I'm Suffering From Rookieitis

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!

In your own words Craig "relax & have fun" Need I say
more.............hehehe!

--
"The Shadow"
Millennium Rods
"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!

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!

Oh, and you're WAAAAAYY to old to be considereda rookie at anything...

WW

"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!

HEY! 45 is NOT OLD. . . its middle age. Punk kids. . . . what the hell we
going to do with them.

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

"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!

Had a blast Dave! Totally!!!

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

Hey Craig,
Don't be too hard on yourself, everyone miss fish on the hookset at times.
Some days you just have the timing, and some days you don't. That's just
fishing.
I, too, tend to use the quick wrist hookset. what I have learned to do
with all worm rigs is to get into the habit of dropping the rod tip toward
the fish, take up the slack, and then set the hook. This will tend to give
you the 2 second pause that is needed.
Anyway, glad you had fun and at least you were getting some action and
it wasn't on of those days when you can't buy a tap. lol!

Keep your line wet!
--
Doyce





"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!

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