Finally got to go fishing

[gunwhatgun]

We finally got a change to do a little fishing yesterday. With the crazy heat, and the low water, combined with being very busy with work the past three weeks, fishing time has been non-existent. Yesterday we had an unexpected lull and the temps were nice, so we hooked up and went.

Not only was this the first trip with the new Garmin sonar, I also got to try some new gear that I bought. First off, to everyone who recommended Garmin to me in my thread in the electronics section, thank you so much lol. The difference between this unit and my old HB is night and day. I know this one is much bigger and I have no idea if an Echomap is an apples to apples comparison to a Helix but WOW, the detail and ease of use is just amazing. At two spots, for the first time in my life I called my shots lol. I told my wife twice, "cast right of the back corner of the boat and you should get into some fish", and she did.

Second, not only has all my gear become JDM gear, but yesterday was my first time using CDC JDM gear lol. I fished most of the evening with a Lunakia that I bought from a member here and well as a Luvias that I bought here as well. The bluegill pic is the first fish I caught on the rig, and man, what nice setup that is. I have never owned a combo that can cast a tiny 1.25 jig as far and smoothly as the Lunakia. It is just crazy.

Lastly, a PB for me, the biggest small mouth I have ever caught. They are not very prevalent around here so getting one at all is a treat. The Mrs. got a big one in the early spring and we have seen a very small samples this season but nothing like this one. It was right as 15 inches and tipped the scale right at 2lbs. I know that is not a whopper of a smallie but it is the best one I have ever caught, and on that Lunakia it might as well have been a 30lb carp. That fish had no intentions of coming to the boat and I was terrified to tighten my drag for fear it would break my new rod.

I know this is long but I just want to say thank you to all the folks here that share knowledge, wisdom, and just general thoughts on our favorite pass time. I have been fishing for as long as I can remember, and my fishing has changed more in the past 3 or four years from things I have learned here than any other time I can remember.