Island into the weedline.
RETRIEVE: Quick with "dying shad" 3-4 continuous jerks ("taptaptap" reel)
Tuckahoe Joe reply :
Is that first one a largemouth? Whats with the red? Ive never seen that before.
Shewillbemine reply :
Aah, that's my red rain poncho reflecting.
The postman was nice to me the other day. I received these two things in addition to a new baitcasting rod/reel combo from Bass Pro Shops.
It was time for a new tackle box. I like this one because it's a soft tackle box that fits everything I typically bring on a fishing trip. It also comes with a complete set of plastic boxes that can be customized to your liking.
I've also been looking for a crankbait that will go deeper past the 10' mark. I selected a crawdad/crayfish color since I spotted this color combination in the water from the natural crawdads living there.
Tuckahoe Joe reply :
On 10/26/2012 at 12:49 AM, Shewillbemine said:Aah, that's my red rain poncho reflecting.
Ok, gotcha. Kind of a neat effect. That crankbait looks pretty sweet.
Shewillbemine reply :
Went out again today and caught one on the Shad Rap again, also caught on my brand new Bass Pro Shop Baitcasting combo. I love this lure! Also tried my new Rapala DT Crawfish but didn't catch anything. I think the lure's a little too heavy for my rigs so I may need to keep the DT in the tackle box for now.
LURE: Rapala Shad Rap
LOCATION: Casting towards eastern side of Bass Island into the weedline.
RETRIEVE: Quick with 2 short jerks ("tap tap" reel)...fish hit after first jerks. On a side note, imo, this is the "prettiest" fish I've ever caught. Just look at its color and eyes!
WDinarte reply :
Nice, like I always say... Life is a leraning process.
You are correct this forum have a LOT - LOT of good information, " if i don't know today, we will learn tomorrow "
Congrats, great catch.
Shewillbemine reply :
So I'm still on this bass kick and I decided to spread out to the ocean again, fishing from a jetty. The local shop recommended those expensive but effective Lucky Craft lures. I picked one up and caught some bass! I let go the tinier one and kept this 14 incher (measured). Dinner was nice and fresh tonight (yes I checked for edibility via Dept. of Fish and Game).
Lure: Lucky Craft
Location: West side of jetty; kelp bed
Retrieve: Slower and hanging out in the strike zone ("jerk jerk jerk"...slow reel)
Shewillbemine reply :
Well, I knew this day was coming. I'd been flirting with the idea since I was 12 years old when my mom's response was "What the heck are you going to tow it with?"
Yup, I bought a boat and here she is. It's not the fanciest, most expensive boat on the water but she's mine and she's a virgin. I know Tracker gets polarizing reactions but for what I spent on it, I think it's a perfect first boat for someone like me.
Tuckahoe Joe reply :
Ha! That dogs looking at the fish like "what the heck is that?". Great picture and congrats on the boat.
Shewillbemine reply :
While waiting for my boat to finish rigging, I dropped by a different lake today to test out my new stuff from Tackle Warehouse. I've always liked how the jig n pig (in this case "craw") combo looks but I've NEVER tried it.
I studied my depth finder and found a nice ridge/dropoff/shelf that went drastically from 10' to 16' and decided that's where the bass would be lurking. I fished the jig combo for the first time and got 3 nice bass!
I actually set up my GoPro Hero2 for the first time but my doom arse didn't press the right button to record. Hence, the only thing I have is this picture of the 3rd bass, which was the biggest of them all. I wish the picture showed scale to the fish--if you look at my hand, you can see how my fingers and fist relate to the fish. This was a nice one that would've been great on a tournament day.
Lure: Strike King Bitsy Flip Jig Watermelon with Big Bite Baits Swimming Craw Watermelon
Location: Santiago Flats
Retrieve: Rod tip down, jerking 2-3 times imitating swimming crawfish
Shewillbemine reply :
So I finally kicked the skunk today. No, it wasn't a bass but at this point, I'm happy for anything. I actually had a second bite but I forgot that I was fighting a trout and treated it like a bass instead. Hence, my drag was set way too tightly and one powerful tail flip and my line broke.
