Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Species #5

**The picture depicted here may not necessarily represent my first catch of this species. It is simply the clearest and most beautiful picture I've taken of this species. The picture of my first catch of some species may not exist.**

If I hadn't started writing these stories, I would not have referenced back to my records. I had all but forgotten when and where I caught my first Largemouth Bass. I knew I caught it after my first Smallmouth Bass since the Smallmouth Bass was my first "Bass"; and it was before I caught my first Northern Pike since I caught a few bass that weekend and it wasn't much of a fuss.

I think it would be safe to say I caught it some time during the summer of 1997, since this was about the time in my early angling career that I set a specific goal - I would strive to catch a new species or a new personal best each year. Since I caught one of my biggest Largemouth Bass the following year, it only made sense this story took place in 1997.

It was one of these summer weekend that my dad's friend Paul invited my dad and I to fish at Pigeon Lake near Omemee. It was the earliest time I had ever woken up to go fishing since Paul would like to be on the water before sunrise. I remember looking at the clock and it read just a few minutes before 6am when we saw the sunrise. Paul had his own boat at the time and this would have been the first time I've ever fished on a boat. I can't remember if both his sons were there, but at least one of them was in my memory.

We launch the little tinny in the morning and proceeded to fish with worms and leeches. Our targets were Largemouth Bass, Sunfish species and anything else that wanted to bite. We spent all morning moving from one area to action catch the odd Sunfish. At the time, I remember thinking that boat fishing isn't really that much better than shore fishing. I still think shore fishing is just as great if not better than boat fishing if you have great spots.

At the time, Paul was an avid angler who fished frequently in the summer. While the fishing was slow, he captivated us with stories of Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon. Certainly, I learned a few things from Paul.

Toward the afternoon, we found a nice weed patch that were swarming with Sunfish. We anchored near the patch and allowed the wind to blow the boat in a circle around the anchor. It was this occasion where I learned the importance of staying on the spot. If the wind had blown us further from the weed patch, we would not even get a bit. Once we were close to the edge of the patch, it was fast and furious. My dad and I caught a lot of Sunfish and we keep quite a few. Then Paul caught a Largemouth Bass using a leech and all of us soon hooked up with leeches. This was the first time using a leech and it was a bit creepy at the time.

Unfortunately, I didn't catch any Largemouth Bass. The Sunfish were relentless and bit all our leeches before any more Bass were caught. Soon, it was getting toward sunset and we returned to the launch.

While Paul was pulling out the boat, I saw a swirl by the weed bed next to the dock. I immediately tied on a Rebel Pop-R, one of the limited lure that I had, and cast it out toward the swirl. I let the popper sit until the ripples had subsided, then gave the lure a downward twitch. I remember the loud popping sound the lure made. As I let the lure sit again, I happened to look away, probably due to something that Paul was doing as he pulled the boat out. It was then I heard a swirl.

I looked back toward my lure and could not find it. It then dawned on me that a fish had taken the lure under and I tightened the line to set the hook. Immediately, the fish jumped out of the water and then tried to dig deep into the weeds. However, it was no match for the gear I was using. After a few tense moment trying to lip the bass with all the treble hooks hanging out, I finally had the fish on the dock!

Much like all my earlier catches, I didn't have any photograph of this fish. I really don't know the reason since I had wanted a Largemouth Bass so badly for so long. The fish was just shy of 1.5lb and it was big enough to keep, and it did make a fine dish the next evening. I did learn a lesson that evening.

Lesson #5 - Fish will take your bait when you are least expected. Always stay focused!

Since I recalled my first Largemouth Bass now, it still put a smile on my face. I can see the jump clearly in the dying light. I wonder why this fishing memory had faded away so much compared to all the other memories. Perhaps I've caught a lot of Largemouth Bass since and there were even more astounding catches I've experienced. I'm happy this particular memory is now immortalized in writing and I can always look back to this in the future.

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