What's your first fish of 2022?

[BilletHead]

5 hours ago, Linhardt said:

Had one almost 20 years ago about that size fishing same spot I mention earlier on Truman Spillway.  But this one took the topwater spook and buried one of the treble hooks in my thumb when I grabbed him.  So I am standing there deep hooked fish and deep hooked thumb at the same time and rod in other hand.  I was having a hard time holding on to him because of his shaking so much.  Was trying decide how I am going to unhook the fish and then my thumb with only one free hand.  Went to grab some forceps to get it out of fish and that is when he solved it himself.  By shaking so hard that I lost grip and he ripped it back out my thumb.  I was bleeding everywhere.  So then I release him.  Luckily I had some first aid stuff in my tackle bag.  Just wiped it good with alcohol swab and taped it up tight.  Then I grabbed my rod because a new feeding frenzy was hitting again in front of me.  It is so much fun when they all hit the surface after shad and you are almost guaranteed a instant hit hoping for the a big one.  Really gets the adrenaline pumping.  After that I immediately bought the smaller boca grip for landing the big ones.

                    Been there done that Anthony! Except I had to pull hook out myself and yes went back to the feeding frenzy. The long Hog stick. You fish below Truman might rember them. 

   Good to see you posting man.

[Fish24/7]

First trip of 2022 and my first cast got this Spotted bass from Bull Shoals yesterday on a 3" finesse prototype soft plastic swimbait.

Second cast.. caught 8 in about ten minutes then I guess they got spooked or left or whatever. Typical winter bite. I might have been a little late to the party too..don't know.

[Linhardt]

On 1/14/2022 at 3:49 PM, BilletHead said:

                    Been there done that Anthony! Except I had to pull hook out myself and yes went back to the feeding frenzy. The long Hog stick. You fish below Truman might rember them. 

   Good to see you posting man.

Yep.  I usually used a white hog stick.  I still have a couple along with yellow one.

[BilletHead]

2 minutes ago, Linhardt said:

Yep.  I usually used a white hog stick.  I still have a couple along with yellow one.

    I think three white and one chartreuse left for me. Spend my time now with fly rod in my hands for them :). 

[Linhardt]

19 hours ago, BilletHead said:

    I think three white and one chartreuse left for me. Spend my time now with fly rod in my hands for them :). 

Haven't used a flyrod for them, but may give it a try sometime.  Will have to get another fly rod in probably 6 or 7 weight in 8 or 9 foot length.  Then I can use heavier flies and cast a lot further.  The rods I have now are a lot lighter weight and shorter length I use down at Bennett Springs.  Not much need to cast very far down there.

[FishnDave]

Barely squeaked in a fishing trip before the end of January!  @Ham introduced me to a new-to-me species....Ozark Sculpins!  Caught at least 10 sculpins...not sure if they are all Ozarks or not. The location we fished has Banded and Mottled Sculpins as well.

Also caught some Rainbow Trout, 3 Smallmouth Bass, 1 Striped Shiner, 1 bluegill, and one green sunfish.

 

[Johnsfolly]

16 minutes ago, FishnDave said:

Barely squeaked in a fishing trip before the end of January!  @Ham introduced me to a new-to-me species....Ozark Sculpins!  Caught at least 10 sculpins...not sure if they are all Ozarks or not. The location we fished has Banded and Mottled Sculpins as well.

Also caught some Rainbow Trout, 3 Smallmouth Bass, 1 Striped Shiner, 1 bluegill, and one green sunfish.

 

Congrats Dave! Catching sculpin can get addictive 😉.

[FishnDave]

4 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

Congrats Dave! Catching sculpin can get addictive 😉.

Thanks!  Yes, they are a very cool fish!  

[LittleRedFisherman]

Looks this was my first one in 2022 caught on norfork lake 

[JestersHK]

Man I fully expected my first fish to be a stinkin pet bass or big red ear out of my ponds, turns out my first fish was bait!  In the form of catching sculpins to help @Sethtake 2nd place at RAW tourney. 

It was a frosty night and both our boat partners busted their butts on the ice at Cooper creek.  That didn't stop them from pulling light duty and spot lighting the little monster bait fish.   I did sling 3 or 4 up onto the hand rails where they froze to immediately.  Had to pry and cut them off. 

Seth launched one to the upper stratosphere that we found later walking out stuck in the snow.   Caught a fish on that one too boot!

Go figure i catch a micro as my first 2022 fish lol.   Your rubbing off on me John!