Dropshot, CFF #9, Bass, 8/21/2015, Dusty McCormick

[Dropshot]

We got everyone on their way then headed down to our usual night time slough. Got there to find some bass schooled up after baitfish and quickly caught 4-5 fish, all a little short of keeper size. Dusty then hooks one and tries to swing into the boat, the keeper size fish bounces off, hits the gumwale and back into the tank. One keeper gone. About 2-3 casts later, after adjusting the lights on the boat, a nice keeper fish jumps on the prop bait sitting in the water, but with too much slack I cannot get a solid hookset and the fish comes loose. Two keeper's gone. I then decided to pick up a chatterbait and work it through the grass, very thick on one side of the slough. On the first cast I rip the bait through the grass and it stays heavy, then starts pulling back. I fight with the fish, with it staying down all the way to about6 feet of the boat, where it apparently sees the boat and makes one quick turn...and comes off, with the large silhouette of the fish reminding me of the 8+ I caught in the same place a few years ago. Three strikes you are out! As it got dark we tried to regroup, with me getting on a pattern of small fish on a shaky head where I boated probably 12-15 fish just on that bait throughout the evening. We did manage one keeper late in the evening, as well as a scrony little 12.5 inch spotted bass that took some money out of Gary's pocket. As I joked, that 8.18 monster of his probably regurgitated that spotted bass I caught. </p>

It has been a tough year for us. It all comes down to efficiency, and in terms of that, this season has sucked. When you let too many big fish get off, you don'tfinish well. This has definitely been a season of missed opportunities. But look at the bright side.Many, many people would rather be out doing what we get to dothan what they can do. Blessed to be able to fish and compete.</p>

 

[Jmax]

Very blessed! I agree completely with that statement. emoAngel Jmax

 

[swin]

Agreed we are truly blessed