Made another try

I had some chores to do today, but went fishing to make another try just early in the morning. I visited a different place from  yesterday for change. Of course I started with the same Chugger Spook as yesterday, though I replaced the hooks.

Just after I started fishing (in about 10 minutes), a nice fat bass hit my bait and it disappeared from the water surface. I set a hook hard, and cautiously fought with the fish. I didn't want to make the same mistake as yesterday, and it was lucky for me to catch it today.

 

Today's tackle: ABU Ambassadeur 5000 De Luxe, Phillipson #705, Daiwa Sight Surf #5, Heddon Chugger Spook, Luck 13, 2nd Zara Spook, Pico Pop, etc. 

BF=2/6/2

Re-finishing old rods

I've been working to re-finish two of my old rods. I don't like straight-type grips at all, and like off-set bent grips much better. I decided to remove original aluminum handles from these two old Phillipson rods, and did it a couple of weeks ago.  

Today I attached guides on the blanks, wrapped threads, and just finished the first vanish on them. One is wrapped with olive thread with white spiral trims, and the other is with black thread with gold tapes. These two rods are exchangeable with each other, and I'm looking forward to using them for fishing soon.

Got skunked

I went fishing early this morning. About 20 minutes after I started, I got one bite on my Chugger Spook and set a hook, but lost the fish just before I tried to catch it. What a poor fisher I am! It was the one and last reaction from fish, and as a result I got skunked.

I saw a few pre-spawning bass mating in shallow areas. I wished them a good luck and smooth spawning.

Today's tackle: ABU Mag II, Fenwick GFC-60, Daiwa Sight Surf #4, Heddon Original Zara Spook, 2nd Zara Spook, Chugger Spook, Luck 13, etc. 

BF=1/5/1

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After I got back, I checked the hooks of my Chugger Spook. I made all the hooks barbless long ago, but I didn't notice it. I should have paid much attention to my lures.

Just started

I got up 04:30 am, and went fishing. It was just a little bid warmer than last week, but I still felt frozen before dawn. In the first pond I visited, I got no reactions from fish at all, so I headed the next one.

Water color of the second pond was a little muddier maybe due to rainfall during last week. I expected good things, because I presumed muddy water had gathered more volume of heat than clear water. I cast my Chugger Spook (XRW) in a small spot near dried-up reeds, paused several seconds, and gave it a few dog-walk chugging actions. Something dark slowly and quietly jumped to my bait, and I set a hook hard twice. I tensely fought with the fish, but I could catch it easier than I was afraid. It was a nice bass, though a little skinny, but size doesn't matter at all. I'm now realizing the first bass in each season is always special for fishers, and of course for me, too.

Today's tackle: ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (Clear/Blue Fluorescent), Heddon Basser, 2nd Zara Spook, Chugger Spook, Luhr Jensen Bass Oreno, Storm Shallo Mac, etc. 

BF=1/2/1

New toy

I've been feeling a strange feeling on my left knee, and I was thinking to buy a new bike in spring to keep my basic cardiorespiratory function. Today I visited a shop near my place to find one. It's for the first time in these 25 years for me to get a new bike, and I was very surprised to try some, as they're all too light and go smoothly. I bought a kind of 'cross bikes' called here, but I guess it is a Japanese English. Anyway, it is a hybrid type bike for both on- and off- roads for fitness. I wasted little time to take a trial ride today, in about 30km (18-19 miles), and I felt it was just as hard as a 10km jogging/running. I'm not a child, but it's nice to get a new toy to work out.
 

No pictures of fish

I went our for bass fishing for the first time in 2017. It was too cold and my car showed below freezing air temperature. I felt warm around my body and legs, as I wore a new thick neoprene waders, but my fingers got paralyzed. I couldn't tie lines smoothly when I started fishing. Anyway, I got skunked and saw no aquatic creatures at all, though I felt early spring with plenty of whistle of wild birds. I have to be patient for a few more weeks, maybe.

Today's tackle: ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (Clear/Blue Fluorescent), Heddon wood Lucky 13, Basser, 2nd Zara Spook, Chugger Spook, Pico Pop, Rapala F18, etc. 

BF=0/1/0

Have been busy

I've been too busy working since the beginning of this year, but now I'm feeling I've passed the most critical time. Now, I'm preparing for my fishing season 2017, and would like to go out for fishing as soon as possible.

Here's my album in Jan-March.