First Fish Of 2023

Been a long time since I fished. Made a short drive to Lake Des Arc hoping to get on a constant bite from some bluegill. Well that didn’t happen. I caught only one fish….an 11 inch bass. Lots of folks fishing in boats there but none that I talked to had caught a thing. What I know is it sure felt good to feel that fish on the Fine Tail Banshee! Caught it on a Sow Bug colored Trout Magnet using the Varivas 2.3# test ES2 Lemoni Ester line. Will continue to check out this lake as it is supposed to contain a good population of bluegill.

Regards

Attachment 451304Attachment 451305


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Beautiful looking piece of water, Randy. That is a nice looking bass, and sure beats a skunk.
Bob

Pretty spot !
Congrats on getting out and getting the skunk off .
Those green fish are fun .

Nice one. Beautiful scenery

Very nice. Have you decided on a boat yet?

Congrats on your first of many for 2023 !

Beats a skink! Thanks for sharing

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Very nice. Have you decided on a boat yet?

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Dave I have not. While my mind is not completely set in all likelihood I will not get a boat. To get a boat I want…rig it like I want….I would be out about 38 thousand. That will pay for a lot of guide trips. I will try it for a while with guides and see how I like it. Nowadays I only spend about 4 hours on the water. For a half day guided trout trip I would be out about 250 bucks….depends on how much I tip. And there are some part time guides I can get a half day trip for 150 bucks. The issues will be when I want to chase panfish. Several good spots close to me and I would really need a boat to fish them. I have feelers out to get info on the locals who fish these small bodies of water who may want to take someone out with them for a small fee. I know that back in TN there were several that did that to offset the cost of their hobby. Had I not sold my boat I would probably already been using it. What it comes down to is I’m not sure I want to fool with a boat….LOL. I guess age can bring that on. I do know that the fishing gene runs deep in me and if I am not happy with my trial runs with guides I’ll just hit the boat dealer and write the check…LOL.

Regards

Just gonna throw it out there. Thought about a kayak for those panfish trips?

Or maybe a plastic boat like a Pelican Bass Raider, Bass Hunter , etc. I have a twin troller x10 and it does fine for panfish. I don’t go far or fast but I’m on the water :)

I’m thinking about getting a epropulsion spirit 1.0 electric outboard. It’s rated at 3hp. Only downside it comes in right around $2600 - likely still worth it.


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Congrats on the first fish, even if it was green. I know about being away for too long and you’re right, it does feel good. Sure a pretty place one way or the other.

As for the boat, my opinion ain’t a kayak. We need more elbow room and stability. My thought is an aluminum boat that doesn’t cost the farm and an occasional guide trip for those special days. No guide can compare with a day alone and smacking gills. Bare bones boats don’t need inside storage unless the HOA says they must. My outboard is an ‘03 Mercury with electric start and a front mounted shifter. Turn the handle normal direction for forward and the other for reverse. I have no interest in leaning over the transom to shift or a pull start motor. I used to wonder why there was electric start ten horse motors and now I don't ask anymore. Hope you find what you need.

sometimes I loathe bass , sometimes not so much , something pulling on the line beats nothing
congrats and KABOOM

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Congrats on the first fish, even if it was green. I know about being away for too long and you’re right, it does feel good. Sure a pretty place one way or the other.

As for the boat, my opinion ain’t a kayak. We need more elbow room and stability. My thought is an aluminum boat that doesn’t cost the farm and an occasional guide trip for those special days. No guide can compare with a day alone and smacking gills. Bare bones boats don’t need inside storage unless the HOA says they must. My outboard is an ‘03 Mercury with electric start and a front mounted shifter. Turn the handle normal direction for forward and the other for reverse. I have no interest in leaning over the transom to shift or a pull start motor. I used to wonder why there was electric start ten horse motors and now I don't ask anymore. Hope you find what you need.

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Thanks…that’s an idea for sure.

Regards


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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Just gonna throw it out there. Thought about a kayak for those panfish trips?

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Dave I wish I could still do kayak fishing but those days are gone. I enjoyed it for 4 years and did it durn near 5 days a week until 2015. Sold all my kayaks…trailer…everything. Here is pic of my next to last kayak.

Regards Attachment 451533


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I hear ya Randy. Age, health issues take their toll. I have a Malibu mini X that has sat in the garage for years and will never see me in it again. I do need to sell it to a good home.
Bob