Nevertheless, this is a nice one caught trolling. Three and a half pounds weighed on-site.
Lure: Rapala Rattlin Rap, Firetiger Color, 3 1/8" size
Location: Southwestern side close to boat dock (second fish came on Northeastern side close to sunlit shore)
Retrieve: Trolling, about 50-70' line (8 - 10 lb. test) at speed 3
Shewillbemine reply :
Caught my first LMB of 2013 today! This was a welcome sight especially since I had been struggling so much lately and my confidence had waned (I started fishing for trout lol).
The best part is that this fish was caught on a jig n pig, which imo is one of the hardest lures to master and remain patient with. I'm still learning how to detect strikes but I think I did an ok job today. I lost a MUCH bigger fish after this one because it threw the hook before I could get it into the boat. Nevertheless, I'm real happy that the skunk is off my back and my new boat was broken in with its first bass.
Lure: Terminator Pro Series Jig Peanut Butter Jelly Color (1/2 oz I think)
Location: Crappie Hideaway, at one of the jutting, underwater rocky points
Retrieve: Cast and settle on bottom. Then slow lift with a few soft "pops" at the top of lift. Slow reel in between.
Shewillbemine reply :
We've had a cloudy front recently and I decided to fish the ocean this time. In these parts, it's much cheaper to fish the Pacific than pay the private lake fees (I know some of you can't relate to lake fees).
I used ghost shrimp for bait and a swim jig to land 3 Calico Bass and 1 Leopard Shark. The shark was all muscle and felt powerful in my hand regardless of its small size.
Lure: Ghost Shrimp on Carolina Rig
Location: Dana Flats (waypoint on GPS)
Retrieve: Bait & Wait
Lil'skeeter reply :
SHEWILLBEMINE....you've made a big mistake.......give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will.....have to buy more tackle, more rods, a boat, something to pull the boat, so on and so on....you're definitely hooked for life. Congrats and good luck!
Caylub reply :
I like how you put the Lure,Location,and Retrieve. For a noob like myself it is very helpful.
AngelaBarber reply :
http://www.ifisho.com/index.php?do=/forum/
Shewillbemine reply :
Went out again today. A little windy out on the ocean but not too bad. Still getting bites mostly on the live ghost shrimp (it's like candy to the fish) and had a few bass follow my spinnerbait/jerkbait but no strikes. My last fish bite was HUGE and unfortunately it wrapped me around kelp and I finally lost it after a 10 minute battle. One thing I truly appreciate about ocean fishing is that you literally have no idea what you're going to get. Here are the 2 bass I caught. Also got sheephead but didn't snap a pic. All fish were released.
Lure: Live Ghost Shrimp
Location: Dana Flats, next to kelp paddies
Retrieve: Bait & Wait
Yes, I'm wearing gloves because a) it's kinda cold and 
sea bass teeth are tougher than LMB teeth. I find that my thumb eventually gets cut up if I don't protect it somehow.
AK-Jax86 reply :
Got some nice fish there man
jignfule reply :
Wow, good job!!!
Shewillbemine reply :
Continued bass fishing in the ocean, using plastics. I've noticed that I was getting a lot of fish following my lures and short strikers.
I decided that scent is the key and I bought Uni Butter, which is more of a west coast staple I believe.
Lure: Dark Green Warbait/Jerkbait style on missile jighead
Location: Dana Flats, next to kelp paddies
Retrieve: Slow rolling (strike felt like 2 quick tugs in a row)
And I used more ghost shrimp while bass fishing and continued to catch female sheephead. Unfortunately it isn't the season for them so I can't keep any. The male sheephead are gnarly looking things but so far I've only caught females. Dunno why.
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