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In addition to this being a report, it was also the final trial of testing a homemade minnow plug.

August 7, 2010 – In One Word – Unbelievable!


I got the green light to go fishing and headed out to the lake. It rained all day before which was a few steady days of dry, weather. I arrived at about 7:50 p.m. but didn’t break it out until it was much closer to sunset. I chatted with folks on the dock as I worked a Rapala Skitter Walk.

At 8:30 p.m., I put down the rig with the skitter walk and grabbed the one with the minnow lure. It was time for the trial. A couple I was talking to was hoping to see it catch something before they left. When, they were leaving, the lady said, “Just wait, you’re going to catch one right before we leave.” I was hopeful, but also just a wee bit doubtful.

This is going to be hard to believe, but right when they got to their car, I felt a hit. I didn’t take any chances, so I winched it in as if I were pulling a pig from the pads and swung it over the dock’s rail as you would into a bass boat. They saw the whole thing and were polite enough to cheer and send kind words my way before taking off. I am glad she was right and I was wrong.

I also just remembered just how sharp VMC hooks are. My effort to remove the treble from the bass’ mouth and it’s wriggling combined to make me drop the bass onto the dock. Yikes! Unfortunately, it caught the rear treble on the way down as shown in the picture. It stayed still long enough for this shot and for me to grab my pliers to remove the treble. I am relieved that it was not bleeding.


Bass number two came a few casts later, and it was much bigger. However, I reacted way too quickly and yanked it out of its mouth. Although the lure was a good 60 ft. or so away, it came flying back right at me. I moved to the side to avoid it and watched it whiz by me. You know those sentiments you feel and thoughts that run through your mind when you screw up and lost a fish is the result? Then I need not say more. Argh!

Bass number three came a few minutes later. This little, bad boy slammed the living dickens out of the minnow. Upon reeling him in, I found the belly treble in its mouth and tail treble right where you see it. This one preferred to play dead and that made it much easier to remove the hook and release him.



I was in a state of utter disbelief. I could not comprehend the minnow’s productivity. The little minnow went two for three. In baseball, that is a nice statistic, and on my home lake, where catching just one bass is the norm, going two for three is practically unheard of.

I will concede that until now, the black back, silver body, and red splotch throat color scheme has not been a player in my arsenal, despite the reputation that precedes it, as it is well affirmed by so many. After today, you can bet that I am now a member of that group. Thanks to everyone who recommended that color scheme and a very big thanks to Big M for his help. I still can’t get over the whole experience. Thanks and praise the Lord!

-ib

Toni

8/8/2010 8:07:00 AM

AMEN!

BentRod

8/8/2010 8:56:00 AM

Awesome! That must have been very satisfying. Good work.

medic1

8/8/2010 11:57:00 AM

congrats!

panfisher

8/8/2010 12:29:00 PM

You have come full circle "Grasshopper" / Your training is now complete O.B.1 has taught you well!!!! :)

Jake Dogfish

8/8/2010 5:57:00 PM

You are the man! You should start selling those lures. Thanks for the report.

natetreat

8/8/2010 8:55:00 PM

about how long is that minnow? I have one that's the same color that has been my goto lure. It suspends, and is about 3 1/2 inches long, but it's meant to be worked slow and floppy. It was my granddad's lure and is about fifty years old. Until the other day it's the only lure I've ever c aught a fish over 3 pounds with. I've been meaning to make another one, it's great to see someone else had the same idea!

islandbass

8/9/2010 12:16:00 AM

Just want to says thanks to everyone.

@ Pan - Ha! I'm still a padawan, but OB 1 is a good teacher.

@ nate - I just measured it. From nose to tail including the thru-wire ends it is 3 1/4". It is interesting you mentioned how it was intended to work. I tried straight retrieves and jerking and pausing (like an x-rap) and none of that did anything. It was not until I changed tactics and worked it exactly as you described that it started working. This one is a floater, but I hope to make suspenders and sinkers when I get a chance. Keep us posted on your project.

KBLACKKNIGHT50

8/9/2010 2:53:00 PM

No wonder you dont answer your phone. Good fishing Island Bass. Gene Coulon has been hot spot also. Answer your phone or call me and The Bluegill Babe.

natetreat

8/9/2010 11:37:00 PM

Wow, that's cool. Yea, the one that I have is made from some weird plastic, same color and everything. I'm always afraid to use it because you can't buy it anymore it's so old. If I were to lose it on a snag, which I've done once or twice, I have to go swimming for it. Why I'm gonna try and make one just like it, I gotta find some plastic that I can make a mold for. I could weight it and make it out of wood I think, but we'll see. I got stuff in the toolbox, just gotta mess around with it.

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