First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

After a few swings/misses, spit hooks, and one unworthy dink, I finally landed my first 'real' Bass of the year. I should have known I would finally break the winter skunk at my favorite Union County pond. Hit the water around 10:30 pm and was throwing a senko on my new baitcasting set-up (still trying to master) hoping to finally christen it. I wasn't having any luck so I switched back to my old faithfull spinning rig with a 3/8 oz black/blue jig with a black zoom chunk trailer. Second cast I hooked up, and after a decent fight in the dark I ended up getting a bit wet and fishing her out by hand from the weeds/muck. No scale or tape measure but she was big enough for me to go home happy and relieved that the winter is drought is finally over!

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

Hope it's one of many nice Bass for you this season, night fishing is where it's at!

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

Nice catch!

Just a tip to make your life easier. Try the jig on the baitcaster and the Senco on the spinning setup. It will be easier to learn with the extra weight of the jig. :D

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

Thanks for the tip, I normally would have been using the reverse set-up as you suggested, the only reason I chose to use the Senko on my new baitcaster was because I really wanted to catch my first fish of season on my new combo and a black 5" Senko at night has always been my best producer at this pond. In fact until last night the only thing I had ever used successfully at this spot were soft plastics (senkos, rage craws, super flukes). So far in past two weeks black/blue jigs are the only lure that has gotten me a bite at 3 different UC ponds in my area. The bass have been striking the jigs on a faster retrieve than I would normally use at night as well. All bites have come from a medium paced, steady retrieve, just slow enough to bounce the jig along the bottom with periodic small jerks. Normally at night I would incorporate pauses and some lifts/drops but the steady retrieve seems to be working.

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

Nice BUCKETMOUTH dude! The feedbags are on and the fish are getting frisky! Good luck out there this year! Keep the reports rolling in!:D

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

I took the late afternoon shift, same pond yesterday. Skunked.
Couple dudes asked me about the fishing. I told them that there are no fish in there- I was just practicing casting. They believed me. Stay with that story.
Hehe.

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

Nice bass, looks really appealing there at your feet. Saw three vehicles over here near where I live earlier, towards sunset. I sure felt like being there, casting a spinnerbait. A day like today is about the only time you can catch bass in this particular pond. Anyhow, I would have an idea up my sleeve, but have to work late next two days. (Hey, maybe I should go cast in the dark.)

Re: First 'Real' Bass of 2016!
 

Ha, I always see the garbage left behind by other fisherman but have only encountered another angler maybe once or twice. To be honest, 90% of the fish I have pulled out of that puddle were after dark. The location has certain attributes that make it ideal for night fishing. I don't want to wear out my welcome this early in the season though, so Tonight I am going to hit up my usual nemesis -Nomahegan (fished there more times than i can count and have only caught a single Bass, but it was my PB:-). I Walked my dog around the back section this morning and saw Loads of crayfish so I think that's where I will start.