I'm Suffering From Rookieitis

Get a grip dude, those weren't bass. You can't miss a bass on a Senko! Why
would you rig it weedless? How tall can the weeds in Michigan be in
March???

Warren ;-)

"Craig Baugher" wrote in message
news:uvo9c.19661$K91.61995@attbi_s02...
Can't believe it, but I lost three fish today due to premature hookset (he
says hanging his head low in shame). I just couldn't help myself.

I was throwing a senko rigged weedless on a 3/0 hook, fishing a main lake
point in 15-feet of water. The 30-second fall was driving me crazy, so
the
first time I felt that distinctive tap, I instantly set the hook, only to
pull it out of its mouth. Ok, it has been a long winter, we just need to
calm down and remember to count off 2 before burying the hook.

About a dozen casts later, tap, instant wrist snap, and instant regret. I
can't believe I just did that! Dropping my head to my chest and shaking it
in total disbelief, I give myself another pep talk. If I was fishing a
tubebait, this wouldn't have been a problem, but with a weedless rigged
Senko, you need that 2 count. Ok, let's try this again. About two dozen
casts later, the tap, and I instantly snap the wrist, and instantly
recognize the mistake and relax only to feel it hit it a second time. I
can't believe it, but I instantly set the hook again. AGAIN!!! TWICE
ON
THE SAME FISH!!!

I had to just laugh at myself. At that point my cell phone went off, and
it
was my daughter needing a ride. Well my first bass of the year is yet to
come, but it's not due to the fish not cooperating, just my rookieitis.


--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!

I estimate from the lure count down after making contact that the weeds are
about 18"+ in 10'-15' depth range. Clearly visible in 5-feet at about 8".
They are spread out kind of like a checker board (sort of). Weed clump,
hole, weed clump hole, etc.

Since I didn't hook into one long enough to see it, I really can't say what
was hitting it, but it wasn't the usually double or triple tap you get when
a gill, crappie, perch is hitting your lure.

--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!

On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 05:03:12 GMT, "Craig Baugher"
wrote:

Since I didn't hook into one long enough to see it, I really can't say what
was hitting it, but it wasn't the usually double or triple tap you get when
a gill, crappie, perch is hitting your lure.

Where you're at...if you're sure it wasn't a perch...I'll say
10-1 that it was a very small bass (4-7"). If you get into a
situation where this is happening repeatedly and you still can't get a
hook set...switch to a small straight 4" Kunkel's type worm that has
the 3 small hooks exposed or to a 4" worm or tube (won't work as good
as the Kunkel's...but will catch these small bass occasionally).

Even with niice sized fish, I always miss more fish in the early
spring time..probably bc a lot of bass are still sluggish. The good
news is that you can finesse sluggish fish with smaller cranks or
twitch baits or go to a jig and work em' more slowly.

Which reminds me...I've had quite a bit of success this early
spring on my small 15 acre lake and a couple other ponds fishing with
a new jiig called the Booyah jig. I've been primarily using a 1/2 oz
and 3/8 oz jig tipped with a Zoom Super Chunk or Super Chunk Jr.
(usually blue, black or watermelon). This jig looks good in the
water...has the right kind of fall...and is a tad more compact in the
water than most jigs. It goes thru heavy stuff good and does a decent
job coming out clean in grass/junk. Like most companies, I think
there could be some improvements with the jig (sparkles on the jig
head, more flash colors) See
http://www.booyahbaits.com/by_newprod.htm#BooJig
or for colors at
http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet...arget=bro wse

--
Dwayne E. Cooper, Atty at Law
Indianapolis, IN
Email:
Web Page: http://www.cooperlegalservices.com
Personal Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/OnTheWater
Favorite Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosiertradingpost.com/FishingTackle
1st Annual ROFB Classic Winner

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
Get a grip dude, those weren't bass. You can't miss a bass on a Senko!
Why
would you rig it weedless? How tall can the weeds in Michigan be in
March???

Your're kidding right? I take that as a challenge. Come on out and I'll
show you how I can deliberately miss Senko fish. HA! All you gotta bring
is your license.

P.S. Don't feel bad Craig. I missed two senko fish today for the opposite
reason. I never burried the hook.

--
Public Fishing Forums
Fishing Link Index
www.YumaBassMan.com

webmaster
at
YumaBsssMan
dot
com


Warren ;-)

"Craig Baugher" wrote in message
news:uvo9c.19661$K91.61995@attbi_s02...
Can't believe it, but I lost three fish today due to premature hookset
(he
says hanging his head low in shame). I just couldn't help myself.

I was throwing a senko rigged weedless on a 3/0 hook, fishing a main
lake
point in 15-feet of water. The 30-second fall was driving me crazy, so
the
first time I felt that distinctive tap, I instantly set the hook, only
to
pull it out of its mouth. Ok, it has been a long winter, we just need
to
calm down and remember to count off 2 before burying the hook.

About a dozen casts later, tap, instant wrist snap, and instant regret.
I
can't believe I just did that! Dropping my head to my chest and shaking
it
in total disbelief, I give myself another pep talk. If I was fishing a
tubebait, this wouldn't have been a problem, but with a weedless rigged
Senko, you need that 2 count. Ok, let's try this again. About two dozen
casts later, the tap, and I instantly snap the wrist, and instantly
recognize the mistake and relax only to feel it hit it a second time. I
can't believe it, but I instantly set the hook again. AGAIN!!! TWICE
ON
THE SAME FISH!!!

I had to just laugh at myself. At that point my cell phone went off,
and
it
was my daughter needing a ride. Well my first bass of the year is yet
to
come, but it's not due to the fish not cooperating, just my rookieitis.


--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!