"Welcome-2-The-Darkside"

[BassinBomber]

Hey Bassers,..I'm curious 2 know when your conversion was made form fishing for whatever species you fished for, 2 Bassin. For me,..well seriously,..I made the change as of May 2006,..caught my PB Bucketmouth in 05-2005 and that's what hooked me,..but didn't really commit 2 Bassin till last season,..before that it was all RBT/German Browns,..I'm not sure if there are alot of members that start out fishing for Bass and stay that way,..I know of alot who have crossed over and pretty much stay there,..but I'm wondering about all the other members and their experiences in Bassin,..where/when/how their search began for the "Elusive Bucketmouth" and the "Fighting Bronzeback"!

BB

[bassmasterderek]

I grew up catching bass and catfish. I love catching catfish but bass fishing really stuck to me. I am not sure if it was because it kept me busy changing baits, casting to different locations, or just pissing my dad off because I always caught more bass but ever since I have enjoyed bass fishing. I have tried salmon fishing, trout fishing, redfish fishing, and many other but bass just excite more every day and I am always learning new things and always will.

[TroutCowboy]

As a kid I'd always go out fishing with my grandfather, and he always preferred to troll with leaded line and cowbells. Not particularly exciting for a young kid to cruise around at a yawn-inducing 1mph. Then I went back to Minnesota with him one summer and we spent a week fishing the lakes out there. I remember I couldn't believe the size of the lures we were using, like these huge Red Devil spoons and life-sized mouse lures! Well anyway the first bass that just erupted from under the lure was all it took for me. Between the bass and the huge pike I just couldn't get enough of that attack and the battle to get him to the boat.

I spent about 10 years fishing mostly trout via flyfishing but that was mostly due to my living situation and the availability of good rivers vs. good lakes (not to mention I didn't have a boat).

These days I mix it up depending on the water I'm on, but I still prefer pursuing bass. Most recently I've turned into a bit of a pike junkie, but I love the variety in lures, presentations and the strategy that goes into targeting bass.

Great idea for a thread!

[AaronE]

I grew up in Georgia and had several swamps, creeks, and small ponds near my house. Most of my fishing was spent for either catfish or bowfin, both of which were prevalent every place close to me. I was 12 and would ride my bike out to the swamp, throw a line in, and be catching 10 pound bowfin in minutes.

Then a friend of mine invited me to go fishing with him one weekend. A friend of his dad's owned a private pond and said we could fish it anytime we wanted. He had an old jon boat there so Robert and I climbed in and started fishing.

Now, this pond was maybe the size of a football field, if that. He had built it himself about 20 years earlier, and it had stumps, laydowns, cat tails - all the stuff bass love. On my first cast, using a brand new Heddon Tiny Torpedo I'd just bought, I hooked into a largemouth. I'd dropped it right next to a stump, let it sit for a minute and then barely twitched it. The water exploded underneath it. I remember thinking "Wow, what just happened?!" when Robert starts yelling "You got it! You got it!!"

I set the hook... and I was hooked, too.

My first bass was 7 pounds. I thought it was the biggest bass in the world. Mr Pace, who owned the pond, was watching from his deck and came down to weigh it for us. We slid her back into the water to catch another time and Mr Pace said, "Next cast, try to catch one of the big ones."

Big ones???

Oh yeah. I was hooked.

[BassFanatic]

Great question BB it started for me when I was a kid fishing with my dad. he bought this Roland Martin edition spinnerbait that nailed bass and as a kid watching him with this weird looking thing I knew I had to get one. that next summer e bought me my own bass pole and spinnerbait and after hooking into that first bass it was pretty much a wrap from then on. Don't get me wrong I still love fishing for other species but bassin is te primary.

[shawn]

I am just starting to dabble with the Dark Side.Being born in Louisianna and lived in N.Carolina til about age 11.Nearly all the fishing we did was for bass and catfish.Since living in Wa for almost 20 years my attention has changed towards to trout via flyfishing and of course Salmon.I am just getting back into bassin.So I am looking foward to a new adiction.

