Little and large

[Little grey men]

Trudged down the track to the water at North Pine Dam early Saturday morning with the stars just starting to fade. Fishing on my lonesome today, the night before my boy and I had a Doctor Who and popcorn night...he was far too tired for pre dawn bassin.
I had one of those days where I just wanted to try different lures. Two hours fishing saw me using about eight different lures, and basically just having a bit of a muck around.
Tossing light weight stuff close to the grass in the early hours produced five bass, It's funny how I can get a kick out of even catching a 15cm bass, imagine how happy I get when I get big bass. I tossed a lightly weighted Gulp shrimp on a beetlespin parrallel to the grass sticking out of the water, I'm guessing less than two metres deep. A slow retrieve back and the lure was hit once, very hard...one of those hits that makes you go....ohhhhhhh !!! with wide eyes. Like getting a thump in the arm.
I slowed the retrieve down with no luck, so I quickly opened the bail arm on the reel and sent the stinky little fake shrimp back to it's original position, let it sink for a little while and was mentally preparing for the fight to come. This time I didn't feel any strike at all, just weight on the end of the line, weird bite indeed. The fish powered off in the opposite direction very fast, the drag on my little reel was wound pretty tight but it was unwinding very quickly with that sweet sweet sound. Heading straight for a real thick tangle of weed I had to pull the fish up hard, a lot harder than I would have liked, but the amount of grass in the water out there really makes you take chances. The fish was turned and came to the top of the thick grass directly in front of me, I flicked my rod over to tip the fish, I remember seeing Peter Morse do this in one of the Fishing DVD's...worked a treat to quiten the fish down. With it laying on it's side on top of the greenery I grabbed the leader and started walking backwards to a small patch of clear bank. 48cm fork length...and chunky.With a nice loud YEAH !!! I was happy enough to call it a day.
Bass lollies that did the damage were, Sliders, Jackall TN 50, Bassman spinnerbaits and a Gulp shrimp on a light jighead.
The bottom is still very snaggy so the light lures can make the day much more pleasant.

[bruza80]

Nice fish mate.

What area were you fishing in

[Little grey men]

What area were you fishing in

Where we first ran into each other. bit harder to get there but worth the effort.

[jim_bream]

Obe-Wan Bassnobi,
the force is strong in you..... (I used it in another post and liked it so much I used it again)
Hmmm, will have to try a shrimp or two next time I'm down there. Dunno what I was doing wrong cos it looked like I was in pretty much the same spot as you (recognise the 'scenery') There was a little 'bay' to the right of you with some tree branches sticking out the water????
Anyhoo, keep the good work.
Jimbo

[BR65]

solid fish LGM, good stuff. Looks like its time I had another crack down there

[rc@hinze]

Always enjoy your reports LGM. Its good to just have relaxed sessions when you can play around and try different things. A real bonus while having such a session is to score a good size fish like you did. There sure is something about the pulling power of a good sized bass on light gear. - Richard.

[Little grey men]

looked like I was in pretty much the same spot as you (recognise the 'scenery') There was a little 'bay' to the right of you with some tree branches sticking out the water????

Hey Jimbo, sounds like the place, you must have come in from the other direction. Hard going from that way mate. I haven't been around to that little bay since the water rose ( and the crazy grass grew ). I remember the branches poking out of the water though. Great big old tree stump around that way....really good fish holding snag now i'd say.
I'll be heading there in about two weeks time...I'll give you a yell.

[Obi _ Wan]

That's a great report LGM and a good result, very satisfying.

Still plenty of Bass in NPD mate, the group must have caught, tagged and released over a thousand Bass a month ago. If you, or anyone else catches a tagged fish please make the report, it should assist greatly in fish stocking info.

Cheers,
John.

[Cammy]

very nice LGM, i gotta get out there and give it a go by the sounds of it. u recon i should use HB, floating? what types can you recommens me that dont cost too much and provide fish and dont get snagged, if tehres such a lure out there lol.

nice fish again mate, you always produce the goods!

Cammo

[Little grey men]

Hey cammy,
Usually when I first arrive I tie on a soft plastic rig, theres still a lot of snags on the bottom so I use a beetlespin to help swim it just clear of the submerged grass. A lightweight jighead with a paddletail grub is a good start.
A packet of beetspins will set you back about $7 or $8. for three. Paddletail grubs. Go for a quality brand, Sliders are really good. I like Tennesee shad colour, about $10 to $12 a packet. I'd happily fish with this particular lure all day but I've got a few different types so I like to make sure they all have a swim.
I'm starting to use heavier lures lately as the underwater grass is slowly getting softer. But I'm still not letting them sink all the way down...I understand you got a hold of some Spro's (good gear ) Cast that little puppy out, let it sink for a couple of seconds and start swimming it back in as slow as you dare. Spros aren't that heavy so they're good at the moment. Clipping the lead treble hook off will make sure you keep it for a little while longer too.
Explore the place, I know this can be difficult at the moment with the jungle growing out there, but you'll come across them soon.
Also remember to cover the area that your fishing, don't be afraid to cast sideways up the bank or just a few metres in front of you. I see a lot of people out there casting as far as they can but at certain times of the day ( early morning, late afternoon ) the bass will be playing near the edge.
Here's a pic of the lures that have taken fish for me in the last few weeks.
Some are costly but some are cheap as chips and they all produce fish.
Hope this helps mate.

[jim_bream]

LGM, sounds good. I have to work on the Anzac Friday (and Tinnie & Tackle show straight after) so maybe that Sat morning? Any hoo, let me know how ya go (0422 448 400) I might meet ya down there.
I'll be the one with a Shimano Tiagra and "L" plates on my back... lmfao
BTW, where are you getting your Sliders? I had a look at BCF Keperra & ##### on Stafford Rd- no joy.... Might have to gives Jones Tackle on Lutwych Rd a try. Oooh, that reminds me, they have a cheap Bubble Pop 35 imitation right next to the register $5 a pop (scuse the pun) arf arf
Jimbo

[Little grey men]

I get my Sliders from Jones tackle. Good range of bass lures there.
Hard to walk out of that place without squeezin something on the Visa.
I'll most likely be fishing early on the Saturday morning.....5:30ish. I was going to fish Friday until the wife told me about a little family BBQ that her and her Mum planned....RAAAAARRGH !!!!! Eating a BBQ breakfast with the Mother in law sure beats bass fishing hey ? NOT

[jim_bream]

Damn!! Last time I went into Jones Tackle I left $65 lighter, although went down to the River afterwards & nailed 2 lizards and 2 cod in 3 hours. Musta sold me something right....
As for breakfast with the mother-in-law, all I can suggest is take a Boca-Grip and use gloves. They flap around once ya lip 'em.... >:-)
LMFAO ha ha ha ha
P.S. This Saturday or next weekend (ANZAC w/e)?

[barra_mauler001]

Looks like a wide variety of lures are working at NPD.. thanks for the great report LGM!

cheers barra

[Little grey men]

Anzac weekend Jimbo, heading to Awoonga in the morning for a few days.....YEEEEHAAAAA !!!