Bass & Perch

[Day's Fishin]

What to do on Christmas Day? Take the grandchildren fishing and teach them how to bass and perch fish. The weather wasn't the best but this was good as we were going to fish mid afternoon and if it was too bright the fish wouldn't come on the bite especially as we wanted them to fight in the open so the little ones could see the hit and learn how to guide the fish to the fishing platform without worrying about structures at this stage in their fishing tuition. A couple of tentative casts to teach them how to retrieve the lure and induce a strike. After 20 minutes it was on, the little bloke 'Zane' 3 years old had a small bass follow and take his lure, he had a great time winding the fish in even though it was a small one. They still fight well on light gear and to Zane it wasn't small being his first bass. Zane caught 2 both around the same size in about 35 minutes.

Now it was his older sisters turn 'Jordan' 4 years old not really keen on fishing but after watching Zane wasn't about to let her little brother take the limelight. A few tests casts and she was feeling confident she could catch 1 or 2 as well. It wasn't long and she was on, a good strike as the perch jumped clear of the water after taking the lure and was quickly brought in. Jordan wasn't taking any chances as she cranked the perch in at the rate of knots taking no notice of her dad 'Heath' instructing her to slow down and enjoy the fight.

Now it was my son 'Heath's' turn to show his little ones how it is done. After about 20 casts and no strikes we started to needle him about Zane and Jordan being better than him. Then all of a sudden there was a swirl behind his lure, letting the lure drop back a bit and then bringing it in on a different retrieve produced nothing. He cast again towards the same submerged structure and just as the lure hit the water it was taken. The rod bowed down the line started peeling off, quickly he stopped the run before it could reach any snag. The fish put up a great fight dancing and splashing all the way into the bank. A fine healthy silver perch. After a couple of pictures she was put back to fight another day. Maybe Zane and Jordan will catch one like this soon.

Regards, Jeff

Edited December 26, 2009 by Day's Fishin