Hadn't been out to Long Lake for a little while so I decided to stop by while my girlfriend was at work. For the first hour I was working pads and weeds with a senko and a small perch floating rapala looking for some bass. I talked to one of the guys on a boat and he said he pulled out two 3+ lb LMB the day prior. I had No luck so I decided to go after some trout. I went to make my own lil liter set up like I used to do with catfishing back East. Had the hook set up about 2 ft. from the weight and casted out with a worm. BAM got a really solid hit but missed it because a guy on a boat was trying to maneuver to get his kids. So 20 minutes later BAM solid hit, the bam starts pulling my rod so I pull up set the hook and its about a 13-14" trout. I don't know my trout but maybe its a koakonee? It had yellow tips on its fins and was well spotted. Help me out =). I ran to the car to look for the bucket, well my girlfriend washed my car and took the bucket out. So I had to use my 5' stringer. I really need a longer one. After that I got another worm on and casted out to the same location. 5 minutes later pulled up a nice 12 incher. Same coloring as the first. I have never had trout fight like these two. They were jumping and trying to dive, but little did they know, I work out =). Needless to say I landed them both and upset a fellow fisher who ended up getting skunked.

After those two it slowed down and the other fisherman decided to pack up and was on his way out when I decided to practice my technique with a top water frog lure. Since the trout stopped biting I might as well get some productive time on the water. I casted out to the deepest thickest pads and started a nice retrieve. Hopping from pad to pad and flicking the rod tip to make the lure kick. At this point the guy walked behind me and said don't catch all of the fish. I started to say I won't because I am about to BAMMMM! A bass JUMPS out of the pads out of nowhere. Scares the S*&*% out of me. Being a rookie at froggin' I instantly try to set the hook and I end up pulling the frog out of the basses mouth. I know I suck at life. It looked and sounded like a 5+lber. Just a beast. I was using a swivel for quick changes and after that strike my swivel is now bent up. Had to use needlenoses to get the frog off.

Well that's how my day went. I almost hooked my first bass of the year. There's always next time, but I pray to God that I don't defecate myself again.

RB

---