10-11-20
Hello Fishing Enthusiasts,
I hope you are all doing well. A few months ago (2 ½ months) to be exact, I shared that I caught over 50 Largemouth bass since the start of this year, but that I also wanted to land a Largemouth bass over 4 pounds.
As I began to catch Largemouth bass (averaging about 5 a month since January) I had no idea I would catch anything more than Stripers, especially using strictly artificial lures. Stripers were a sure “win-win,” while fishing with jerkbaits. Largemouth bass were fish I caught far and few between the Stripers I was targeting from the shore. Basically, all of that changed in January when I landed my first Largemouth bass of the year (weighing 3 ½ pounds) on a Rat L Trap lure.
As I caught my 50th Largemouth bass, I set a personal goal of landing a 4-pound Largemouth bass. Most of the Largemouth I have landed this year were all under 3 ¾ pounds with at least 3 bass hitting this mark. Honestly, I thought for sure that catching a bass at 4 pounds would be the ultimate for me probably happening later than sooner, but was at least a goal I could shoot for the rest of this year and finish out 2020.
This last week, I fished 3-night sessions in one general location: Vista Point Turnout #1. I was able to land a total of 15 fish (14 Stripers & 1 largemouth) all caught on jerkbait lures. Although I tried using different types of lures, I was unable to land any fish on them on each of the nights.
The first night fishing session I went out this week, I was able to land my Striper limit (10 1- 1 ½ lb. range). As I wrapped up and left, I handed my jerkbait lure to a friend as he wanted to stay longer. To my surprise, he sent me an enormous Largemouth bass picture, one of the biggest ones I have seen in a while. I’ll just leave it at that, oh and on that same lure…So, his journey is just beginning and he landed a nice one.
On another night in that same area, I landed 4 Stripers meeting up with my fishing buddy. The bite was a bit slower than usual on this day, but still a fun and productive bite with Stripers all weighing in the 1-1 ½ lb. range. My last fishing session was an amazing experience, as I landed my personal best Largemouth bass caught on a jerkbait lure.
This particular strike occurred within my first 20 casts, and hit really close to shore about 5-10 feet out splashing sporadically, pulling down to swim for cover. After that strike, I had no more strikes for the night. It was relatively slow action as the Striper did not come out to play.
To my surprise, I hit my goal of catching a Largemouth bass at or above 4 pounds. Mission accomplished! The bass I caught was actually over 1 ¼ pound more. I ask you this question, “Where are you in your fishing journey?” and “Have you set a goal?” Good luck out there to you.
