- Joined
- Jul 5, 2013
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Well guys I am happy to report that this morning was a day of firsts for this aspiring angler. I hit the water this morning around 06:15 and motored out to a small island the runs along the main channel. There were only about three other boats in the area but none on the side I decided to fish.
The side I fished had some tall weeds and water depth varied from 5' - 10'. For the first hour I was using a small spinner bait with a medium retrieve. Nothing happening there so I decided to Carolina rig a motor-oil colored worm with about a 3' leader. I have never caught a fish with a plastic worm before but decided to give it a try. I used the slow presentation recommended by you guys and after about 15 minutes I hooked my first fish. I don't think I got the hook set good enough because of the delayed sweep and what would have been my first fish ever caught with a worm broke free. Instead of being upset I was ecstatic that the fish were biting and I almost had my first worm bait catch!
I moved up the bank a little further and started noticing fish on the finder about 30' from the bank in about 10'-15' feet of water, so I started casting in a straight line parallel to the shore and working back to the boat with a slow - 'twitching' retrieve. I was now insight of another angler working the heavy brush in the northern most part of the island and was thinking to myself how nice it would be to catch something right in front of him because I am sure to the experienced angler I look like a complete idiot on the water. About this time, a strike and fish on the line. I set the hook and reeled him in. Nothing to brag about, just a young smallie but it may as well been a giant. I had caught my first ever fish using a worm, my first ever fish from a boat, and the first ever fish from my new boat!
I proceeded to catch three more fish before returning home but would have stayed out all day if it weren't for family obligations today.
A few things I learned today:
The side I fished had some tall weeds and water depth varied from 5' - 10'. For the first hour I was using a small spinner bait with a medium retrieve. Nothing happening there so I decided to Carolina rig a motor-oil colored worm with about a 3' leader. I have never caught a fish with a plastic worm before but decided to give it a try. I used the slow presentation recommended by you guys and after about 15 minutes I hooked my first fish. I don't think I got the hook set good enough because of the delayed sweep and what would have been my first fish ever caught with a worm broke free. Instead of being upset I was ecstatic that the fish were biting and I almost had my first worm bait catch!
I moved up the bank a little further and started noticing fish on the finder about 30' from the bank in about 10'-15' feet of water, so I started casting in a straight line parallel to the shore and working back to the boat with a slow - 'twitching' retrieve. I was now insight of another angler working the heavy brush in the northern most part of the island and was thinking to myself how nice it would be to catch something right in front of him because I am sure to the experienced angler I look like a complete idiot on the water. About this time, a strike and fish on the line. I set the hook and reeled him in. Nothing to brag about, just a young smallie but it may as well been a giant. I had caught my first ever fish using a worm, my first ever fish from a boat, and the first ever fish from my new boat!
I proceeded to catch three more fish before returning home but would have stayed out all day if it weren't for family obligations today.
A few things I learned today:
- Don't be afraid to look inexperienced. Ask for advice. Thanks guys!
- If a bait or technique is proven, keep trying until you figure it out. There is a reason why so many others swear by it. Be patient and persistent.
- I need an anchor for when I do find a place where fish are biting I wont have to troll as much to keep my position.
