Newer member saying hi and landing first 'lunker'

[Snake2715]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to chime in and thank you all for the great board. I am 27 and have been a member for a short time, doing lots of reading. I have fished casually for the last 22 years. Mostly with my Grandfather.

In late 2004 he passed unexpectadly due to Lung Cancer. Diagnosed in October gone December 12th. Last year I took a bigger interest in getting out to fish due to this reason.

I have been out only a handful of times this year. The first few times I was not confident enough to use the plastic method (as I had never fished those type of baits or methods before).

Recently a buddy and me were out and not getting much from shore. We switched to my rigged up plastic worms I had made in 2005. We immediately saw a difference. Within 1 1/2 hours we landed 9 smaller bass up to 15" or so.

This week my father-in -law, and I decided late on the 3rd to go out yesterday morning. Since I didnt bring my boat, and his is not really setup for fishing we went to a nearby lake with boat rentals.

We were out for 3 hours and I fished the whole time with my new found methods! Besides battling winds and not having an anchor we managed to catch 15+ bass in 3 hours time (7:30-10:30 am). At about 10 am I got the bite I will never forget.

We landed the 22 1/2 inch, 4 1/2 lbs largemouth. I will never forget the sight of its mouth opening near the end of the fight, as she rose from the deep! Just huge!

I could have put my fist, or probably a cd in its mouth. It was very unporportianate large head and smaller tail. I am thinking it was a younger bass. I let it go as I really had no intent on keeping it or any fish. Regretably we left the camera in the car. SO all I have is the memory and excitment to last me.

Almost everyone on the way in asked us if we caught anything, most didnt believe what we caught but regardless its a 4th of July we wont soon forget!