Adventure: On June 20, 2020, Jaime and I loaded up and headed to our local conservation club lake. Armed with one of her inflatable paddleboards, 2 fishing rods, and a handful of baits, we were off! It was a little warm and breezy with thunderstorms on their way. I helped Jaime launch her paddleboard, and I started fishing from the bank. I was trying a new technique that I felt sure would tempt some largemouth bass into eating. I was able to get the two fish pictured to eat it on almost back to back casts. Both fish were released immediately after the photograph.
Jaime was getting a good workout in while fighting the breeze on her paddleboard, which was stronger on the north end of the lake. I was in the mid-section of the lake making my casts to a floating dock and parallel with the bank and not really bothered by the wind. I was able to capture the pictures at a good time when Jaime was relatively close by on her paddleboard in the background.
Attire: The air temperature was near 90 degrees, so the attire for the mid-afternoon adventure was light-weight, breathable, and sun blocking clothing. We both had gloves on that served the same purpose. Got to have sun protection!
Fishing gear: My fishing gear consisted of one spinning rod and reel in medium action spooled with 10 lb. test fluorocarbon line and one baitcasting rod in medium-heavy action spooled with 12 lb. test monofilament line. I had a buzz toad tied on the baitcaster to fish some top water around the bank grass, but could not get any fish interested in eating it. New technique: Both fish pictured were caught on the spinning rod with a “child rigged” straight tail worm fished on the bottom. The rig is very similar to a “Texas rig”, with the exception that a weight is inserted in the tail of the worm. It is said that the rig is so easy to catch fish on that a child can do it.
End of adventure: After about an hour and a half, Jaime was finished with her paddleboard, and I could not get any other bites except from some small sun-fish. So, we decided to pack up. As we were loading the truck with our gear, we heard a rumble of thunder and knew it was definitely time to head home. All in all, it was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy nature the way we like to.