Much Tougher Bite For Me Today

[Bill Babler]

Got out today hitting the water out of Indian Point at 5:15 out in great shape. Picked up the Texacans at the ramp. Both told me they could throw baitcasters and were about as good a fishermen as I would have this year. That worried me a bit.

First location was a long gravel runout and swimming a grub and the PigSticker were in order. Right off the bat, Russ in the back reeled a nice jaw in. Chuck caught up quick on the jig, with another. Ended up on the spot with 9 total and 4 nice keeps. .

Guess it was then to early for the boys, cause they just fell apart. Next cast on the new location, found the top of my seat on the back cast. The PigSticker was sharp and it cut a clean as a whistle 2 inch slice complete thru the seat into the foam. A very nice piece of seat foam was still on the hook. The Steez, was just spooled with new 12 pound Seugar, needless to say was about the size of a softball and alot furrier.

A few minutes later Russ in the back set the hook so hard the jig came sizzling back and if you can believe it, stuck in the cowling of the Merc. " That left a Mark." Never had a bait stick in an outboard motor before. "Hey, that was a First."

Just a few casts later Russ again whaled back on the jig rod and at the same time pushed the spool release of the Steez. Again, every bit of Carbon line came out the reel window, it was gone. Two reels, one seat and one motor cowling in about an hour. Not a bad start.

Next location, and I will tell you my nerves are just about shot. A huge Jaw, is jumping out in front of us. I had changed Russ back to a spinning rod, as I was going in the hole bad on this deal. I said Russ you have a 4 pound fish jumping in front of you. He said no I don't. About that time the fish came up again cartwheeling and throwing water in a fantastic display of Brown BAss Meanness and threw the grub completely over the boat. He said," these fish sure don't pull much."

We caught several more, but not many. The wind was pretty much out of my sales by them. Both of them commented the Steez reels were not very good or they would not have backlashed like that. I just shook my head and said yes, I am saving to buy Bass Pro Shop Pflughers, but just have not been able to get that much cash together, with boat repair bills and all.

Another great day on the Pond. And you want to be a Fishing Guide.

Names have been changed to protect the guilty.

Good Luck Out there.

[Tfsh4bass]

Something in the air today Bill...I was reeling in a nice smallmouth and all of sudden she jumped and my football jig shot out right into the top of my passenger windshield. Needless to say I have a nice chunk out of the top of it now and will call my buddy at Polyfab tomorrow.

[Bill Babler]

Tfish, it is amazing the speed and power of a 1/2 oz. FB coming back at you faster than it went out. I feel your pain, and am glad for us both it was the boat instead of our heads.

Probably a good lesson for both of us and everyone else, to always wear those glasses. Sorry about the shield.

Good Luck

[snakem]

Tfish, it is amazing the speed and power of a 1/2 oz. FB coming back at you faster than it went out. I feel your pain, and am glad for us both it was the boat instead of our heads.

Probably a good lesson for both of us and everyone else, to always wear those glasses. Sorry about the shield.

Good Luck

Bill so sorry to here about the seat and all,glad i was not close by. Might have lost a lower unit the way them boys were jerking. again sorry about your misfortune.

Snakem Out.

[Quillback]

Sorry to hear about the damage, but I have to admit that it is funny to read. Those backlash incidents are classic!

[Champ188]

Tempted to say unreal but we all know better than to pretend there aren't people out there just that ignorant. Motor cowlings aren't cheap. I know because I bought one just recently.

[edwin]

Hate to say it Bill, but I've been there too. I had a trip like that apprx 10 yrs ago when I caved to years of pressure and took my brother's bro-in-law to LOZ. I'd just bought a new 21' Skeeter...didn't have 10 hrs on it yet. The guy hung up a crankbait on a rock in about 3' of water. I was easing in with the TM, he gave the hookset of his life and launched a baseball sized rock / crankbait combo into the side of the cowling. That Yamahopper cowl cracked wayyy more than I would have expected. We also had a few more episodes with his equipment failures. I let him borrow my then prized Chronarch / Cameron rod (recall those from TR Tackle on Hwy 13?) combo - same deal with backlashes and general abuse of the equipment. I sure wish I could have dropped his *ss off at the dock instead of having to listen to him the entire way back to STL.

My suggestion to you sir - keep a couple less expensive combos in the bottom of the rod locker for folks like this. I have 3 BPS Johnny Morris Signature reels with older rods for that exact purpose. I don't know what it is, but you can sure sense it from the get-go that it's going to be one of those days.

Sorry to hear of the issue. i guess the only good thing is that the guy didn't put the jig in the back of your head

tight lines,

edwin

[Guest csfishinfool]

I worked in a sweaty hot, stinky warehouse today. The same as everyday. a Backlashed reel, a torn seat, and a dented caling...cost 1000 bucks... being on the water everyday, making a living fishin....priceless...just sayin

[abkeenan]

Bill very sorry to hear about yet another disrespectful and ignorant client of yours. Might have to start doing background checks, a 20 minute educational fishing video followed by a 25 question scantron test that must be passed and a triathalon of casting, hooksetting and safe fish handling in order to step into your boat on a guide trip. But like others have mentioned I get a good laugh from these types of post from you. I don't mean to rub it in by any means but I just get mental images of the nonsense that goes on in your beautiful boat with top notch gear and you tell the story so well its hard not to have a giggle. I still remember the post you had about the guys you had on Taney who had dog poo on the shoe and lost a dozen or so of your trout rigs. (didnt mean to remind you of that episode either sorry) Between your great fishing post and not so great menacing clients post I am always on the "edge of my seat" and entertained. Thanks for posting as usual and again sorry to hear about your rough day on the water. Maybe you will be rewarded tomorrow for your torture/patience today.

-Brett

[Bill Babler]

For every day like yesterday, there are a thousand great ones. Don't really know if using less quality equipment would have prevented those backlashes. Kind of doubt it.

Still, if you get in my boat you are going to use the best equipment that I can afford, and it is going to be new.

I had the guests here at the lodge really tickled with my exploits today. Of course the wife just shook her head and said, Let me tell you about my day.

Good Luck