[Jsmooth]

I have loved fishing all my life, mainly for the peace and quiet & relaxation. But last fall I started targeting bass and I have found my new love! I don't have ADD but it is hard for me to stay inactive for verry long (unless im blazed) so I immediatly became addicted to the constant pace of bass fishing. Weather it's switching baits, retrieves, or tecnique all together it's a very active sport this bass fishing. I have picked up the pace this year and have had lots of fun with it. I'm hoping to meet up with and get out fishing w/ some Spokane members next spring.

[joshswrench]

Started getting big into bassin about 3 years ago. Before that it was strictly trout. I have a good friend of mine to thank for the introduction to. I enjoy it a lot more than trout fishing mainly because it's more of an art form than the usual drop a worm to the bottom and let it sit till a fish bites. Since then my personal best is a 4lb small mouth caught out of Riffe lake this past 4th of July.

[BassinBomber]

I also appreciate the challenge of fishing for LMB/SMB,..knowing that a PB is available with every cast,..searching structure, weedlines and docks,..not knowing what they will hit and what 2 tie on your line next,..having somewhat of an idea,..but really not knowing for sure,..makes the "Sport-of-Bassin" alot more enticing for me,..always on the move,..always trying 2 figure them out,..sure beats sitting there watching a worm and bobber,..LOL,..when the Bass weren't biting I used 2 do that and fish for Perch,..now I just keep cranking and sooner or later a Perch always seems 2 find my bait,..LOL,..great replies people,..interesting reads,..keep-em-a-comin!

BB

[kevinb]

I hooked into my first lmb at Five Mile Lake in Federal Way,around age 8.Not even a nice catch by any standards but being my first...it rocked. I got the itch then...however,just months later we moved to Port Angeles. I found out the hard way that their is no reall bass fishing anywhere in the area. So I went back to trout(the trout fishing is great up there)
While on vacation traveling through Canada,I caught my first smallie in Alberta. I don't recall the weight but would guess around 2.5lbs but its possible that over the years it gained weight in my head. Its only been recently that I've been targeting bass on a more regular basis. I still have alot to learn but a big thanks to all that have shared tips.

[Ditch Pickler]

i i started fishing for freshwater bass mid summer 2005 in WA. TDOT got me hooked into bass fishing. Before that i was a big game striper fanatic. Growing up in the bay area, me and my dad fished for stripers at least 4 times a week. My Dad has been fishing for stripers since 74' back in New york where the stripers are even bigger!!!

One day i will move back to Ca, so my style of bassin can get to the next level! One day

[HillbillyGeek]

I'm from Springfield Missouri which is where the headquarters of Bass Pro Shops is located. Needless to say, bass fishing is VERY popular in that region of the country and there's a ton of pressure from a zillion anglers.

It was refreshing to move to the northwest and discover that the majority of anglers are not interested in bass. YEE HAW! I love it! :thumright

The REAL challenge is finding the time to go fishing...

Don't get me wrong; I am very grateful to have a job -- especially given the current state of the economy.

But being unemployed did have a few advantages...

[BassinBomber]

i i started fishing for freshwater bass mid summer 2005 in WA. TDOT got me hooked into bass fishing. Before that i was a big game striper fanatic. Growing up in the bay area, me and my dad fished for stripers at least 4 times a week. My Dad has been fishing for stripers since 74' back in New york where the stripers are even bigger!!!

One day i will move back to Ca, so my style of bassin can get to the next level! One day

I'm originally from Cali 2,..San Pedro/Long Beach area,..would love 2 go Bassin in Cali,..! Only Ocean fished in Cali,..would be nice 2 get down for some Bass!


