A fishing first: Top-water bigmouths

[SteveO]

Let me preface this - I grew up in Northern Ontario and there was nary a largemouth to be found, and I just started fishing around Ottawa last summer. So after seeing countless largemouth reports, and hearing about these top water explosions it was time to get out there and get'er done.

Thanks to my buddy Chris for leading by example and also lending me his baitcaster.

...now if I could just figure out the secret to getting a 5 pounder.

<img src="http://lh5.google.com/steve.mate/RpWb2z ... C01620.JPG">

<img src="http://lh4.google.com/steve.mate/RpWb4j ... C01624.JPG">

[slop]

Looking good so far Steve! Coming from where there is 'nary' a largie to be found, those fish easily go 5 pounds I'd say yer not too far away from your goal

[Badger Shark]

Nice bucket Steve!

[boozer]

Try Popping a large Chug bug, or running a large jidderbug at night. We always had good success at night on White lake, just a hope skip and a jump from Ottawa.
One evening, it just got dark, and my buddy was using the 4 3/4" chug bug, he caught 2 bass, one on each hook of the lure. one was 19" and the other was 23". Sorry i dont know the weights of the fish, but where im from we measure fish by inches, and not pounds.
I netted them for him. and the great netter that i am, i only got the small one in the net. but we ended up getting both fish.

[Gord]

Nice job lad!!

[baz fish]

nice bass man .

[almontefisher]

Steve-O: Have you ever used a baitcaster before cause I did not hear you say anything about birdsnests...You guys get me so upset sometimes cause every cast I make with one takes me 10 minutes to untangle. I hate them with a passion but understand how important they can be. I need to get out with someone who uses them all the time so they can teach me the drag control etc. Anyone here got patience for a lack luster baitcaster attempt??

[Fishhawk]

The secret to getting a five pounder... keep fishing and fishing and fishing in waters that produce them that big and odds are you will get one.

To put things in perspective, I have fished many a tournament that is loaded with 100 great anglers. At the end of the day when the fish are being weighed, there is often not a 5 pounder to be seen.

Not all bodies of water are created equal. Let's face it - you increase your odds significantly by learning where the fish are bigger. Even so, they are not great odds for the typical recreational angler like you and I. Big Jim and the best tournament anglers around Ottawa may get them with some regularity, but I am amazed at the difference in skill and knowledge between them and us.

[SteveO]

Hi Almonte -

I did use one; my friend lent me his Shimano Crestfire reel and I did not have much trouble with bird-nests (initially I did, but it was due to the line not passing through the moving guide that distributes the line evenly onto the spool). I did not adjust the main brake, and had the magnetic brake cranked up to the max.

I remember years ago getting birds nests like crazy; the reel improvements and the new line technology has made using these reels a lot more enjoyable.

(BTW - I'm looking for a used LH retrieve baitcaster if anyone has an extra one )

___________________________________________________________

Here are some reasons for using a baitcaster:

1. They are fun.
2. You can use heavier/ braided lines and heavier lures.
3. Casting control: when casting into shore / cover, slowing and stopping the bait with your thumb.
4. Quick action: you can get off more casts, and when you lure hits the water just tap the handle and your engaged; no flipping the bail delay.

[BronzeBack]

Some nice buckets. I've found that in the evening using a Zara Spook with aggressive walking punctuated by short rests has netted me many fish in 'larger' size).

[beachburger]

Nice job SteveO. There are few things that are as much of a hoot as a something smashing a topwater.