--G--

Was out yesterday for the bass opener.
Having never caught a bass, I had been reading lots and was keen to get out to try catch one.

As always, time was short, so I headed to High Park.
Got there around 4.30pm, left about 7.30pm.
Bright, sunny (27 maybe) some occasional cloud cover.
Water quality is good, very clear. Problem is that there is so much top water algae, and weed growth all next to the east side of the pond, if you want to cast past it, you need to send it 20+ feet.
I walked the up and down the entire length of the pond looking for spots for bass. It was a real challenge, and mostly involved cleaning up my lure after every cast.
I had just bought some spinners, so i was working them, trying to figure out what looked best to me.
The water itself was very busy, lots of people fishing for sunfish.

Having spent most of my time getting frustrated by the weeds, I was heading back to head home, when I happened on a nice little spot with just enough clear water that I thought might be worth it.
Low and behold I managed to get this little guy (on a worm):
 bass2.jpg   235.23KB   327 downloads

My gear is an ugly stick with 30lb test (this really helped me not lose any lures) but on the flip side would have made it so easy to just crank this little guy in. So I had left the drag as slack as I could, and tried to play him more.
What a fish bass are! He was spinning, jumping and diving to shake free. Really impressive fight for such a little fish.

I headed home with a new focus - catch more bass. These things are awesome fun!!

Well, it finally happened! I got my first Pike in Canada!

I had a little time Sunday afternoon, so headed along to Ashbridges Park in the hunt for my first pike. I had been out the island's a couple of times in the last few weeks, on one occasion I did manage to hook a pike, but it spat the lure before I could land it.

Started at around 6pm, fishing the marina area.
Overcast, and looking like a thunderstorm might roll it at any moment.

I had no luck, so moved around to a new spot I never tried before - spotted 3 or 4 really big carp. Tried for a while to catch them, but they had no interest in anything I had to offer. Still - very interesting to watch them so close.

Rain started, light, but heavy enough to send everyone out the park. This was a good thing for me. I went back to the boardwalk that had been too busy with kids, dogs and runners before. Was trying a crank bait I bought recently at one boardwalk, nothing.
It was time to call it a day, so I packed up and was walking out, passing the last boardwalk I thought I would give it a go "just one last cast" I am always thinking....took my favorite red and white spoon...first cast..BAM...pike on.
Put up a real good fight, tried to run under the boardwalk, but I managed to keep it out. It was a real rush to finally get one.
A good looking 28"

I stopped into Ashbridge Park last night.
Only there from around 6.30pm until 8pm.
Weather was fantastic, its a great view of the sunset over the city, very calm waters.
I fished mostly off the wooden dock at the marina - no luck (again!)
I was using mostly spoons, but did switch up to plastics.

I did see some fish breaking the water, I think it was trout...

Met a couple of people there, heard reports about good pike here, but I didnt see any.

Oh, and I did see a beaver...i think he is trying to take that deck home with him! I could hear him chewing away on the deck and then heading off with the wood...entertaining if nothing else!

I stopped into Ashbridge Park last night.
Only there from around 6.30pm until 8pm.
Weather was fantastic, its a great view of the sunset over the city, very calm waters.
I fished mostly off the wooden dock at the marina - no luck (again!)
I was using mostly spoons, but did switch up to plastics.

I did see some fish breaking the water, I think it was trout...

Met a couple of people there, heard reports about good pike here, but I didnt see any.

Oh, and I did see a beaver...i think he is trying to take that deck home with him! I could hear him chewing away on the deck and then heading off with the wood...entertaining if nothing else!

Hey,

I am sure this is a simple enough question - my abu garcia reel that I have started acting strange.
Normally the drag is set pretty tight, but today while out fishing, i got caught on a snag and when since pulling that free the drag on my reel appears to not tighten, even if i screw it right in, i can still pull the line with relative ease.
Is there anything I should try to fix this? I have try adjusting all the way out, and then all the way in, and altough it certainly is a little tighter, it is by no means a tight drag.

Any ideas welcome. I hope I explained this well...