BB

[Anonymous]

I had never even seen a bass until maybe 3-4 years ago. I had always fished alpine lakes for trout or just fished lakes that were heavily populated with trout, and this fished in a manner that wouldn't be targeting bass.
However.. about 3 years ago I went with T-Dot to an anonymous lake and he showed me a glimpse of the "Dark side" What it was really, was that I was fishing a chatter bait fast along the top. I cast it over by this downed log, almost instantly it got hit by a fish. Maybe it was just me and being new...but the fish hit the bait on the top of the water and it seemed as though it was a small animal thrashing in the water. Seemed to explode. Of course being used to waiting for trout to nibble, I was way to slow on the hook set, and the fish ran into the brush.. game over.
To this day bass is primarily the fresh water fish I like to fish for. I have caught fish, but I have had a hard time getting anything very large. My 9 y/o caught his first bass on LK. WA. at about 2.5 lbs, and has outdone me completely.

[BassinBomber]

"If you keep Bassin, they will come",..LOL,..but yea keep on Bassin Bro and in due time the Bigguns will hit your bait,..serious Bassin is hard work,..Bigger bait might help you,..I know it has for me!

BB

[Gringo Pescador]

Just this season for me - Just wanted to see what all the hub-bub was about and when I decide I want to learn something, I pretty much go full bore until I feel I've got a handle on it. Don't have a handle on this yet, but getting there! I haven't stopped fishing for other species, but if I am not looking for table fare, I would much rather C&R bass than trout! And the fact that you can actually find some decent sized fish, close to home is a big plus too! Saved me a ton of gas $$ compared to other seasons searching for big silver fish.

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

The past few season it has been about catching a fish .. it didnt matter which fish. But this season a friend took me out on his boat for some bass fishing. And I took it ... hook, line ans sinker. I cannot believe how much fun I have out on the water and along with that being a diabetic it is amazing on how well my blood sugars are when I am fishing. Getting my float tube was one of the best investments I have done. Each time on the water only makes me want to get back out there once I pull the tube out of the water.

[bob johansen]

I also appreciate the challenge of fishing for LMB/SMB,..knowing that a PB is available with every cast,..searching structure, weedlines and docks,..not knowing what they will hit and what 2 tie on your line next,..having somewhat of an idea,..but really not knowing for sure,..makes the "Sport-of-Bassin" alot more enticing for me,..always on the move,..always trying 2 figure them out,..sure beats sitting there watching a worm and bobber,..LOL,..when the Bass weren't biting I used 2 do that and fish for Perch,..now I just keep cranking and sooner or later a Perch always seems 2 find my bait,..LOL,..great replies people,..interesting reads,..keep-em-a-comin!

BB

Started keeping fishing records in 1975 and was obsesssed with exploring different Washington lakes for bass -- And, looking for my PB in each lake. So far I have a record of my Personal Best Bass from more than 275 Washington Lakes, Reservoirs and sloughs. Like BB, I love bass fishing because you are always busy - moving, casting or reeling in a lunker bass.

[BassinBomber]

I also appreciate the challenge of fishing for LMB/SMB,..knowing that a PB is available with every cast,..searching structure, weedlines and docks,..not knowing what they will hit and what 2 tie on your line next,..having somewhat of an idea,..but really not knowing for sure,..makes the "Sport-of-Bassin" alot more enticing for me,..always on the move,..always trying 2 figure them out,..sure beats sitting there watching a worm and bobber,..LOL,..when the Bass weren't biting I used 2 do that and fish for Perch,..now I just keep cranking and sooner or later a Perch always seems 2 find my bait,..LOL,..great replies people,..interesting reads,..keep-em-a-comin!

BB

Started keeping fishing records in 1975 and was obsesssed with exploring different Washington lakes for bass -- And, looking for my PB in each lake. So far I have a record of my Personal Best Bass from more than 275 Washington Lakes, Reservoirs and sloughs. Like BB, I love bass fishing because you are always busy - moving, casting or reeling in a lunker bass.

Wow Bob,..that's alot of Lakes,..you've been a busy Angler,..!

BB