Why I can't fish for bass

[Pilchard]

Since moving to TN, my fishing gear has mostly just collected dust. I used to fish almost exclusively in saltwater back in FL but occasionally I would take a kid to fish the pond in my neighborhood to expose them to the thing I was so passionate about. The pond was about 250 yds from the estuary and even though it was landlocked, we had many saltwater fish in it, presumably from storm surge flooding over the years. I would have the kids start by catching bluegills and then we would put them on a hook under a float and see what eats them. It was not uncommon to catch a 30lb tarpon or a 40 inch snook but you had to first get past the bass. They were a nuisance, even the ones in the 8-10 lb range. Below are a couple pictures of my niece who caught both fish. She was excited to catch the bass too... even though it fought like a wet paper bag

 

[RUGER]

Very cool!

 

[Dbllunger]

I feel ya Pilch. After years of putting big rockfish in the boat, largemouth bass just don't turn my crank. Pound for pound they just don't compare to rockfish, hybrids, stripe, smallmouth and big bluegill. Walleye, crappie and bluegill when I'm hungry but only the bluegill of those three puts up a real good fight.

 

[fairchaser]

Bream and crappie are the only freshwater fish I want to catch. The main reason is when I catch one, they are so close to crisco my mouth starts watering. When it turns out to be a bass; I just think stupid fish!

 

[Buzzard Breath]

If I got out-fished by a kid everytime, I probably wouldn't want to fish for them either.

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Since moving to TN, my fishing gear has mostly just collected dust. I used to fish almost exclusively in saltwater back in FL but occasionally I would take a kid to fish the pond in my neighborhood to expose them to the thing I was so passionate about. The pond was about 250 yds from the estuary and even though it was landlocked, we had many saltwater fish in it, presumably from storm surge flooding over the years. I would have the kids start by catching bluegills and then we would put them on a hook under a float and see what eats them. It was not uncommon to catch a 30lb tarpon or a 40 inch snook but you had to first get past the bass. They were a nuisance, even the ones in the 8-10 lb range. Below are a couple pictures of my niece who caught both fish. She was excited to catch the bass too... even though it fought like a wet paper bag

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Nice story bro, perhaps wear that "sloot life" shirt up here and you may get you a nice tarpon

 

[Chickenrig]

Since moving to TN, my fishing gear has mostly just collected dust. I used to fish almost exclusively in saltwater back in FL but occasionally I would take a kid to fish the pond in my neighborhood to expose them to the thing I was so passionate about. The pond was about 250 yds from the estuary and even though it was landlocked, we had many saltwater fish in it, presumably from storm surge flooding over the years. I would have the kids start by catching bluegills and then we would put them on a hook under a float and see what eats them. It was not uncommon to catch a 30lb tarpon or a 40 inch snook but you had to first get past the bass. They were a nuisance, even the ones in the 8-10 lb range. Below are a couple pictures of my niece who caught both fish. She was excited to catch the bass too... even though it fought like a wet paper bag

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I feel you my friend
I lived in Jupiter and fished three days a week
Thought i would die on my boat
I moved to SE Alabama 3 yrs ago
Stocked my ponds but very rarely fish for more than 20 minutes any more
I reckon life happens and changes are inevitable
Just pray to our God we are here tomorrow to make the choice to fish or not
Carry on

 

[Spurhunter]

I'm not sure what the purpose of this post is , except to tell us backwoods hicks that what we consider trophy fish are a nuisance catch in the utopia that is Florida, but if I missed home as much as you do I would move back. Life is too short to spend everyday wishing you were somewhere else. I guess I'm happy I was born and raised in Tennessee and can be completely satisfied fishing for wet paper bags.

 

[Pilchard]

Not an attack on you or the great people of TN, Spurhunter. Sorry you took it personally. I miss fishing, I don't miss Florida. I love TN and all that it has to offer, even the backwoods hicks. I am a hillbilly from WV after all.

The point of my post is that I don't understand what all the rage is about. I realize I'm the weird one. Bass are the most popular game fish in the US…. Although I'd argue that's only because tarpon don't swim in all 50 states

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

I'm not sure what the purpose of this post is , except to tell us backwoods hicks that what we consider trophy fish are a nuisance catch in the utopia that is Florida, but if I missed home as much as you do I would move back. Life is too short to spend everyday wishing you were somewhere else. I guess I'm happy I was born and raised in Tennessee and can be completely satisfied fishing for wet paper bags.

