7/01/06--New Lake--New Shiryu Rod--First Bass for both

[Lightninrod]

Got to the 106 acre Ocmulgee PFA for the fourth time today at 11 AM. The first 3 trips were Bassless. Water temp went from 89 up to 92 degrees F. Water is green-stained but clear. Sunny, air temps were at 97 degrees F when I left at 1:30 PM. About a dozen boats on the water with several bank fishers.

The first hour and half was spent pitchin' a T-rigged Long Ika and crankin' in 12-17' with no bites. I saw no one else catchin' anything either. Ate my sandwich as I motored towards the upper, shallow end.

Got my new MB rod out again with a shallow runnin' cr/bait on it and started bangin' into wood and digging near the bottom in 3-7' of hot water. Threw it past a visible stump out from the Southern bank at about 1 PM. Whoops, snagged a branch....nope, Bass on.

She was not glad to be hooked! We tugged back-n-forth and then she went hard and fast away when she saw the boat. When I lipped her, just one rear prong was hangin' on. The Shiryu lived up to its reputation and was a joy as I played that fiesty Bass.

Had just one other pick-up on a wacky-rigged Senko a few minutes later but I pulled the hook into a limb and missed the second fish.


5 lbs, 6 ozs---20"

Bait

Again


Dan

[PortLavacaDrifter]

great fish, i always enjoy your pics. thx for sharing.

[Cal]

Nice Dan... very worthy first fish

Almost looks like an RI Method Crank but the head isn't pointy enough and I don't think they come in that color... same kind of diving lip though. Or is that one of Chip's new baits?

[goldenorange]

Super fish. I know I would brave 97 degrees to catch a beauty like that!

[Nautilus]

Nice fish Lightnin!! I've gotta have that rod....you're making me jealous with every pic......next on my list for sure!!

Question: Being a glass rod, is the last third of the rod forgiving enough to drift with shad and have them not get beat up with the boat rocking? This is why I want a glass rod but since I can't go pick one up at Bass Pro and inspect it, I need some confirmation that its limber enough for livebait drifting. The fish will be big but the bait needs a forgiving rod......would it be right for me?

Thanks Lightninrod!!

[D.R.]

way to go Dan.

D.R.

[Bass Pro]

Nice rod, reel, and fish!

[Lightninrod]

Thanks y'all.

Nautilus: No, I wouldn't describe the lower portion as being flexable. It's fairly stout in that area but keep in mind, I've caught just one Bass on it and, I've never trolled with live bait. I'm still gussing it would be too stiff for that though?

Cal: No, it's a bait made by a Japanese Pro living in Alabama.


Dan

[Nautilus]

Dan,

I meant the front third or tip of the rod......not the lower....sorry for the wrong choice of words.....I bet that rod is perfect for what I want. As long as the top half has plenty of bend.....somewhat slow action.....is it?

[Lightninrod]

Pic from Cal's review:




I still can't recommend it for your application as I am at a total loss when it comes to live-bait fishing

Dan

[Greasemonkey]

Nice fish!

[Nautilus]

Thanks Dan,

I was really just wanting to know if the tip was forgiving like most glass rods. This rod being some exotic glass composite, I wasn't sure. Don't matter though, I still want it and will use it regardless of whether its perfect for my application or not.

Thanks and NICE ROD!!