First Big Largemouth of 2010

I decided to “hit up” my “home lake” on the way home at about 6:50 p.m. this evening and fortunately for me, there weren’t that many swimmers on the dock. The crankbait produced for me yesterday evening (caught a nice 2 lb. bass at about 9:20 pm) and so I went with it again since the conditions were the same and the time frame relatively close.

About ten minutes later I felt a light hit and instinctively went through the mechanics of the hook set. Immediately after that, my first thought was dear Lord; this is a really good one. The second thought was this battle is taking place on a dock amid wooden pilings and I only have 8# monofilament.

The next thoughts that came to mind were that I had to be patient, maintain pressure and tension on the line and play this lovely fish out.

I definitely got into the right mode, focusing on the task at hand and remained in the zone. Even with all of my attention given to battle, there was still some room for a silent prayer in the back of your mind, “Dear Lord, please don’t let me lose this one. Puh – lease!!!!!” She dove down under the dock multiple times, and tugging and pulling in different directions. I matched each of her points with an equal counterpoint and let my rod and reel do the work what they were designed to do.

Eventually, the battled ended and I was able to lip her relatively safely.

I hadn’t noticed that people had gathered around staring at the fish until I looked up. A fellow bass angler was gracious enough to take some photos and strangely, other people broke out their phones and took shots.

I went into my own version of what I call “Iaconelli’ing” it, embarrassing myself in front of the onlookers shouting things like, “Yeah!! That’s what it’s all about!! Yeah!! Praise the Lord!! Can I get an amen?” (hee hee) It is just too tough to contain this kind of elation.

I released her after I removed the crankbait and to my relief, she didn’t need reviving. She vigorously swam away.

She leaves to hopefully battle another day, and I leave grateful for the encounter with a heart still beating rapidly and hands still shaking with excitement as I walk back to my car.

I did not weigh her because I don’t have a scale and truthfully, I could care less how much she really weighed. The battle rides high on my list while fish weight is left off.


Conditions
Partly Cloudy about 70 degrees

Gear
7’ 2-piece Med Powered, Fast Action Cabelas Mag-Touch casting Rod
Shimano Curado 101D reel loaded with 8# Red Spiderwire Mono
Cotton Cordell crankbait – Don’t recall name but it was brown on top with a yellow bottom.

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