Bass opener could not have come at a better time! Life has been hectic lately. The job, although the opportunities are endless, has been tough. Longer hours and more stressful work means less evening and even weekend fishing.
But that's ok, cause it was bass opener!
The date always holds a special place in my heart. Why? Well, number one I was born on bass opener. Saturday June 28th, 1980. I was late. Mom was going to go under the knife at 11:52pm June 27th, but dad requested he wait until after midnight. I should also mention, dad was wearing a shirt that read: I'd rather be fishing. He has a photo holding me in it. Apparently the nurses weren't impressed.
I guess it was inevitable. I was going to fish for the luscious green backs!
With the extended winter and spring we had, I was worried how the fishing was going to be up in our northern getaway.
After arriving after a looooooong drive, we quickly unloaded and launched.
Launching went smoothly, especially with the higher water levels. We were soon back at the cottage dock and setting up rods.
Friday before bass opener is always a fun day. Anticipation runs high. The jabs flow freely between us. Dad still holds the record for the biggest largie, so he lays it on thick. Brian and John still don't have a nickel, so they take the brunt of the jokes. We love it!
A storm was brewing for Friday night, so we finished off the opener prep, and got to bed somewhat early. It was going to be a very early start Saturday morning. (alarms get set for 4:15am - on the water by 4:50am)
This was the last thing we saw before going to bed.
We fished for five days. The weather was up and down. Lots of wind. Every night bug one cold. That meant for cold water temps. Lows of 63, average of 65, highs of 68'ish ... only hit 70 degrees once in the trip.
Numbers were down, and average was "ok". But we did find some PIGS. Three of us caught our personal best bass, including myself, who took the pool of money (by only two ounces).
Here's some bass porn for ya'll. No Quinte numbers, that's for sure. But size that competes with any Canadian largie lake.
Around 11am on opener I had decided to try out a Gambler 4" Guido Hibdon tube. The package had an old price tag - 3 for $10. Manufacture date, 1996. Wow.
Oh well, lets give her a shot. We had been working the waters from 4' to 9', where the water temps were more stable....just dragging rubber and jigs on bottom. I figured with the hot sun, the shallows would likely start warming. There's a nice beaver dam that Dad and I found the first time we fished the lake. With the higher water level, I thought it could be money.
I was first to toss my tube jig rigged on an Owner weighted tube jig head and wham. I *** you not, my rod was almost ripped from my hands. No time to react, I set the hook with all I had. The 7'5" NRX loaded it like I've never seen it before. Get the NET!
Oh ya baby. Oh ya. Looking at the fish on the floor, I said it had to be a five right, it just had to? Well, it sure was five....well beyond.
New PB for me caught on a
4" Gambler Green Tube rigged with Owner weighted tubejig hook
Another shot of her.
We also found great smallies on cranks off the shoals and rocks.
Brian's new PB. She smacked a slow worked jig on bottom, found in scattered weeds in 5' of water.
And of course, my favourite braggin' shot!
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