Someone said it! I tell you what, an 8 pound, 10 pound bass is a DAMN good fish any dang DAY (this is coming from someone who has done chartered trips for swordfish in the keys with famed Nick Stanczyk and his family from Bud N Marys). So to come here and talk ish like that, I agree with SPUR!!!

 

[Spurhunter]

Not an attack on you or the great people of TN, Spurhunter. Sorry you took it personally. I miss fishing, I don't miss Florida. I love TN and all that it has to offer, even the backwoods hicks. I am a hillbilly from WV after all.

The point of my post is that I don't understand what all the rage is about. I realize I'm the weird one. Bass are the most popular game fish in the US…. Although I'd argue that's only because tarpon don't swim in all 50 states

If you can flip a jig into a lay down, see your line jump and start swimming off, set the hook on a 5 pound large mouth, and then try to wrestle him out of the limbs, or watch a 4 pound smallmouth jumping out of the water all the way to the boat with your hook in his mouth and not get excited bass fishing just isn't for you. Different strokes for different folks. I wish more people felt like you so the lakes weren't so dang crowded!

 

[Pilchard]

Someone said it! I tell you what, an 8 pound, 10 pound bass is a DAMN good fish any dang DAY (this is coming from someone who has done chartered trips for swordfish in the keys with famed Nick Stanczyk and his family from Bud N Marys). So to come here and talk ish like that, I agree with SPUR!!!

Sorry you took it as talking "ish".

BTW, The guy who runs Nick's old Freeman is someone I grew up fishing with on Pine Island Sound. His name is Chase. We were quite close for a while until he did some shady stuff and was run out of the SWFL fishing scene.

We all have things that we like/dislike. I tend to prefer clear moving water where the bite is visual and the fish test your tackle. The sound of a screaming drag is something I miss but it doesn't mean I don't like seeing the pictures of everyone's TN trophies.

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Sorry you took it as talking "ish".

BTW, The guy who runs Nick's old Freeman is someone I grew up fishing with on Pine Island Sound. His name is Chase. We were quite close for a while until he did some shady stuff and was run out of the SWFL fishing scene.

We all have things that we like/dislike. I tend to prefer clear moving water where the bite is visual and the fish test your tackle. The sound of a screaming drag is something I miss but it doesn't mean I don't like seeing the pictures of everyone's TN trophies.

what was the shady stuff?

and bass are fun, anyway you cut it.

 

[Pilchard]

I'd rather not share the details publicly. I am sure by now he has paid the price and has probably learned his lesson.

 

[NumberOne]

I get what you are saying. I think most people bass/crappie fish for the puzzle the "thump". That's the rewarding part to me. The puzzle and the bite. A good fight is fine. Makes me more nervous than anything though that they are going to come off.

On the other end of the spectrum, tournament bass fishing is another game in itself. A two pound bass at times will have your knees shaking when you get it in the boat if you think it may win you a tourney. All fishing is exciting to people. I rather get the shakes from excitement than physical exertion of fighting a fish for 1.5 hours though haha.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I tend to prefer clear moving water where the bite is visual ......

I understand this. That's what makes smallmouth on poppers and deer hair bugs so much fun.

 

[Lost Lake]

Smallmouth rule.

 

[Spurhunter]

I get what you are saying. I think most people bass/crappie fish for the puzzle the "thump". That's the rewarding part to me. The puzzle and the bite.

Excellent point about the puzzle. There is nothing like the day where you dial it in and you just know if I find a piece of cover that looks like this, in this depth range, and throw this bait in there, I am going to get bit.

 

[Headhunter]

Once you catch saltwater fish, or truly hard pulling fish, like stripers on hybrids, it does not take long that a bass is truly a non factor in being a "fighting" fish. Well smallmouth put up a decent fight, but largemouth are for sure "slugs" in comparison.

 

[Spurhunter]

Once you catch saltwater fish, or truly hard pulling fish, like stripers on hybrids, it does not take long that a bass is truly a non factor in being a "fighting" fish.

I've caught stripers, rockfish, and hybrids. They hit like a dump truck and fight like you owe them money. But, anyone that says largemouth don't fight needs to come fish the MS River. Theses LMB are used to current and plenty strong. Especially when you hook him deep in a laydown or brush top.