8 year old's first "real" Ozark smallmouth

[OzarkFishman]

Took my boys for some smallmouth fishing on the James (lower).

It was a beautiful late morning, early afternoon. Fish were all over, next to structure, in the middle, shallow, deep, wherever.

Tried multiple lures with varying success, but the lure of the day was the Ned rig. I tried 3 different jigheads and all worked equally well, it was just a fishy day.

Both boys caught plenty of fish, but the young one caught the fish of the day (and best small mouth of his short life).

I was in my 30s before I caught a smallmouth like that. His smile says it all.

 

Hope all of you are taking advantage of the bite, it is GOOD.

 

[Flysmallie]

Nice.

[ness]

Nice going, dad!

[Johnsfolly]

On ‎9‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 2:12 PM, OzarkFishman said:

Hope all of you are taking advantage of the bite, it is GOOD.

 

That's a great smallie! he should remember that one for a long time. Congrats dad for taking your boys out and putting them on some fish.

[OzarkFishman]

Tonight it's time to meet some of my junior high students from my classes at Tracker pond here in Ozark.

Hopefully the fish cooperate and we get some kids on some good largemouth action.

I will post pics if we get any good ones.

I always heard "old people" talk about how they enjoyed watching people catch fish as much as catching fish themselves ... I guess I am an "old" 35 year guy.

 

PS - Talked to my buddy the other day (he knows James better than anyone I know) ... said they were hammering 3.5 paddletails on a jighead ... just passing the info.

 

 

[OzarkFishman]

Ness,

Your signature quote is awesome!

We had a great night at Tracker pond. There were somewhere around 25 students and 35 total people (parents, siblings). We caught somewhere a little over 100 bass. Pond fishing is easy, especially when you tie on a senko for the kids. Multiple kids caught their first fish ever. Fun night.

PS - Phil OR moderator ... I will not post anything else that is not related to James river in this thread! Enjoy your day!

[snagged in outlet 3]

46 minutes ago, OzarkFishman said:

We had a great night at Tracker pond.

Is that the pond by the HWY?

[Johnsfolly]

Looks like the kids had a great time!

[OzarkFishman]

Yes, it is the one by the highway.

It is a cool pond, but really weedy right now so topwater and weightless plastics are about the only option.

The plant manager lets schools and other groups come it, but it is not open to the public.

It is a cool pond with lots of fish. There are some monsters, but after they drained it 4-6 years ago it hasn't produced the big ones like it used to.  Since it has been refilled, we did luck into a 4-5 pounder ... just not the consistent 2-3 pound fish that used to be there.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I remember when it was empty and always wondered if it held fish.