How many times have we turned on the TV to our favorite fishing show and see the Host fighting with a very nice bass? With all the excitement going on did you notice just how much that bass was dancing & walking on top of the water? In order to make the show more interesting and keep us on the edge of our chairs they just let that big ole bass dance all over the place. If you are like me, you were probably thinking just put that big bass in the boat, right? Sometimes I think that as tournament anglers we miss some of the most exciting and mystery ways of our great friend, Mr. Bass. Now I know that if you watch Mike Iaconelli or some of the other pro’s they will do a lot of boat dancing in order to land that good fish. Some of this could be a little overkill at times but heck; it’s their limelight and show time. I’m almost sure that we too have also done a little dance or two in our own boat at one time or another while trying to land that good tournament winning bass.
As tournament fishing goes there are only a few things on our minds, that is a good hook set and how fast can we put that fish in the livewell. Never mind all that dancing and walking on water, just put the bass in the livewell and hope for a pay check! This begins from the time we figure out the unpredictable ways of the bass, to the setting of the hook and landing him, that we seem to lose most of the showmanship that Mr. Bass has to offer us. Like most anglers, the moment you set the hook, you have your rod tip in the water an extra 2’ feet deep and your reel is smoking from the high speed gear area, as we try to rush that bass into the boat before he shakes the hook loose. We never seem to have the time for the “song and dance” show that Mr. Bass has to offer.
I’m not saying that this is wrong by no means, but sometimes in our fast paced world we all seem to forget to “Stop and Smell the Roses”. In our case we have just missed a very spectacular show that Mr. Bass puts on every time he is hooked. It doesn’t matter what size he is, he always puts up a battle as he dance’s across the top of the water. I believe that this is one of the many things that make our sport so great. Just being able to play hookie from work, go fishing, enjoy the outdoors and Dance with bass is worth it all.
In fact, next fishing trip I think I will just take a child with me so that we can both enjoy some of bass fishing’s greatest moments. Maybe the child or the child inside me will be the lucky one who gets to hang on as Mr. Bass puts on his magical dancing show.
Until next time, please remember to take the time to stop and smell the roses so that you may enjoy all of God’s great gifts in life. From the simple things as smelling a rose, to taking the time to share with someone you love. Please take a child fishing with you when you can, it just might be their first Pro Start in Life or that first page in their “log book”. It just might even make you a star for the day in their little eyes. Foremost, please remember our Troops over seas; it is because of them that we have this great Freedom of ours! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS.
Tight lines & happy fishing,
Ricky Ingram
ricky.ingram@ultimatebass.com
